How to Backup & Restore the Registry in all Windows Versions

by Hayate Abul Digital Marketing

On a Windows PC, Registry refers to a hierarchical database intended to keep low-level settings and configurations for the Windows Operating System and programs and applications which prefer to use it. Before working on the Registry, it is necessary to back it up. Learn how to backup and restore Windows registry in this blog.

On Windows XP

If you want to back up & restore the registry for Windows XP, then you need to follow the instructions given below.

Backup:

First of all, click on the Windows Start button.
Then you should click on Run.
Go to the search bar & enter “regedit.”
Click on OK to launch the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the left pane, click on the computer to choose it.
You should go to the File, select Export in the menu section.
From the “Export Registry File” screen, enter the filename.
You have to select “All” beneath the “Export range” & choose the location on the system wherever you would like to save the backup registry file.
Now, click on Save.

Restore:

To get started, go to the Registry Editor.
Then you should enter “regedit” at Run.
Click on OK.
Navigate to the File menu & click on Import.
From the “Import Registry File” screen, browse to find the backup file.
Choose the file & click on Open.
After the importing process is finished, reboot the computer & sign in return to the Windows XP computer.

On Windows Vista

You need to backup & restore the registry in Windows Vista. Follow the instructions given below.

Backup:

Get started by clicking on the Windows Start button.
Then you should enter “regedit” into the search box.
Select the “regedit” from the results.
When the UAC warning message prompt comes, click on Continue.
You have to navigate to the left side & choose Computer.
Select the File & click on Export.
From the “Export Registry File” screen, enter the filename for the backup file & select “All” beneath the “Export range” section.
Choose the location wherever you would like to store the backup file.
Now, click on Save.

Restore:

First, you have to go to the Registry Editor.
Then enter “regedit” into the search box.
Select the regedit item from the results.
Go to the File & click on Import.
From the “Import Registry File” window, search & choose the backup “.reg” file that is required to be restored.
Click on Open.
When the method is finished, reboot the Windows Vista System.

On Window 7

If you want to back up & restore the registry for Windows 7, then you need to follow the instructions given below.

Backup:

First & foremost, click on the Windows Start button.
You should enter “regedit” into the search box.
Select the regedit item from the results.
When the UAC prompt comes, click on Continue.
Navigate to the left side, choose Computer.
Select the File & click on Export.
From the “Export Registry File,” enter the name for the backup file.
Select “All” beneath the “Export range” section.
Choose the location wherever you would like to store the backup file.
Now, click on Save.

Restore:

Launch the Registry Editor.
Enter the “regedit” into the search box & select the “regedit” from the results.
Go to the File, click on Import.
In the “Import Registry File” window, search & choose the backup “.reg” file to be restored from the Desktop or wherever you stored it.
After completing the process, reboot the computer to sign back in on the Windows 7 system.

On Windows 8 or 8.1

You need to backup & restore the registry in Windows 8 or 8.1. Follow the instructions given below.

Backup:

Get started by going to the search bar.
Then you should enter “regedit” into the search box.
Select regedit from the results.
When the UAC prompt comes, click on, Yes.
Navigate to the left side & click on Computer.
Select the File & choose Export.
In the “Export Registry File,” enter the backup file name.
Select “All” beneath the “Export range.”
Choose the location wherever you would like to store the backup file.
Now, click on Save.

Restore:

Go to the Registry Editor.
You have to enter “regedit” into the search box.
Select the regedit item from the results.
Navigate to the File, select Import.
From the “Import Registry File” window, search & choose the backup file you would like to restore.
Later, click on Open.
Now, when the procedure is finished, reboot the system & sign in back on the Windows 8 or 8.1 system.

On Windows 10

If you want to back up & restore the registry for Windows 10, then you need to follow the instructions given below.

Backup:

To get started, enter “regedit” into the search box.
Select the regedit from the results.
When the User Account Control prompt comes, click on, Yes.
Go to the left side & choose Computer.
Navigate to the File & select Export.
In the “Export Registry File,” enter the backup file name.
Select “All” beneath the Export range section.
Choose the location wherever you would like to store the backup file.
Now, click on Save.

Restore:

Launch the Registry Editor.
Then enter regedit into the search box.
Choose regedit items from the search results.
Go to the File & select Import.
In the “Import Registry File” window, search & choose the backup file you would like to restore.
Select Open.
When the process is finished, reboot the system & log in back on the Windows 10 system.

Sara is a Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry since 2002. As a technical expert, Sara has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as office.com/setup.

source : Windows Versions