How to Backup the Windows Registry

How to Backup the Windows Registry:
The windows registry holds all of the hardware and software configuration that the operating system needs to make everything work correctly. It is a good idea to make a backup copy of the registry before you use the registry editor to make any changes.
There are many situations that require you to edit the registry directly. However, keep in mind, that you can break the operating system if you do it the wrong way. Backing up the registry is really just due diligence just in case something goes wrong.
There are three methods available in windows XP, Vista and windows 7 that you can use to backup the windows registry.

Using System Restore

The easiest and safest way to backup the windows registry is to use the System restore point feature. Basically the operating system takes a ‘snapshot’ of the registry at a specific point in time. Do this before you install new software, uninstall old software or make any major configuration changes.
While useful, restore points are not a permanent backup for the registry because they can be overwritten for many different reasons but are perfect if you are planning to manually edit the registry.
To create a restore point in windows XP perform the following steps:

1. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore as shown below

2. Click Create a restore point, and then click Next.
3. In the Restore point description box, type a name to identify this restore point. System Restore automatically adds the date and time that this Restore Point was created.
4. To finish creating this restore point, click Create.

To create a restore point in Vista or windows 7 perform the following steps:

1. Right-click on the Computer icon in the Desktop, and choose Properties
2. In the left pane, click System Protection
3. Alternately, to access the System Protection tab directly, click Start and type SystemPropertiesProtection.exe.
4. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

5. Click the System Protection tab, and then click Create.

6. In the System Protection dialog box, type a description, and then click Create.

You should receive a message that the restore has been created.

Backing Up a Specific Registry Key

To backup a single registry key, perform the following steps:

1. Click Start -> Run.
2. 2. Type regedit.exe, and then click OK
3. Locate and right-click on the key you want to back up and choose Export as shown below

4. In the Save in box, select the location you want to save the file
5. In the File name box, type a file name, and then click Save

You have just created a backup for that particular registry key. This is very useful if you are upgrading software or device drivers and think there might be a chance you will need to go back to the previous version.

Backing Up the Entire Registry

You can make a complete backup of the windows registry using the NTBackup Utility shown below to do a system state backup. To stat the wizard, click on Start -> Run and type ntbackup.exe in the dialogue box. The wizard shown below will open.

Clicking Next opens the window below and provide the choices shown.

For a registry backup select Only backup system state data and then just follow the directions.

Summary

Before backing up your registry before you make and major configuration changes, install or un-install any applications, you should always run a good registry cleaner to optimize the registry and get rid of unnecessary entries.

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