Hello Craig,
IMHO, a registry hack is a fairly simple and straightforward solution. If installing Desktop Apps manually, you can just place the exported registry key somewhere and tell the desktop techs to install that one after the Desktop Apps.
Even better way: Apply the registry setting via GPO to all workstations using Desktop Apps.
Did you know that you can even deploy DocuWare Desktop Apps via GPO?
Greetings from Germany,
Simon H. Hellmann
DocuWare System Consultant