EisenGuide

 To back-up the entire registry, do the following:

 1.                  Click on Start – > Run

2.                  Type regedit

3.                  In the left hand pane, single click on Computer

4.                  Click on File – > Export

5.                  A dialogue box will open.  Name the file (I typically use the format PCName.Registry.Date.reg).  Make certain that it has a .reg extension

6.                  Make certain that, in the lower left corner of the dialogue box, where it says Export Range, the radio button “All” is checked.

7.                  I suggest saving the file to a location that is NOT on this computer. 

8.                  It might take a bit of time to finish the operation.  When done, you will have the new file that you just created.  To restore the registry simply copy that file to this computer and double-click on the file that you just created.

 To back-up a single registry branch, do the following:

 1.                  Click on Start – > Run

2.                  Type regedit

3.                  In the left hand pane, navigate to the registry branch that you want to back-up

4.                  Click on File – > Export

5.                  A dialogue box will open.  Name the file (I typically use the format PCName.Registry.Branch.Date.reg).  Make certain that it has a .reg extension

6.                  Make certain that, in the lower left corner of the dialogue box, where it says Export Range, the radio button “All” is checked.

7.                  I suggest saving the file to a location that is NOT on this computer. 

8.                  When done, you will have the new file that you just created.  To restore the registry branch, simply copy that file to this computer and double-click on the file that you just created or open the registry, click on File – > Import, navigate to the .reg file that just created and select it.

Note – for Microsoft’s official instruction, please click here.