Windows 8 In Depth

Backing Up the Registry

You can back up the Registry in several ways, including (in order of preference) using a third-party Registry-backup program, backing up the entire hard disk using a third-party program or File Recovery, using System Restore, and using the Registry Editor to save a key to a text file. In general, backups that include the entire hard disk should include the Registry, because the Registry’s data is stored in ordinary files. Some backup applications have a Registry backup as an explicit option. Windows built-in System Restore feature backs up the HKLM registry section automatically.

We suggest that before you install a piece of new hardware or a significant software application or update, do a full disk backup, including ...