Tutorials How to Backup and Restore Windows Registry

How to Backup and Restore Windows Registry

By Domesticus in Tutorials

Your Windows registry stores important information about your computer including instructions that allow applications to function. The registry knows what kind of hardware you have, what software is installed, and how you have setup Windows. Backing it up when your computer is running well can be very useful if you ever run into problems.

If you are unable to figure out why your computer is crashing, you can try restoring your registry. Why? If your computer is crashing and you are unsure as to why, then restoring a recent working registry can be very helpful and will often fix your problems. However, it is important to first back up your Windows registry before starting the process of restoring it.

How to Backup the Windows Registry (Windows XP)

There are many ways to back up the Windows Registry. The process listed below is the most effective way in Windows XP.

  1. Go to "Start" menu > select "Run" > type "%SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe" > click "OK".
  2. Click "Create a restore point" > click "Next".
  3. Type in a name for the restore point ie: "backup1" > click "Next".
  4. If you receive a message that asks whether you want to turn on System Restore now, then System Restore was turned off. Click "Yes" and then in Systems Properties box, click "Turn off System Restore". Click "OK" and repeat this process (steps 1-4).

Now you have properly backed up your Windows XP registry. Once your backup is complete, you can restore the Windows registry.

How to Restore the Windows Registry (Windows XP)

You can do this similarly to how you backed up your registry. As with the backup procedure, there are many ways for you to do this, however, listed below is the most effective way in Windows XP:

  1. Go to "Start" menu > select "Run" > type "%SystemRoot%\System32\Restore\Rstrui.exe" > click "OK".
  2. Click "Restore my computer to an earlier time" > click "Next".
  3. Click the system checkpoint on the Select a Restore Point page.
  4. Click the entry called "Guided Help (Registry Backup)" in the "On this list select the restore point" area.
  5. Click "Next".
  6. You may get a System Restore message listing configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click "OK".
  7. Confirm the Restore point by clicking "Next".
  8. Your PC will restart. When your PC starts back up, click "OK" when the System Restore confirmation page appears.

Now you have properly restored your Windows XP registry.

How to Backup the Windows Registry (Windows Vista)

There are many ways to back up the Windows Registry. The process listed below is the most effective way in Windows Vista.

  1. Go to "Start" menu > type "systempropertiesprotection" in the Start Search box > press "enter".
  2. Enter your administrator password if you are prompted for it or click "Allow".
  3. Click "Create" in the System Properties box on the System Protection tab.
  4. Type in a name for the restore point ie: backup1.
  5. Click "Create".
  6. After the restore point has been created, click "OK" and click "OK" again.
  7. If System Restore is turned off, you may have to select the local disk and click "Apply" then click "Create".

Now you have properly backed up your Windows Vista registry. Once your backup is complete, you can restore the Windows registry.

How to Restore the Windows Registry (Windows Vista)

You can do this similarly to how you backed up your registry. As with the backup procedure, there are many ways for you to do this, however, listed below is the most effective way in Windows Vista:

  1. Go to "Start" menu > type "systempropertiesprotection" in the Start Search box > press "enter".
  2. Enter your administrator password if you are prompted for it or click "Allow".
  3. Click "System Restore" in the System Properties box on the System Protection tab.
  4. Select the restore point that you wish to use and click "Next".
  5. Confirm the Restore point by clicking "Finish".
  6. Your PC will restart.
  7. When your PC starts back up, click "OK" when the System Restore confirmation page appears.

Now you have properly restored your Windows Vista registry.

If you experience issues after attempting to backup and restore the Windows Registry, you may download SpyHunter's spyware scanner to automatically detect spyware or malware that may have infected your system's registry.

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