How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP

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This article was previously published under Q322756

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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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

Click Start, click Run, type %SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe, and then click OK.
On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Create a restore point, and then click Next .
On the Create a Restore Point page, type a name for the restore point and then click Create
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

Click Start, click Run, type %SystemRoot%\System32\Restore\Rstrui.exe, and then click OK.
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 .
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.
On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration and then restarts the computer.
Log on to the computer. When the System Restore confirmation page appears, click OK..