The Windows Registry is the main repository of the Windows operating system; it houses all the information necessary to keep your computer running smoothly and efficiently. Windows Registry stores all the pertinent data required by your operating system – from the size and type of fonts required for various programs, the number of authorized users the system will allow, which programs to activate at boot-up to the many other options available on each toolbar and menu. Below you will read some tried and true tips on how to fix windows registry errors.
Due to its large and intricate structure, the Windows Registry can be quite intimidating to the average user – and justifiably so. The Registry is absolutely crucial to the proper management of Windows; however, when approached in a knowledgeable manner, Windows Registry can be edited in a way that provides optimum performance of the operating system. On the other hand, improper manipulation of Windows Registry can cause your entire system to become irrevocably compromised in the blink of an eye.
Why is Backing up the Registry so Important?
Because of its volatile complexity and because the operating system is so dependent on the myriad of code imbedded within the Registry, it is imperative that you properly backup Windows Registry before you attempt to edit it. Although restoration of the Windows Registry has been made easier due to technological advancements built into Windows software, it is still a more prudent move to conduct a manual backup of the Registry prior to conducting any code-altering maneuvers.
Because you can store a backup of Windows Registry on a removable media, such as a floppy disc or CD, the necessary information can easily be restored in order to revert the Registry back to a stable condition should your system inadvertently crash.
Steps to Take in order to perform a Windows Registry Backup
Manual Backup:
1. Open REGEDIT. (Go to the start menu, hit ‘run’ and type ‘regedit’). Make sure that ‘my computer’ is highlighted.
2. Click on file/export.
3. Enter the desired location to save the exported file. (Windows Registry will be saved as a single file)
4. Choose the type of file you want to create. (Although there are many options available as to file type, the easiest one to use is: ‘.reg’ – which, when activated during restoration will copy over any changes that may have been made to the existing segments of the registry – while maintaining any additions made to the registry after the backup)
5. Click on the ‘all’ button at the bottom of the screen to ensure the entire registry gets backed up. Click on ‘save’.
Using Windows Backup:
Windows has a built in backup utility (which is automatically installed on the hard drive with Professional version, but must be loaded from the CD with Home version). In order to activate this software you must open the backup utility: (startall programsaccessoriessystem toolsbackup).
By using this utility, a copy of the Registry can be performed and Windows Registry may be restored when necessary.
Tweaking the Registry can be very dangerous if you do not know what you are doing; so, non-technical or newer users would probably be wiser to use one of the many registry repair software applications designed to safely manipulate Registry files. A quick Google search will steer in the right direction for programs like Error Doctor, which can help find and fix error problems, or Registry Easy, which allows users to clean up overburdened Registry files. In addition, there are several other programs that will seek and destroy any malicious content in the Registry that could potentially totally disable your operating system.
Regardless of which method you use to edit the Registry, you should ALWAYS make sure you conduct a full backup before editing the Registry.
In order for you to keep the operating system of your computer operating efficiently and safely, it is a good idea to conduct regular Registry scans (there are also several programs available that do this for you). Regularly scanning the Registry files will allow users to find and correct errors before they become major problems that can adversely affect the operating system of your computer.