How to backup your Registry

What is the Registry?
The Microsoft Computer Dictionary (5th edition) defines the Registry as:
"A central hierarchical database...used to store information necessary to configure the system for one or more users, applications and hardware devices. The Registry contains information that Windows continually references during operation, such as profiles for each user, the applications installed on the computer and the types of documents that each can create, property sheet settings for folders and application icons, what hardware exists on the system, and the ports that are being used."

Is it safe to edit?
Incorrect editing can lead to errors and can severely damage your system. To avoid this, you should always backup your Registry before editing.

How can I back it up?
1. Go to Start | Run and type regedit


2. Go to File | Export


3. Make sure that the "Export Range" is on All


4. Choose a filename and location that you will remember if you need to restore a backup.

This is a good guide but I do have a suggestion. Information on how to restore the registry that you backed up in case of an error would be good. I know that it as simple as "import" instead of "export" but I still think that it would be a nice addition to the how-to.

1. Go Here and download ERUNT
   (ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT) is a free program that allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed.)
2. Install ERUNT by following the prompts
   (use the default install settings but say no to the portion that asks you to add ERUNT to the start-up folder, if you like you can enable this option later)
3. Start ERUNT
   (either by double clicking on the desktop icon or choosing to start the program at the end of the setup)
4. Choose a location for the backup
   (the default location is C:\WINDOWS\ERDNT which is acceptable).
5. Make sure that at least the first two check boxes are ticked
6. Press OK
7. Press YES to create the folder.

another method

ERUNT is an excellent utility. For step 2, if you select yes about the start-up folder, ERUNT will take a snapshot of your registry every time your system starts up, meaning that you don't have to manually run it. If ever you have any problems, you can just navigate to the default location (see step 4) and open the file for the most recent snapshot, and it will restore the registry back to there.