The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores low-level settings for the Microsoft Windows operating system and for 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 in your computer registry, you should take a backup of 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 Windows Logo + R from the keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2. Type Regedit.
Step 3. Click the OK button to open Registry Editor.
Step 4. If UAC (User Account Control) prompts, click the Yes button to launch Registry Editor.
Step 5. Click File > Export….., from the menu.
Step 6. It will prompt for location and name. Select location and type some useful 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 Save button to save the backup of the Registry.
Now in a few seconds (depends on the Registry size), you will have a Registry backup on your PC.
How to restore the whole 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 Windows Logo + R from the keyboard to open the Run command box.
Step 2. Type Regedit.
Step 3. Click the OK button to open Registry Editor.
Step 4. If UAC (User Account Control) prompts, click the Yes button to launch Registry Editor.
Step 5. Click File > Import….., from the menu.
Step 6. Locate the Registry Backup File and click the Open button.
Now you can see the progress of Registry importing.
By the above-mentioned steps, you can backup / restore the full Registry. 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 Windows Logo + R from the keyboard to open the Run box.
Step 2. Type Regedit.
Step 3. Click the OK button to open Registry Editor.
Step 4. If UAC (User Account Control) prompts, click the Yes button to launch Registry Editor.
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 useful name that serves the purpose.
Note: Under the Export range, leave it to default to the Selected branch.
Step 8. Finally, click on the Save button to save the backup.
How to restore individual Registry keys on Windows 11/10/8/7?
Step 1. Press Windows Logo + R from the keyboard to open the Run box.
Step 2. Type Regedit.
Step 3. Click the OK button to open Registry Editor.
Step 4. If UAC (User Account Control) prompts, click the Yes button to launch Registry Editor.
Step 5. Click File > Import….., from the menu.
Step 6. Locate the Registry Backup File and click the Open button.
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.