How to Backup Your Windows Vista Registry

How to Backup Your Windows Vista Registry

The registry is one of the most vital components of all Windows operating systems released after Windows 95. It is important for your Windows computer because it comprises all configuration and setup information that is required by the system and hardware and software installed on it to function. This is the reason why, any problem within the registry may cause severe problems to your system, and in more severe cases leave your system useless.

To prevent this situation, it is recommended that you perform regular registry cleanup to keep it free from unwanted data that may damage its files. Also, you must make regular registry backups, so that if even after all your preventive maintenance, the registry fails, you may be able to restore it from the backup taken earlier. You must also make registry backups before you:

Perform major changes to system or network settings.
Install or uninstall big software programs, especially the ones that are known to add several registry entries.
Make direct registry edits using the Registry Editor (regedit) tool.
Use a registry tool to perform registry clean up and repair.

Windows Vista Registry Backup: Methods

There are many methods that you can use to make backups in Windows Vista. Discussed here are registry backup steps you need to follow while using some of the common Vista registry backup methods.

Method # 1: Using the Registry Editor Tool

To backup using the Registry Editor Tool, perform the following steps:

Click the Start button, select Run, type regedit, and then select the OK button.

The Registry Editor window is displayed.

On the File menu, select the Export command.

The Export Registry File dialog box is displayed.

Navigate to the folder where you want to save your registry backup.
Enter the name for the registry backup file in the File name box.
In the Export range section, do one of the following:

Select the All option if you want to backup up the entire registry.
Select the Selected branch option and specify the branch name in the text box to backup up a portion of the registry.

Select the Save button.

This will create a BackupName.reg file. To restore, you just need to double-click on this file and select Yes in the message box displayed to confirm your decision.

Method # 2: Use System Restore Feature

Windows Vista comprises the System Restore utility that continuously tracks the changes done to your system at all times, and periodically creates restore points before the changes are made. These restore points are snapshots of your computer configuration information. By default the utility keeps a track of all partitions and drives on your system. Additionally, it monitors the registry, programs installed on the computer, and functioning of the device drivers.

If something goes wrong, you can revert your system configuration back to the time when your computer was known to be working properly. When a restore point is created, the registry is also backed up.

To manually create restore points or to restore the system, you can open the System Restore utility, by performing the following steps:

Click the Start button, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then point to System Tools.
Select the System Restore command to launch the utility.
Follow the screen instructions on the System Restore dialog box to create a new restore point or to revert your system to an old restore point.

Method # 3: Using a Registry Tool:

If you are not to comfortable using the fist two methods, you may opt to use a registry cleaner tool. A registry cleaner tool has an easy to understand and graphical user interface. Almost all good registry cleaners comprise a backup and restore feature. You can use this feature to easily create and maintain regular registry backups. Registry tools also comprise several other features that help you maintain a healthy registry. These features can help you detect, remove and repair registry errors and defrag the registry to consolidate its files and compress its size.

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