Before making any changes to the registry, you must first save the edited parameter or the entire registry. This precaution will allow you to restore the original state of the registry in the event that the changes made will affect the operation of the system negatively.
Necessary
a computer with Windows XP, Vista or Seven installed
Instructions
Step 1
The most convenient way to save registry files is to create copies of them using Registry Editor. Open Registry Editor by using the regedit command entered in the Run form of the Start menu. In the editor window that opens, select "My Computer" or any section, subsection or key - depending on what you want to save, the entire registry, its section or some separate parameter.
Step 2
From the File menu, select Export. In the dialog box that appears, enter the file name (it is desirable that it coincides with the name of the parameter to be saved), select the folder to save and click “Save”. The registry file will be saved with a reg extension.
Step 3
If you need to restore the state of the registry, double-click on this file with the left mouse button and confirm your decision by clicking OK. Restoration of the saved file is also possible from the registry editor. In this case, select the Import option from the File menu, specify the location and name of the recovered file in the dialog box, and select the Open option.
Step 4
You can also create a copy of the registry using the built-in Backup and Restore utility. To do this, go to: Start menu - Control Panel - Backup and Restore. In the utility window that opens, in the "Schedule" item, select the "Change parameters" line. Determine where the archive files are stored and click Next. Of the two options for saving that the utility will offer you - "Give Windows the choice" or "Let me choose" - you can choose any option.
Step 5
In the first case, the utility, along with the data files (libraries, Windows folders and users), will also save the system image, which also presupposes saving the registry settings. If you select the "Let me choose" option, you can select any file, partition or disk and add a system image to them. You can choose nothing but the system image, in this case only it will be saved. Confirm your decision by pressing the "Save parameters and exit" button. Now, in order to save the system image, you need to select the "Archive" command in the main "Backup and Restore" window.
Step 6
You can save the registry using numerous registry programs. Most of them automatically create a copy of the registry whenever changes are made and provide the ability to restore the saved state at any time.
