Test-Path -Path showing as empty string

Question

I'm trying to use Test-Path in the registry, sample code:

$RegistryLocation = "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*"

This works fine:

Test-Path -Path $RegistryLocation

True. Now without the final asterisk character:

$NewRegistryLocation = $RegistryLocation.Split("*")
Test-Path -Path $NewRegistryLocation

Cannot bind argument to parameter 'Path' because it is an empty string.

But this works (value of $NewRegistryLocation variable):

Test-Path -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\"

What is happening here?

Wouldn't split("*") create an array with the second value being null (part after * in the original string)? Null would result in error. — Frode F.
– Frode F., Commented May 1, 2018 at 10:58
$NewRegistryLocation is not a string but a string array. You can view it's type by $NewRegistryLocation.GetType(). Use$NewRegistryLocation[0] — Lieven Keersmaekers
– Lieven Keersmaekers, Commented May 1, 2018 at 10:58

boxdog · Accepted Answer · 2018-05-01 11:19:13Z

5

The Split() method breaks the string in two every time it finds the character(s) you give it, producing an array. It isn't just removing the character from the end of the string.

There are a number of ways to get around this in your case:

If possible, don't add the asterisk to the string in the first place
Use only the first item in the array: $NewRegistryLocation = $RegistryLocation.Split("*")[0]
Use Split-Path (which does what I think you intended): $NewRegistryLocation = Split-Path -Path $RegistryLocation -Parent
use the -replace operator to remove the asterisk: $NewRegistryLocation = $RegistryLocation -replace "\*",""

Method 3 is probably what I'd recommend as it's a bit more robust and 'PowerShelly'.

answered May 1, 2018 at 11:19

boxdog

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v.karbovnichy · Accepted Answer · 2018-05-01 11:08:31Z

2

Try to replace this line

$NewRegistryLocation = $RegistryLocation.Split("*")

with this

$NewRegistryLocation = $RegistryLocation.Split("*")[0]

so your NewRegistryLocation will still contain a string and not an array.

answered May 1, 2018 at 11:08

v.karbovnichy

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