Back Up Your Registry
Frankie asked the Answer Line forum for the best way to back up the Windows Registry.
Backing up the Windows Registry isn't as important as backing up your data (including photos, music, and documents), but it's still a good idea. If Windows starts acting seriously weird, restoring the Registry to a point when it was healthy could save you a lot of grief.
Windows provides two methods for backing up your Registry. I'll discuss both of them, then tell you of a better, third-party yet free solution.
System Restore: Windows' built-in, semi-automated system backup tool protects a lot of important files in addition to the Registry. Windows is supposed to create a restore point (translation: backup) every day or so automatically, but don't trust that to happen. To create your own restore point in XP, select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore. Select Create a restore point, click Next and follow the wizard. In Vista, click Start, right-click Computer and select Properties. Click the System protection link, then the Create button.
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Regedit: Yes, you can back up the Registry using Windows' Registry editor. To launch the editor, select Start, Run (just Start in Vista), type regedit, and press ENTER. To make a backup, select File, Export. For the 'Export range,' select All, and otherwise do what you do in this sort of dialog box.
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