This works for all versions of Windows after 95. I have validated it on Windows 95, 98, 98SE, 2000, and XP. This tip uses the Registry Editor (REGEDIT.EXE) program itself to back up your registry.

1. From your computer's desktop, left-click on Start.

2. From your menu, left-click on Run.

3. A window titled Run should pop up.

4. Type regedit in the box. Press Enter or left-click on OK.

5. The Registry Editor (REGEDIT.EXE) will start. Yours may be expanded, or look slightly different. That's OK. It does not matter which key is highlighted.


6. Within Regedit, non-XP users press Registry. XP users press File.
or

7. Within the Regedit Menu, non-XP users press Export Registry File. XP users press Export, it's the same.
or

8. The Export Dialog Box will appear. Browse using the browse window to the location on your computer where you want to save your registry file (I am using \TEMP). Type in a file name (I am using regbackup-02012003. Make sure "All" is checked so that you will export your entire registry in the window at the bottom.


9. Click Save. This will take several seconds. When complete (the hourglass disappears), close Regedit, you are done and your Registry has been backed up.

To download this tip/technique as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file, click HERE.