How to backup the system registry

Autodesk Support

Oct 8, 2023

Products and versions covered

Issue:

How to backup the Windows registry before attempting to edit or update it.

Environment:

  • Windows 10
  • Windows 8.1
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 7
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows XP

Causes:

Technical support instructions often contain warnings about editing the registry, containing text similar to the following: "Note: Backup the registry before editing it."

Solution:

Problems caused by improperly editing the Windows registry could render your computer operating system unusable. Microsoft provides a wealth of critical information about the registry in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. Additional information about the registry is also available in the Help topics in the Microsoft Registry Editor.

To open the registry:
  • Press WINDOWS-R on the keyboard to bring up the Run window, enter REGEDIT and click OK. Alternatively, click Run under the Start menu or search for regedit.exe within the Start menu.
To backup the registry:
  1. Within the Registry Editor, click the File menu and choose Export.
  2. Type in a file name, such as "Registry Backup."
  3. The Save as type should be "Registration Files (*.reg).'
  4. Under Export range, select "All."
  5. Choose a location to save the file, such as Desktop or Documents.
  6. Click Save.
Note: Verify that the "Registry Backup.reg" file saved to the chosen location and for some reason did not save.

Important: To restore the registry, double-click the "Registry Backup.reg" file.

Products:

All Desktop Products;

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