The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores low-level settings for the Microsoft Windows operating system and applications that opt to use the registry. The kernel, device drivers, services, Security Accounts Manager, and user interface use the registry. Without Registry, you can not imagine your Windows operating system. Windows Registry contains all information about settings, options, and other values for all programs and hardware installed on Windows operating systems. For example, when a program is installed on a computer, a new sub-key containing settings, program’s location, version, and how to start the program are added to the Windows Registry. While executing any program on the computer, it accesses the Registry file and operates correctly.
Once Registry gets corrupt, your Windows will stop working. Hence, before making any changes to your computer registry, you should back up the Registry file. In this post, we will learn to create backup/restore Registry keys on Windows 11/10/8/7.
Once you have a backup of Registry and something goes wrong, you can revert with backup by restoring to the original path.
There are two ways to take the backup of Registry: Full backup of Registry or backup only individual keys.
Topics Covered
How to backup the whole Registry on Windows 11/10/8/7?
Step 1. Press
Step 2. Type
Step 3. Click the
Step 4. If UAC (User Account Control) prompts, click the
Step 5. Then, click ‘File > Export‘ from the menu.
Step 6. It will prompt for location and name. Select location and type a proper name for backup that can be remembered later, e.g., Full Registry Backup.
Note: Under Export range, leave default option All selected.
Step 7. Finally, click the
Now, in a few seconds (depending on the Registry size), you will have a Registry backup on your PC.
How to restore the complete Registry on Windows 11/10/8/7?
If you have made some changes in Windows Registry and want to restore from the backup, you can do the following:-
Step 1. Press
Step 2. Type
Step 3. Click the
Step 4. If UAC (User Account Control) prompts, click the
Step 5. Click ‘File > Import‘ from the menu.
Step 6. Locate the Registry Backup File and click the
Now you can see the progress of Registry importing.
You can backup / restore the entire Registry using the steps mentioned above. If you want to backup / restore individual keys, it is also possible.
How to backup individual Registry keys on Windows 11/10/8/7?
Step 1. Press
Step 2. Type
Step 3. Click the
Step 4. If UAC (User Account Control) prompts, click the
Step 5. Navigate to the Registry file location which you want to backup.
Step 6. From the menu, select ‘File > Export.’
Step 7. It will prompt for the file name, write a helpful word that serves the purpose.
Note: Under the Export range, leave it to default to the Selected branch.
Step 8. Finally, click on the
How to restore individual Registry keys on Windows 11/10/8/7?
Step 1. Press
Step 2. Type
Step 3. Click the
Step 4. If UAC (User Account Control) prompts, click the
Step 5. Click ‘File > Import‘ from the menu.
Step 6. Locate the Registry Backup File and click the
Step 7. Now, you will get a prompt on the screen, “The keys and values contained in ……………….. .reg have been successfully added to the registry.”
That’s all! Now, you have successfully restored the registry backup file to its original location.
