In Windows 2000, XP, and Vista, how do I back up the registry?

Under certain circumstances, you may need to restore the Windows registry from a backup file. For best results, UITS recommends that you create this backup file, as well as backups of other important documents, at a time when your computer is problem-free.

To back up the registry in 2000, XP, or Vista, follow the appropriate steps below.

On this page:

• With Regedit
• With System Restore
• With the Backup tool

With Regedit

1. In Windows Vista, from the Start menu, click the "Start Search" field.

   In Windows 2000 and XP, from the Start menu, select Run... .

2. In the "Start Search" field (Vista), enter regedit; in the "Open:" field (2000 and XP), type regedit and click OK.
   
   
3. In Windows XP and Vista, under the File menu, select Export... .

   In Windows 2000, under the Registry menu, select Export Registry File... .

4. In the Export Registry File dialog box, in the "File name:" field, enter a name for your registry file (e.g., regbackup or registry ).
   
   
5. To select a destination folder other than the default, from the drop-down menu next to "Save in:", select your preferred destination.
   
   
6. Click Save.

With System Restore

In Windows XP and Vista, you can use the System Restore feature to make a backup of the registry. For more, see In Windows XP or Vista, how can I save my computer's configuration for use in a System Restore? and In Windows XP or Vista, how can I restore my computer to a previous configuration? Although the System Restore feature does not mention the registry by that name, it does create a backup of the registry.

With the Backup tool

You can use the Backup tool to create backup copies of the registry. Since the Backup tool is designed to save all the data on your computer, in order to make a backup file of only the registry, you will need to restrict the backup to what Microsoft calls the "System State". To run this tool:

1. From the Start menu, select Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools, and then Backup.

   Note: The Windows XP default desktop view and Start menu are different from the Windows Classic View (e.g., in Windows 2000). Therefore, navigating to certain items can be different. In the interest of broad applicability, most Knowledge Base instructions assume you are using Classic View. For details about switching views, see In Windows XP, how do I switch to the Windows Classic View, Classic theme, or Classic Control Panel?

   Note: The Windows Vista Start menu and Control Panel are different from the Windows Classic View (e.g., in Windows 2000). Therefore, navigating to certain items can be different. In the interest of broad applicability, most Knowledge Base documents assume you are using the Classic View. For information about switching your Windows Vista default view to Classic View, see In Windows Vista, how do I switch to the Windows Classic Start menu or Classic Control Panel?

2. If the Backup window appears, click Backup Wizard (Advanced) (Backup Wizard in Windows 2000).
   
   
3. When the Backup Wizard dialog box appears, click Next.
   
   
4. Select Only back up the System State data, and then click Next.
   
   
5. In Windows XP and Vista:
   
   
   • In the "Choose a place to save your backup:" field, enter a location in which to save the backup file.
   • In the "Type a name for this backup:" field, type a name for the backup file.

   In Windows 2000:

   • In the "Backup media or file name:" field, enter a location and filename for the backup file.

   Note: Since the file will be fairly large, you may want to choose an option other than the default, such as a flash drive, a blank CD, or a Zip disk. If you choose to save the backup to your hard drive, you may lose this file if you reformat your computer without saving it onto removable storage media first.

6. Click Next.
   
   
7. The next window will display a summary of your choices. If there are any mistakes, click Back to make corrections. Otherwise, click Finish.

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