Registry Backup

Microsoft Windows stores its configuration information in a database called the registry. The registry is the central storage for all computer configuration data. The Windows method configuration, the computer hardware configuration, information about installed programs, the kinds of documents that each program can create, as well as user preferences are all stored in the registry. Windows continually references this information during its operation. The registry stores the data in a structured hierarchy of keys, subkeys, as well as named values. Incorrectly editing the registry may severely damage your system. Microsoft recommends which you backup the registry before you edit it.

Although the registry appears to be in one file, it is actually placed on your computer in several files. Depending on your method configuration, registry files can be found in the following locations:

C:Documents and SettingsUser Name on Windows 2000, XP.
C:WindowsSystem32Config on Windows 2000, XP.
C:Windows on Windows 95, 98, ME.
C:WindowsProfiles on Windows 95, 98, ME.

Registry data is usually stored in the following files, typically referred to as registry hives:

System.dat, User.dat, as well as Policy.pol, on Windows 95, 98 and ME.

Security, System.alt, Default, Sam, Software, System, Ntuser.dat, as well as other files, on Windows NT, 2000 and XP.

How To Back Up Windows Registry ?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to back up registry files under Windows NT, 2000, as well as XP, while the operating method is running. Registry files remain fully locked all the time while Windows is running, so there's no access to those files. You can how ever use an integrated Windows XPs System Restore feature for registry backup.

Alternatively, the registry editor (regedit.exe) allows you to export partial or complete copies of the registry, while the Windows is up, as well as the exported files can then be backed up with other traditional file backup utility. If there's a registry problem, the exported file can be easily imported to restore all or segment of the registry. And the exported file is a text file that is easily read and manipulated. You can follow these simple steps to back up the entire registry or particular registry subkey:

1. Click Start, as well as then click Run.

2. In the Open box, mode regedit, as well as then click OK.

3. Locate and then click the root subkey that contains all the child subkeys and values which you want to back up.

4. On the File menu, click Export.

5. In the Save in box, select a location where you want to save the Registration Entries (.reg) file, mode a file name in the File name box, as well as then click Save.

The exported registry file is about 10-50 MB in size on a typical Windows NT/2000/XP installation. The registry exported files are text files and are usually well-compressed (by up to 75percent and more). To restore registry subkeys which you exported, double-click the Registration Entries (.reg) file which you saved.