How to Backup and Restore Your Windows Registry

A Guide / Tutorial

 Below you will find a step-by-step process (3-Steps) you can use to backup and restore your Windows Registry

OK, you have a computer that barely works, freezes all the time and displays more "error messages" than your High School math test...

So what is a chap like yourself to do....

Below you will find a step-by-step plan for getting your PC back up to speed. It takes a little work, so don’t be shy. Before you know it we’ll have your registry repaired and working like a charm. 

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1. Identify & Isolate the problem, making sure it is indeed your Windows Registry

First things first, in order to tackle the problem head on we must find out what it is. In order to rule out other “culprits” (such as viruses, spy-ware, etc.), do a quick scan with your anti-virus software.   

2. Perform a Backup of your Windows Registry

Before messing with the Windows Registry you should ALWAYS BACKUP THE REGISTRY. In the event that something goes awry, which does not take much, especially if you are manually making adjustments, then at least you can go back and start from point A again without jeopardizing your files.  

***Each version of Windows has its own formula for backing up and restoring the registry. Outlined below you will find a brief overview of how each version of windows registry backup and recovery works. 

Versions covered include the following (click on the vs. applicable to you to jump ahead) 

Windows 98 / Windows ME / Windows 95 / Vista / Windows 2000 / Win2003 

Windows 95 - Registry Backup Recovery and Restoration Instructions:

How to Backup the Registry in Win95 - Guide

I.)  Restart your PC. At the "Starting Windows" screen, type F8. Select "Safe Mode - Command Prompt Only." Then press the enter key to move forward. 

II.)  Type the following instructions in order, pressing enter after each:

cd \windows 

attrib -r -h -s system.dat 

attrib -r -h -s user.dat 

copy system.dat *.xax 

copy user.dat *.xax 

***IF your PC already has a file named system or user .xax, change this name and repeat process above***

III.)  Next, perform a computer restart to re-boot your PC

YOUR PC REGISTRY SHOULD NOW BE BACKED UP. ONE STEP DOWN, 2 MORE TO GO. CONGRATS!!! 

Restoring Win95 Registry - GUIDE

I.)  Restart your PC. At the "Starting Windows" screen, type F8. Select "Safe Mode - Command Prompt Only." Then press the enter key to move forward. 

II.)  Type the following instructions in order, pressing enter after each:

cd windows 

attrib -r -h -s system.dat 

attrib -r -h -s system.da0 

attrib -r -h -s user.dat 

attrib -r -h -s user.da0 

ren system.dat system.daa 

ren system.da0 system.da1 

ren user.dat user.daa 

ren user.da0 user.da1 

copy system.bak system.dat (press "Enter")

copy user.bak user.dat (press "Enter")

III.)  Restart the PC 

WITH ANY LUCK THE REGISTRY SHOULD NOW BE RESTORED (yeah!). If not, CLICK HERE for a FREE WINDOWS REGISTRY SCAN  to find and solve the problem.

Windows 98 & ME - Registry Backup Recovery and Restoration Instructions:

Win98 & ME Registry Backup - Tutorial:

I.)  Click the Start menu. Go to “Run". When the text box comes up, type in the word “scanregw” and then click on OK. 

II.)  After clicking OK, your system will automatically scan your registry for problems. Once complete, you will be prompted to backup your Windows Registry. This is highly suggested, so click on “Yes.” Once your system has backed up your PC Registry, click on “OK.” 

YOUR PC REGISTRY SHOULD NOW BE BACKED UP. ONE STEP DOWN, 2 MORE TO GO. CONGRATS!!! 

Restoring Win98 & ME Registry - GUIDE 

Using Win98...

a)    First, restart or boot up your PC, while holding down CTRL on your keyboard. Then, select “Safe Mode – Command Prompt Only.” This will bring you to a DOS screen. See below for cont. instructions...

Using Windows ME...

a)    First, restart or boot up your PC using your Windows Startup Disk. Once loaded, click on “Start PC without CD-ROM Support.” This will bring you to a DOS screen. See below for cont. instructions...

Using Windows 98 OR ME Cont.

b)  On the DOS command screen enter the following and then press enter:: c:\windows\command\scanreg /restore 

c)  The ScanReg file on your computer will show a record of any past Windows Registry Backups. You can utilize the arrows on your keyboard, and then press enter to choose the backup you want. Hitting enter will then Restore your Windows Registry. 

d)  Once this process is complete, hit the enter key and then restart your PC (remember to remove the startup disk before re-booting).

If this did not result in a “registry fix” OR if you are still experiencing registry errors that are in need of repair, then Click the button below for a FREE Windows Registry Scan that will evaluate your PC for registry problems (and repair/fix them) within minutes OR, click on Download Windows registry fix  for the best registry cleaner software available. 

Windows 2000/2003/XP - Registry Backup & Restoration Instructions:

Backing up the Win2000, Win2003 & WinXP Registry - Guide

*** In order to complete the following steps, you may have to log in as “administrator***

a) Click on the Start Menu >> Go to All Programs >> Then Accessories >> Then System Tools >> Now click on Backup. 

NOTE: If you do not have a “Backup” option available, install it by using your Windows System CD.

b) Once the backup software has loaded, select the “wizard” option and click “Next” to continue. 

c) Choose: "Only back up the System  State  Data". Continue process by selecting “Next” until the Windows Backup is successful. 

And you're done - the registry has now been backed up successfully.

How to Restore the Registry in Win2000, Win2003 & WinXP - Tutorial:

a) Open the Backup Utility, as before (instructions listed previously). 

b) Again, ensure that you're in "Backup Wizard" mode. You'll be presented with list of all previous registry backups. Simply select the System-State backup you'd like to restore and press "Next", and then "Finish". Close the program when the restoration is complete.

If this did not result in a windows registry restoration OR if you are still experiencing registry errors that are in need of repair, then Click the button below for a FREE registry scan that will evaluate your PC for registry errors (and repair/fix them) within minutes OR, click on Download registry fix   for the best registry cleaner software alternatives. 

Windows Vista   - Registry Backup & Restoration Instructions: 

Backing up your Registry with Vista - Guide

*** In order to complete the following steps, you may have to log in as “administrator*** 

The best way to restore/recover your  Vista registry is to follow the steps outlined below:

a) Click on the Start Menu >> Go to Control Panel >> Then System >> and click on System Protection.

b) Choose which hard drive you want to establish a restoration for and then hit “Create” to select a specific restoration point.

Vista   Registry Restoration - Guide

a)  Click on the Start Menu >> Go to All Programs >> Then Accessories > Then System Tools >> Now click on System Restore.

b)  Hit Next and choose the restoration point you desire 

c)  Continue until your Windows Vista  registry has been restored

If this did not result in a windows registry restoration OR if your PC is still running poorly, then Click the button below for a FREE registry scan that will evaluate your PC for registry errors (and repair/fix them) within minutes OR, click on Download registry fix   for the best registry cleaner software alternatives. 

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3. LASTLY, HOW TO ACTUALLY ATTEMPT TO FIX YOUR REGISTRY ERRORS, CORRUPT FILES, ETC.

Alright, we’ve got this far. Wipe the sweat off your brow and take a deep breath. If you already did a system restore as outlined above and your system is running like a charm, then CONGRATS!! Job well done my friend. If you are still experiencing problems with your PC then this is where the news gets a little bleak. However, do not give up hope yet. There are still a few other options for you to try and fix your PC registry. I have outlined them below for you. 

Depending on what the problem was with your registry, fixing it will range from "somewhat straightforward" to "re-installing windows".

YOUR OPTIONS ARE OUTLINED BELOW:

1. Format your hard-drive and re-install Windows. This is definitely not ideal, but it is an option. First, make sure all programs you want to save and all valuable data is backed up on an external hard drive. You will lose all data and all programs that are not backed up once you reformat your hard drive. I want to repeat that...YOU WILL LOSE ALL DATA AND PROGRAMS NOT BACKED UP! Next, you will have to have your original windows program/startup disk and your ID confirmation number. if you have an illegally copied Windows program or do not have the disk with the code, then you will not be able to use this option to fix your PC’s registry. Sorry. 

2. Utilize your computer’s Registry Editor and manually repair the individual errors. Again, this is very risky, technically advanced, and is more easily and safely done with a Windows registry repair utility.  Click here for a list of the Best registry cleaners

3. You can hire an IT consultant, independent PC repair professional, OR use a service like “Geek Squad” to come to your house and see if they can repair your computer. Do the research for yourself, but I think you’ll find these alternatives to be a bit costly and time consuming, especially for a problem that you can fix with a quick and inexpensive Windows Registry Repair Utility.

4. The quickest, most simple, and safest way to repair your registry while ensuring preservation of all your important data is to  Download registry fix software. These registry repair tools will automatically backup your registry, identify each problem area, and fix each registry error in minutes. 

CHECK OUT OUR USER REVIEW PANEL  FOR ACUTALL USER RESPONSES & REVIEWS of the Best Registry Cleaners 

You can find a comprehensive analysis of each registry repair download as well as independent registry cleaner reviews of each Windows registry recovery tool below:  

Click the button below for a FREE registry scan that will evaluate your PC for registry problems (and repair/fix them) within minutes: