How to Back Up Your Windows Registry

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How to Back Up Your Windows Registry

Situation:
You want to backup the Windows registry before manually editing it, in the event the changes do not produce the desired result.

Solution:
Follow these steps to create a backup of the registry.

Click the Start button, then click Run. The Run window opens.
Type REGEDIT, then click OK. The Registry Editor opens.
Choose Registry, Export Registry File.
Verify the following entries in the Export Registry File Dialog Box:
- Save in: Desktop
- File Name: Registry Backup
- Export Range: All
Click Save.
Exit the Registry Editor.
Verify you have an icon titled REGISTRY BACKUP.REG on the Desktop.

CAUTION:
Do not double-click the REGISTRY BACKUP.REG file on your Desktop unless you intend to undo your changes. Immediately verify the effect of your changes. When you have verified that the changes to the registry produce the desired result, delete the REGISTRY BACKUP.REG file from the desktop, otherwise restore it immediately.

Do not allow the REGISTRY BACKUP.REG file to remain on the desktop beyond the testing period to avoid inadvertently double-clicking it.

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Document ID: 1998766228885344
Last Modified: 11/14/2005
Date Created: 07/28/1998
Product(s): General