How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP

Article ID: 322756 - View products that this article applies to.
This article was previously published under Q322756
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(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/end-support-windows-xp-sp2-windows-vista-without-service-packs)
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Summary

The Windows registry stores key information about the operating system and the programs that are installed on your computer. We recommend that you make a backup copy of the registry. You can use this copy to restore the registry if it becomes corrupted. This backup copy may save your system from a disaster.

Back up the registry

The easiest way is to use the Guided Help wizard
(http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=aw;en-us;322756&eula=1)
. This backs up the registry automatically.

Or, you can use System Restore to manually back up the registry:

  1. Click Start, click Run, type %SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe, and then click OK.
  2. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Create a restore point, and then click Next.
  3. On the Create a Restore Point page, type a name for the restore point, and then click Create.
  4. After the restore point is created, click Close.

Troubleshooting problems with the registry backup

If you encounter problems in running the Guided Help wizard, first make sure that you’re running an English version of Windows XP. Next, be aware that you must have administrator rights on the computer to run this wizard. Finally, if System Restore is turned off, you are prompted about whether you want to turn it on. Click Yes. In the System Properties dialog box, clear the Turn off System Restore check box, click OK, and then repeat steps 1-4.

Restore the registry

To restore the registry, use System Restore:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type %SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe, and then click OK.
  2. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier time (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.
  3. On the Select a Restore Point page, click the system checkpoint that represents the state that you want to restore the registry to. Typically, this will be the last saved checkpoint. However, it could be an earlier checkpoint if the previous registry state was also not working correctly or if you want to reverse multiple recent changes that you have made.
  4. In the On this list select the restore point area, select Guided Help (Registry Backup), and then click Next. If a System Restore message appears that lists the configuration changes that System Restore will make, click OK.
  5. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the selected Windows XP configuration and then restarts the computer.
  6. Log on to the computer. When the System Restore confirmation page appears, click OK.

Situations where a backup of the registry could save your system from disaster

  • You manually edited the registry to fix one problem, but now you want to reverse those changes because they’re causing other problems.
  • A new program is not installed correctly, or it makes unexpected changes to the system.
  • A malware program, such as a virus or a worm, makes unwanted changes to the system.

Similar solutions

How to use the Windows XP Backup utility in Windows XP Home Edition
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320820)
How to use the Backup utility that is included in Windows XP to back up files and folders
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308422)
How to use Backup to protect data and restore files and folders on your computer in Windows XP and Windows Vista
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309340)
How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows XP
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310405)

References

Back up the registry in Windows 7
(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Back-up-the-registry)


Back up the registry in Windows Vista
(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Back-up-the-registry)


Find more tips, tricks, and learning opportunities
(http://smallbusiness.support.microsoft.com/)

Properties

Article ID: 322756 - Last Review: April 29, 2013 - Revision: 16.0
Applies to
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Update Rollup 2
Keywords: 
kbresolve kbacwsurvey kbregistry kbgpo kbbackup kbhowtomaster kbenv KB322756
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