When you start your computer successfully, the Windows Registry Checker tool (Scanreg.exe) creates a backup of system files and registry configuration information (including user account information, protocol bindings, software program settings, and user preferences) once daily.

Summary. Regsvr32 is a command-line utility to register and unregister OLE controls, such as DLLs and ActiveX controls in the Windows Registry. Regsvr32.exe is installed in the %systemroot%\System32 folder in Windows XP and later versions of Windows.

Regedit.exe uses .reg files to import and export registry subkeys and values. You can use these .reg files to remotely distribute registry changes to several Windows-based computers. When you run a .reg file, the file contents merge into the local registry.

How to back up and restore the registry in Windows. Back up the registry manually. Select Start , type regedit.exe in the search box, and then press Enter. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

To do this, follow these steps. Click the Startbutton and type regedit in the Search box. Right-click Regedit.exe in the returned list and click Run as administrator. Browse to the following registry key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe. With .exe selected, right-click (Default) and click Modify… Change the Value data: to exefile.

This article describes the command-line switches you can use when you run the MS-DOS version (Scanreg.exe) or the Windows version (Scanregw.exe) of the Registry Checker tool.

Learn how to activate Windows using a product key or digital license, check your activation status, and link your Microsoft account.

Learn how to update drivers in Windows using Device Manager to update or reinstall a driver.

The Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter helps you automatically repair issues when you're blocked from installing or removing programs. It also fixes corrupted registry keys. First, you'll need to download the troubleshooter.

The Microsoft .NET Framework Registration Correction Tool (msipatchregfix.exe) corrects a limited set of Windows Installer (MSI) registration corruption issues for .NET Framework updates.