Backup and Restore Registry in Windows 8 or 7

Before working in the Windows Registry, it is always a good idea to back it up first, so that you have the option of restoration, should something go wrong. This article shows the different ways to back up and restore the Windows Registry or its Hives.

Backup and Restore Registry

Before you begin, create a System Restore Point first.

Registry Keys that are not backed up when you create a system restore point

Most of the registry is backed up when you create a system restore point. I say most, because the keys that are not included are listed at:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\ControlSet001\Control\BackupRestore\KeysNotToRestore

Backup Registry

You can save or backup your Registry using Regedit or the Registry Editor in Windows. Navigate to the Registry key or Hive that you wish to. To back it up, click File > Export.

You can save or Backup your Registry in the following formats:

• A .reg registration file,
• Registry Hive Files. Saves a binary image
• Text Files which can be read in Notepad
• The older Win9x/NT4 format

Restore the Registry

To restore the registry from an exported hive, in the left pane of the Registry Editor, select the desired Registry key. Click Files > Import on the File menu. Navigate to the backed up file. Click OK to the confirmation prompt.

Alternatively, you can also double-click the backed up .reg file, to directly add it.

Registry Backup Freeware

• RegBack is a nice freeware portable tool that lets you backup and restore the Windows Registry in a few seconds.
• ERUNTgui is a graphic user interface for the popular registry backup and restore program ERUNT and NTREGOPT.

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