35. Backup The Registry
The Registry is the heart and soul of Windows;
damage it and the chances are the Windows Operating
system will stop working. It is for this reason that
registry editing should only be undertaken by those
who are familiar with the way it works, and are
competent enough to make any necessary changes.
While it is possible to follow step by step
instructions in order to edit the registry, the
first precaution necessary, prior to even attempting
to make alterations, is to ensure that you have a
current backup of the registry, either as a full
backup or a backup of the respective registry hive.
Should disaster strike and a registry edit go wrong
you will, at least, have a working backup with which
to replace the damaged registry hive.
To backup the registry proceed as follows:
1/ Click Start.
2/ From the menu click
Run.
3/ In the Run dialog box type:
regedit
4/ The Windows registry Editor
will now open.
5/ Click the File option on the
main toolbar and, from the
drop down menu, select Export.
6/ In the Export Registry File dialog box
select All.
7/ Now name the file.
8/ Finally click the Save
button.
9/ To return the registry back to its original
state should something go wrong simply click on the
File option on the main registry editor
toolbar and then select Import.