Method 1: Using System Restore
One way to backup the registry is to create a System Restore snapshot. System Restore returns your computer to a previous snapshot without losing recent personal information, such as documents, history lists, favorites, or e-mail. It monitors the computer and many applications for changes and creates restore points. You restore these snapshots when your configuration isn't working. This method is unreliable in case you want to rollback the registry changes made a longtime ago, in which case the System Restore might have purged that particular restore point - due to space constraints or due to a recent system restore point or even a Restore point corruption. Please remember, System Restore points get deleted for many reasons, making it unreliable, especially in the long run.
Mehtod 2: Backing up the selected branch of the registry by exporting
(reliable)
This method is preferred if you're making changes to a specific key/area of the registry. To backup a selected branch/key in the registry, try this:
- Click Start, and then click Run.
- In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK
- Locate and then click the key that contains the value that you want to edit
- On the File menu, click Export.
- In the Save in box, select a location where you want to save the Registration Entries (.reg)
- In the File name box, type a file name, and then click Save.
