Backup Windows Registry before something goes wrong
Solution guides on how to make a backup of Windows registry.
Why Backup The Windows Registry?
 Microsoft Windows stores its configuration information in a database called the registry. The registry is the central storage for all computer configuration data. The Windows system configuration, the computer hardware configuration, information about installed programs, the types of documents that each program can create, and user preferences are all stored in the registry. The registry is just a set of files like everything else, so it is vulnerable to corruption or damage.
For example, something like a virus is capable of damaging the registry files and making your computer very difficult to use. Another example could be your little nephew Jimmy who fancies himself a computer hacker, and decides to practice on your computer. All of a sudden, your computer doesn't boot up! Now what? Well, if you have a backup of the registry, you'll be safe from those types of incidents.
Also, even though registry repair tools are great, it's ALWAYS a prudent idea to make a manual backup of your registry yourself before you run those programs. It only takes about 23 seconds to give yourself some peace of mind.
By creating a registry backup you can put your system back the way it was before any changes or damages occur.
Five Ways To Backup Windows Registry
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Using System Restore
When we create a system restore point in Windows XP, it backs up the following items:
- Registry
- DllCache
- Local User Profile
- COM+ and WMI databases
- IIS Metabase
So if you want to backup the registry, creating a restore point is the safest way to do so. To create a restore point go to Start –> All Programs –> Accessories –> System Tools –> System Restore. Create a system restore point from there.
- Backing up Individual registry keys
If you want to backup individual registry keys, go to Start –> Run –> regedit
This will open the registry editor. Go to the registry you want to backup, right click it and select Export.
- Backing up the whole registry
To backup the whole registry, go to Start –> Run –> regedit
This will open the registry editor. Go to File –> Export. This will open the save registry dialog. After the name, select “All” from Export Range and save the registry.
- Using NTBackup utility
Using the Windows backup utility, we can save the system state including the registry and all the files and folders we wish to backup. To use the Windows backup utility, go to Start –> Run –> ntbackup.
This will open the backup utility. Start the backup Wizard and select “Only select system state data”
If you want to backup the whole system, the select “Backup everything on this computer”
- Using command line
To backup the registry from the command line, use the following commands:
REG EXPORT KeyName FileName
Keyname ROOTKEY\SubKey (local machine only)
ROOTKEY [ HKLM | HKCU | HKCR | HKU | HKCC ]
SubKey The full name of a registry key under the selected ROOTKEY
FileName The name of the disk file to export
Examples:
REG EXPORT HKLM\Software\MyCo\MyApp AppBkUp.reg
Exports all subkeys and values of the key MyApp to the file AppBkUp.reg
It is also recommended you backup the registry file to another computer or to a diskette or CD. Sometimes when the windows registry is corrupted, you may not be able to boot into windows at all.
The windows registry is one of the most critical files on your computer, so make sure you backup a copy and only edit or remove an entry in the registry if you know what you are doing.
Making a backup of the Windows registry is an important thing, and something everyone can do. I mean everyone! It's rather simple, and could potentially save your butt in the time of a catastrophic registry breakdown. Also, it's a very good idea to manually make a backup before performing any sort of work on the registry-whether by yourself or with a registry repair program.
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Clean invalid Windows System registry
