Guide: How to Backup/Restore Registry Files
Navigating the Registry Editor in Windows 10 can be intimidating, but it’s worth exploring. It contains a wealth of settings and tweaks that are otherwise hard to find. The Registry is a database of configuration settings for Windows, system apps, hardware devices and third-party apps. To ensure your safety while using it, back up and restore registry files regularly and learn how to edit them properly.
Editing registry files is essential for enabling and disabling advanced features and settings in Windows 10. The registry contains instructions and references to system files that are necessary for the proper functioning of software and hardware.
Backing up, restoring and editing registry files can be risky. If done incorrectly, it can lead to data loss and render a computer inoperable. To help protect against this, we’ve created a guide on how to safely back-up, restore and edit registry files.
Registry Editor is a powerful tool that can be used to customize Windows settings. Here’s what you need to know before making changes.
Basic terminology
A registry key typically follows a specific path.
Hives, keys and values are the building blocks of the Windows Registry. Hives are top-level folders such as “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE”, while keys can go deep, divided by backslashes. Values are akin to files and can be found on the right side of the registry.
Warning: Modifying registry keys and values can have serious consequences. We strongly advise against making any changes to your computer unless you are prepared to reinstall Windows, lose data, and reset settings. Do so at your own risk.
How to Edit keys or values in the Registry Editor
To ensure the best results when troubleshooting, it’s recommended to restart your computer in safe mode and back up the registry before making any changes.
If something goes awry, users can recover their computer without having to reinstall or reset the entire operating system by using Registry Editor in Safe Mode to create, delete or edit a key or value.
How to Make regular backupsup of the system registry in Windows 10
Microsoft has announced a change to Windows 10 version 1803, which reduces the operating system’s disk footprint by no longer backing up the ‘system registry’ to the RegBack folder.
Windows’ backup system only covers essential registry keys and values, leaving out third-party applications.
Microsoft has provided a way to keep the option of backing up system registry files open, using the Registry Editor itself. This ironic solution was shared by the Microsoft support team, in order to ensure regular backups.
For those wishing to use the traditional approach, instructions on how to do so can be found at the specified location.
To back up your data, create a DWORD (32-bit) value called EnablePeriodicBackup if it doesn’t already exist. Right click on the right pane and select the value to do so.
To enable the file, double click and set the value to 1.
Restart your computer to initiate the backup process, which Windows has created a task for in Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc). The task is called RegIdleBackup.
How to Manually back upup create / restore the registry
Microsoft recommends backing up registry keys and values by searching for Registry Editor in Windows Search and running it as an administrator.
Choose the key to save and select “Export” from the File menu.
To make restoring your registry key easier, it’s recommended to give the output file the same name as the key when using the export function. This will create a .REG file that can be opened with a text editor such as Notepad.
Exporting all branches is the safest option when uncertain, as you can choose to do so in the export scope.
If you’ve made a mistake, restoring is simple. To get back on track, open the folder where the key is located and select ‘Import’ from the File menu. Then, choose the file and it will be added to Registry Editor.
How to Back-up / restore with restore point
Microsoft experts suggest an alternative approach: creating a restore point. This involves backing up registry files and other essential system files, and is distinct from resetting.
To create a restore point, search for it in the Start menu.
To create a restore point, simply follow the instructions on your screen.
To restore your system to a previous state, simply repeat the steps for creating a restore point, but in the last window click the System Restore button and follow the on-screen instructions.
Bring the clerk
Third-party app MiniTool ShadowMaker can be used to back up and restore registry keys.
Creating a system restore point before making any major changes, such as editing the registry entry, is an easy and free way to protect your Windows OS. Restoring the registry is preferable to reinstalling the entire operating system, which can result in data loss.
Windows 10 users missing features from previous versions of the operating system can now get some of them back. Follow the link for instructions on how to do so.
How to Backup/Restore Registry Files: benefits
Faq
Final note
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If you have any questions about backing up and restoring registry files, please contact us. This guide is for educational purposes only. If you want to correct any misinformation or add more methods, please contact us. For help, use our contact page or follow us on Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter. We answer questions within 24-48 hours (weekends excluded). For the latest software updates and discussion about software, join our Telegram channel.
