Bob,
Couldn't you just change the version number (use a test number) in your project and rebuild your .exe? Install the new .exe to the test directory and it will create the new registry entires for you.
You then continue to build .exe's for your test environment. When you are ready to put out a new production version, change the version number back and build. It is usually risky to build a new .exe and move directly to production. This gives you an intermediate step.
Kind Regards,
Mat