In Windows NT, 2000, and XP, 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.

With regedit

1. From the Start menu, select Run... .
   
   
2. In the "Open:" field, type regedit and click OK.
   
   
3. In Windows XP, under the File menu, select Export... .
   
   In Windows NT and 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. If you wish 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, you may use the System Restore feature to make a backup of the registry. For more information, see In Windows Me or XP, how can I save my computer's configuration for use in a System Restore? and In Windows Me or XP, 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 in fact create a backup of the registry.

With the Backup tool

In Windows 2000 and XP, you may 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 information about switching your Windows XP default view to Classic View, see In Windows XP, how do I switch to the Windows Classic View, Classic theme, or Classic Control Panel?

2. If the Backup window appears, click the Backup Wizard (Advanced) button (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:
   
   
   • 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 go back and make corrections. Otherwise, click Finish.

Also see:

• In Windows, what is the registry?
• In Windows 95, 98, 98SE, and Me, how do I make a backup of the registry?