It appears that you are about to configure built-in system files and customize your Windows Settings manually. So, you want to learn how to backup and restore the registry in Windows in case of any accidental misconfiguration occurrence.
The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that holds low-level settings for the Microsoft Windows operating system as well as apps that utilize it. The registry configures the settings used by the kernel, device drivers, services, the Security Accounts Manager, and user interfaces.
By the end of this article, you’ll be able to backup Windows Registry along with all its components including Values, Keys, Strings, and binary data.
Let’s breakdown what we’re going to cover in this article:
Backup and Restore Registry with Registry Editor
Backup Registry with Registry Editor
Step #1: Search for ‘Regedit’ or ‘Registry Editor’ in Start Menu and open it.
Step #2: Click on the ‘File’ option from the top menu and select the ‘Export’ option.
Step #3: Name the file, set the export range option to ‘All’ if you want to backup the complete registry or choose the select branch option and enter the branch path from the registry, and select the desired location where you want to save the backup file.
Step #4: Choose the File Type/Extension. You can save files in Registry in the following file types (extension):
- Registration Files (*.reg)
- Registration Hive Files (*.*)
- Text Files (.txt)
- Win9x/NT4 Registration Files (*.reg)
It’s recommended to store the registry backup in the registration files (.reg) format if you wish to restore the registry in the future.
Step #5: Press the ‘Save’ button to backup the registry in the selected location.
Restore Registry from Backup using Registry Editor
Step #1: Search for ‘Regedit’ or ‘Registry Editor’ in Start Menu and press the Enter Key.
Step #2: Click on the ‘File’ option from the top menu and select the ‘Import’ option.
Step #3: Locate the backed-up file in registration file (.reg) format and press the open button.
Step #4: The Registry editor will start importing and all the registry keys, sub-keys, strings, and values will be restored in the previous working state.
Step #5: Restart your computer to make changes change effect and start using the restored registry.
Note: If some of your registry files are used by other applications, or if you have not granted the administrator privileges to the registry editor, then you’ll see an error stating the following message:
“Cannot import C:\Users\Username\File-Path\Registry-Backup-Name.reg: Not all data was successfully written to the registry. Some keys are open by the system or other processes, or you have insufficient privileges to perform this operation.”
In this scenario, make sure you’ve launched the registry editor as an administrator (with Administrator Privileges) and closed all running applications before trying again. Then, restart your device and give it another attempt.
Backup and Restore Registry with System Restore
Note: You can back up the Windows Registry by Performing a System Restore on your computer but it’ll remove some of the recently installed files, programs, registry, and drivers.
Backup Registry with System Restore
Step #1: Search for ‘Create a restore point’ in Start Menu and open the app.
Step #2: Make sure that device protection is turned on and then click the ‘Create’ option to create a system restore point.
Step #3: Name the System restore point.
Step #4: Wait until the restore point is created on your computer.
Restore Registry from backup using System Restore
Step #1: Search for ‘Create a restore point’ in Start Menu and open the app.
Step #2: Select the ‘System Restore’ option in the system protection tab.
Step #3: Click the ‘Next’ button.
Step #4: Select the previously created system restore point and click the ‘Next’ button.
Step #5: Click the ‘Finish’ button to start restoring the system along with the registry to its previous working state.
Conclusion
Overall we’ve collectively covered 2 methods to backup and restore the registry in Windows 11. You are free to utilize whatever method that you are most comfortable with.
While the backup will restore any previously deleted settings and keys, it will not affect any additional settings or keys you may have added after the backup was created.
All the keys and values will be backed up unless you export a key with a DWORD value and then add a String value later. If you do this, then the backup will restore the original DWORD value but not the String value. If you ever want to remove the String value as well, simply right-click it and choose Delete.
FAQs Related to Registry Backup
Where is the Windows registry backup located?
The Registry backup copy is stored in the following location on the computer: C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack
Can Windows Restore fix the Registry Errors?
Yes, the system restore in Windows can fix registry issues, but you must make sure that the last system restore on your device was working well and didn’t cause the same registry problems as the ones you’re experiencing now.
How to check if Windows has automatically backed up registry?
Go to the Windows Run and type the file location: C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack. If you find the registry files in this directory, it signifies that your computer has automatically backed up the Windows registry. You can check the date and time of automatic backup by right-clicking the registry file and viewing its properties.
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