Article ID: 322756 - Last Review: September 23, 2011 - Revision: 9.0

How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP

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This article was previously published under Q322756

To continue receiving security updates for Windows, make sure you're running Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3). For more information, refer to this Microsoft web page: Support is ending for some versions of Windows (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/end-support-windows-xp-sp2-windows-vista-without-service-packs)

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SUMMARY

This article describes how to back up the registry in Windows XP.

For information about how to back up the registry in Windows Vista and in Windows 7, please see the links at the end of the article.
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Back up the registry

Guided Help to export registry keys and to back up the registry in Windows XP

Guided Help Guided Help is available to export registry keys and to back up the registry. Guided Help can automatically perform the steps for you.

The actions that this Guided Help performs cannot be undone after Guided Help is finished.

Requirements to install and to use this Guided Help
  • You must be logged on to Windows by using a computer administrator account to install and to use this Guided Help.
  • You must be running an English version of Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Media Center Edition, or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition to install and to use this Guided Help.
You must first download Guided Help. To start, click the following link:
Download Guided Help

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ )

Manual steps to back up the registry in in Windows XP

  1. Click Start, click Run, type %SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe, and then click OK.
  2. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Create a restore point, and then click Next .
  3. On the Create a Restore Point page, type a name for the restore point and then click Create
  4. After the restore point has been created, click Close.
Note If System Restore is turned off, you receive a message that asks whether you want to turn on System Restore now. Click Yes. Then, in the System Properties dialog box, click to clear the Turn off System Restore check box, click OK, and then repeat this step.
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Restore the registry

Manual steps to restore the registry in Windows XP

Use System Restore to undo registry changes in in Windows XP

  1. Click Start, click Run, type %SystemRoot%\System32\Restore\Rstrui.exe, and then click OK.
  2. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier time (if it is not already selected), and then click Next .
  3. On the Select a Restore Point page, click the system checkpoint. In the On this list select the restore point area, click an entry that is named "Guided Help (Registry Backup)," and then click Next. If a System Restore message appears that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make, click OK.
  4. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration and then restarts the computer.
  5. Log on to the computer. When the System Restore confirmation page appears, click OK..
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Similar solutions

320820  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320820/ ) How to use the Backup utility to back up files and folders in Windows XP Home Edition
308422  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308422/ ) How to use the Backup utility that is included in Windows XP to back up files and folders
309340  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309340/ ) How to use Backup to restore files and folders on your computer in Windows XP
310405  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310405/ ) How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows XP
Safekeeping the Windows XP Registry
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/honeycutt_03march17.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/honeycutt_03march17.mspx)
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Information for other Windows operating systems and advanced users

256986  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986/ ) Windows registry information for advanced users
915092  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/915092/ ) Description of Guided Help for Microsoft Knowledge Base articles
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Windows 7

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Back-up-the-registry (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Back-up-the-registry)
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Windows Vista

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Back-up-the-registry (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Back-up-the-registry)
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Update Rollup 2
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Keywords: 
kbresolve kbacwsurvey kbregistry kbgpo kbbackup kbhowtomaster kbenv KB322756
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