Auslogics Blog

Registry tweaks can speed up your computer a lot. But if performed incorrectly, they can seriously harm your system. To minimize the risk, you should backup the Windows Registry before applying any changes, so that you can always undo them. I’m going to show you two Registry backup methods.

1) Create a System Restore Point

One way to backup the Registry is to create a system restore point. System restore returns your computer to a previous date without losing any recent personal data, like documents, email, history, etc. This method is not the most reliable one, because older restore points get deleted by the system. So it can easily happen that your backup will not be there when you need it.

To create a restore point:

1. Go to Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - System Restore
2. Click Create a restore point, then click Next
3. 
4. In the Restore point description text box type a name for this restore point
5. Click Create

2) Export a Selected Branch of the Registry

This backup method is more reliable and is preferred if you are changing a particular key or area of the Registry.

1. Click Start - Run
2. Type regedit in the box and click OK
3. Find and click the Registry key that you are going to edit
4. Go to the File menu and click Export
5. 
6. Select where you want to save the file
7. Type the file name and click Save

Now you have created a backup of a particular Registry key. If in the future you’d like to undo the changes you’ve made, simply double-click this file and the information it contains will be added to the Registry.