How to Backup Windows Registry Files

The first step is to understand - what is the Windows registry? Why would you have to backup Windows registry files in the first place? Let’s discuss the importance of Windows registry and why you should be backing up your registry on a regular basis.

Generally the Windows registry is a database which is a collection of all software and hardware configuration settings on your personal computer. Its organization is hierarchical and consists of thousands entries nested below each other. This “hive” of information can be considered the heart of Windows, and it’s responsible helping to maintain system stability.

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Normally you do not have to clean or fix your registry when your computer is new or when you have made a clean operating system installation. However after a long period of use, you may begin to notice a slow-down of performance on your computer. This is normally caused by the excessive usage and installation and removal of applications on your PC. To prevent this, it is mandatory that you perform some regular registry maitenance and cleaning to keep your computer running in tip-top condition.

Over time, the size of your registry grows due to software and hardware programs creating a “footprint” when they are installed or accessed. Even simple plug-ins from the internet, such as QuickTime and Flash, are recorded in the registry.

One of the major problems is some programs do not remove their entries from the registry during un-installation or removal and as a result they clutter and congest your Windows registry with unnecessary entries.

The thousands of entries in the registry can sometimes be difficult to read and may look very complex, especially if you are a novice when it comes to computer maintenance. I would not advise you to attempt to clean your registry manually if you are not exactly sure of what you are doing. However, there are many registry cleaning application available for you, which will quickly and easily do the job for you.

Regardless if you are cleaning the windows registry manually or making use of software, it’s mandatory that you first back-up your registry before cleaning. Backing up your registry is critical in the event that an error occurs or if something is inadvertently removed from the registry. Backup up is a safety precaution and this should be done regularly.

Backing up your registry can be simple when done manually. If you’re using Windows XP / 2000 you click ‘Start’, then click on ‘Run’, type ‘regedit’ and hit the Enter key. This will take you into your Windows registry. Proceed by clicking ‘File’ then select export and chose the location you would like to save your registry.

Please note that you should make sure your files have the file extension (*.reg). Also, make sure you select ‘all’ so as to backup the entire registry file and not just segments. Make it a point that you save you backed-up copy on a CD or on another PC.