How to backup complete windows registry locally

Before starting any editing on the Windows Registry please backup by opening windows registry by the following steps:

• To Manually backup Windows Registry :

  • Please open Windows Run Box by pressing WINDOWS + R key on you keyboard.
  • Then enter regedit.exe and press SHIFT + ENTER on your keyboard to run the command in administrator mode.

• This will ask you to enter your administrator username and password or click on yes. Please enter the password or click on yes.

• Now Windows Registry will be open and if any folders are open please sroll bar on the left panel to top from the current location

• Now click on File on the top left corner of the screen and click on export.

• You have to Choose the following options in the next menu:
  • The localtion/folder to save the registry file
  • The Name of the Backup file
  • On the bottom left of the pop up Select All to backup complete registry or alternatively Selected branch to backup only the selected branch as required

• Click on Save and backup is completed now you can check the backup file location once to confirm if the file has been created sucessfully.
  

• To Backup Windows Registry through powershell :
  

• Here's the PowerShell script that accomplishes these tasks:
  
  # Step 1: Create a backup folder if it does not exist
$backupFolderPath = "C:\Windows\RegistryBackup"
if (!(Test-Path -Path $backupFolderPath -PathType Container)) {
Write-Host "Creating backup folder: $backupFolderPath"
New-Item -Path $backupFolderPath -ItemType Directory -Force | Out-Null
}

# Step 2: Backup registry for each root key
$rootKeys = @(
"HKCU",
"HKLM",
"HKU",
"HKCR",
"HKCC"
)

foreach ($rootKey in $rootKeys) {
# Define export path for the current root key
$regPath = Join-Path -Path $backupFolderPath -ChildPath "$rootKey.reg"

# Backup the current root key
Write-Host "Exporting $rootKey to $regPath"
reg export "$rootKey" "$regPath" /y
}

# Step 3: List the steps performed
Write-Host "Backup completed successfully!"
Write-Host "Steps performed:"
Write-Host "1. Created backup folder: $backupFolderPath"
foreach ($rootKey in $rootKeys) {
$regPath = Join-Path -Path $backupFolderPath -ChildPath "$rootKey.reg"
Write-Host "2. Exported $rootKey to $regPath"
}


• Explanation of the powershell script:
• 1. **Create Backup Folder**:
  - The script first defines `$backupFolderPath` as `C:\Windows\RegistryBackup`.
  - It checks if this folder exists using `Test-Path`.
  - If the folder does not exist (`!()` means "not"), it creates it using `New-Item`.
  
  2. **Backup Registry**:
  - The script then exports parts of the registry using the `reg export` command:
  - `HKCU` (HKEY_CURRENT_USER) is exported to `$regCUPath`.
  - `HKLM` (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE) is exported to `$regLMPath`.
  - `$regCUPath` and `$regLMPath` are created using `Join-Path` to ensure correct paths.
  
  3. **List Steps**:
  - After performing the backup, the script outputs a summary of steps taken using `Write-Host`.
  
  ### Notes:
  - **Permissions**: Running PowerShell scripts may require administrative privileges, especially when dealing with the registry.
  - **Testing**: Always test scripts in a non-production environment before using them in a production setting.
  - **Backup Frequency**: Regularly backing up the registry is a good practice, particularly before making significant changes to your system.
  
  This script provides a straightforward way to automate the backup of specific parts of the Windows registry to a designated folder, ensuring that the folder is created if it doesn't already exist. Adjust paths and exported registry keys (`HKCU`, `HKLM`, etc.) as needed for your specific backup requirements.