In this guide I’ll show you how to backup the registry in Windows computers.
The registry is a critical component of Windows. Modifying it can cause system instability, computer crashes and maybe even prevent the machine from starting.
Before attempting to change your Windows registry in any way, always create some type of backup for it. It’s quick and easy to do, so why not?
Use System Restore To Backup The Registry.
Windows 10 & Windows 11 have a built in backup facility called System Restore.
Using System Restore you can create what are known as Restore Points. These Restore Points include a backup of the registry.
If something goes wrong, you can use a restore point to revert the PC back to how it was before you started “tinkering” with the registry. You can even use them if your PC won’t even boot up.
System Restore isn’t always enabled by default, so it’s worth checking and using when you need to backup the registry. It’s my preferred method.
Related Post.
How To Backup The Registry.
Creating a manual backup of the Windows registry is actually rather easy to do. It’s not really any more difficult than saving any other type of file on your computer.
You’ll need to open the registry editor (regedit). On your keyboard, press the Windows key and letter R at the same time to open the Run box.
In the run box, type “regedit” and click the OK button. The UAC will probably popup. Click the Yes button to proceed.
Export the Registry.
To backup the registry, you “export” it.
Click the File button at the top left of the window, on the menu that opens, click Export.
That’ll open the “Export Registry File” window, which is really just a normal Save As window. Give the backup a name and then choose where you want to save the file to. In this example, I’ll save it to my desktop.
After that you can close Regedit.
Navigate to wherever you saved the file to and you should be able to see it.
It’s this file that you’ll need if things go wrong when you’re making changes to the registry. So keep it handy.
Summary.
Making changes to the Windows registry is decidedly dangerous. Avoid it if you can.
If you really need to then I’d always advise using System Restore as well as making a backup.
Another pro tip is to carry out the modifications using a virtual machine first. If the change breaks a VM, then no harm done, but if it breaks your “real” PC, then it does become a problem.
