How to back up the Windows registry

The Windows registry stores critical settings for the operating system and installed applications, so a single incorrect edit can turn a quick tweak into a recovery exercise. Exporting a registry backup creates a rollback point before changing keys or importing unfamiliar .reg files.

The Registry Editor (regedit) exposes the registry as a tree of keys and values across multiple hives, such as HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and HKEY_CURRENT_USER. Using File → Export writes the selected scope to a .reg text file that can later be merged back into the registry.

Exporting the entire registry can create a large file and may require administrative privileges to include system-wide hives. The .reg format stores keys and values but not registry key permissions, and importing a file merges into the current registry rather than reverting everything to a point-in-time snapshot, so pairing exports with a restore point provides a safer recovery path on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

1. Open the Run dialog with Windows + R.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
3. Select Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
4. Select Computer at the top of the registry tree.

   Exporting from Computer includes all hives visible to the current session.

5. Open File → Export.
6. Select All under Export range.

   Use Selected branch to export only the highlighted key subtree.

7. Enter a backup file name ending with .reg in the export dialog.

   Include a date in the name (for example, registry-backup-2025-12-22.reg) to keep multiple snapshots organized.

8. Choose a folder to store the backup file.
9. Click Save to export the registry backup file.

   Store the exported .reg file securely, and never import an untrusted .reg file.

10. Confirm the backup file exists in the selected folder.
11. Open the backup file using Edit to view it in Notepad.

    Double-clicking a .reg file triggers an import prompt.

12. Confirm the first line is Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00.