How to create Registry backup on Windows 10

To create a backup of the Windows 10 Registry, open System Restore and click on Create. (The restore point will include a copy of the Registry.)
To restore the Registry form backup, open the System Restore wizard and select the restore point.

Changes to the Registry on Windows 10 can cause issues and prevent your computer from starting correctly. As such, even if you know your way around the database, a backup of the Registry can help restore the original settings if something goes wrong.

The Registry has been part of Windows for a long time, and it’s a hierarchical database that stores low-level settings of the operating system and those applications designed to use the Registry.

Although modifying this database is not a good idea, there may come a time when you’ll have to add or edit specific keys to fix something or tweak the operating system. Having a Registry backup can help restore your computer to working condition when this day comes.

There are many ways to create a backup of the Windows Registry, but the quickest and easiest way is by using System Restore.

System Restore is a tool built into Windows 10 (and in older versions) that lets you restore your device to a previous state when everything worked correctly. When you create a restore point, the tool will back up system files, installed applications, system settings, and the Registry. Then, you can use the same tool to restore your device to a working condition.

In this guide, I’ll teach you the steps to create a Registry backup on Windows 10 using System Restore and restore the database even when your computer can’t boot. If you’re on Windows 11, the instructions to back up this database are very similar.

Create Registry backup on Windows 10
Restore Registry backup on Windows 10

Create Registry backup on Windows 10

To create a backup of the Registry on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open Start on Windows 10.
Search for Create a restore point and click the top result to open the app.
Select the system drive and click the Configure button under the “Protection Settings” section.
Select the “Turn on system protection” option.
Click the Apply button.
Click the OK button.
Click the Create button.
Confirm a name for the restore point. (You can use any name, but make it descriptive.)
Click the Create button.
Click the Close button.
Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, you can modify the Registry, knowing that you can always revert to the previous settings.

Restore Registry backup on Windows 10

There are at least three ways to restore the Registry using the System Restore feature. If you still have access to your computer’s desktop, you can use System Restore to restore the database to its previous state while the operating system is loaded. If the computer doesn’t start correctly, you can use the recovery tool in Safe mode or the Advanced Startup settings.

Follow this guide to learn how to boot in Safe Mode. Then, you can continue with the steps below. If you can’t boot your computer, use this guide to access the Advanced startup options on Windows 10. While in the Advanced startup options, click System Restore, and then continue with the steps below on step 4.

To restore the Registry from backup on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Create a restore point, and click the top result to open the app.
Click the System Restore button.
Click the Next button.
Select the restore point to restore the Registry to an earlier version.
Click the Next button.
Click the Finish button.

You’ll also need to restart your computer to complete the process.

Using a restore point won’t affect any of your files, but it will restore a previous version of the Registry, as well as system settings, system files, and applications you may have installed since the last backup will be removed.

Update June 25, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.