Backing up the registry in Windows Vista is never a bad idea. It’s easy to start making changes to your computer without backing up the files you’re working on, but that’s a little bit like walking a tightrope without a net. Whenever you make changes to a sensitive area of the computer, like the registry, you should always make a backup. Even if you haven’t made any obvious changes, backing up the registry periodically is an excellent idea.

No Matter What Else You Do, Back Up Your Registry

If you’re adventurous enough to edit your computer’s Registry file, you’ll want to make a backup before you start any heavy lifting. You can make a backup of the Registry’s state at any time using RegEdit. To make a backup copy of the registry, open RegEdit via the search box in the Start menu.

Once RegEdit is open, select “computer” from the left pane of the user interface. Choose File > Export. Select a location in your file system to place the registry’s export file. If you want to be very safe, export the registry file to an external location like a thumb drive. You could also write your registry file to a writeable CD and store it in a safe location, preferably away from the computer.

A good naming strategy is something like RegBackup200904301. Each time you make a backup of the registry, name the file and include the full date and a simple serial number with the file. That way, if you make more than one backup of the file in a day, you can increment the last number and keep your backup versions easily identified.

If you ever have to restore the Registry using a backup file, open RegEdit and choose File > Import and select the backup file.

RegCure always backs up the registry before making any changes to it. This allows you to revert back to the system state you had prior to the changes RegCure makes. You always have the opportunity to reject suggested changes as well, so you don’t have to give up control of your system when you work with RegCure.

Your registry is a work in progress, and over time, many changes accumulate. Developing a regular backup routine for the Registry is a good idea. You may want to back up your registry every month or quarter, and before loading new software on your computer. If you back up your registry before installing new software, you can more easily recover your system if the new software causes problems. It may also help you clan up after a virus, spyware or adware mishap.

Photo Credit: Alexaner Muse