def register(target, current=True, reg_type=winreg.REG_SZ, verbose=True):
    """Register a Python distribution in Windows registry and create Start Menu shortcuts"""
    root = winreg.HKEY_CURRENT_USER if current else winreg.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
    has_pywin32 = _has_pywin32()

    if verbose:
        print(f'Creating WinPython registry entries for {target}')

    permanent_entries, dynamic_entries,  core_entries, lost_entries = register_in_registery(target)
    # Set  registry entries for given target 
    for key_path, name, value in permanent_entries + dynamic_entries + core_entries:
         _set_reg_value(root, key_path, name, value, verbose=verbose)
         
    # Create start menu entries
    if has_pywin32:
        if verbose:
            print(f'Creating WinPython menu for all icons in {target.parent}')
        for path, desc, fname in _get_shortcut_data(target, current=current, has_pywin32=True):
            try:
                create_shortcut(path, desc, fname, verbose=verbose)
            except Exception as e:
                print(f"Error creating shortcut for {desc} at {fname}: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
    else:
        print("Skipping start menu shortcut creation as pywin32 package is needed.")
Register a Python distribution in Windows registry and create Start Menu shortcuts
winpython/associate.py