How to Backup and Restore the Windows Registry?

One of the most important parts of your Windows operating system (OS) is hidden from view: the System Registry. Microsoft deliberately keeps the registry out of sight and out of mind because unauthorized changes to it can be devastating to the health of your computer. Unfortunately, even authorized changes – such as those made by various software programs and even by Windows itself – can be just as devastating if done incorrectly or if one change conflicts with configuration information that is already in the registry. Many people know to back up their data, but few know to backup the registry itself.

Most versions of Windows will allow you to back up your registry or set a “system restore point.” Much of this is done automatically for you. Unfortunately, if the OS itself stops working for some reason, you may not be able to get to the restore service for your particular flavor of Windows. And a backup without the ability to restore is useless.

For Windows Vista, you begin by typing “systempropertiesprotection” (without the quotes) in the Start Search box then press ENTER. You may be asked for an Administration password. Once you click Allow, Windows will search all hard disks for the most recently saved system restore points. Windows should create on every time it detects a major change to the system. For example, when installing new software, Windows will create a system restore point before the installation and any changes take place. This way, if something goes wrong Windows can reboot safely as if the errant installation never happened.

To backup the system in its current configuration, click on the System Protection tab in the System Properties dialog box, then click Create. Enter a name for the new restore point you are creating and click Create again. Once the restore point has been created, click OK twice to return to the desktop.

To restore the system to a previous restore point, follow the same procedures as above, but this time choose System Restore under the System Protection tab. Select the “Choose a different restore point” option and then choose the restore point you wish to revert to. Generally speaking, you should try to restore using the most recent restore point to ensure that most of the functionality remains intact. Unfortunately, Windows has a nasty habit of going through what seems like the entire restore process only to give a message that the restore failed. If that happens, work your way back until you come to one that works.

There are other options available as well. Third party software can backup and restore your Window Registry, in many cases even if your Windows OS stops functioning completely. Such programs often can prevent problems by properly maintaining and optimizing the registry by removing unused keys that clog your system. Removing these keys can significantly improve performance.

For more information on the Windows Registry, check out the articles at Answer Registry Reviews. There are reviews of popular registry cleaning, backup and restore  software products and you can even use links on the site to download and purchase software online