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How to REALLY backup the Windows Registry

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How to REALLY backup the Windows Registry

By Stephen Bucaro

In Windows 3.x configuration information was stored in

human readable text files like win.ini, system.ini,

config.sys, and autoexec.bat. But that method of storing

configuration was inadequate to store configuration for

the enormous amount of bloat Microsoft put into Windows 95

and higher.

In Windows 95 and higher, configuration information is

stored in the "registry". The word "registry" rarely

appears without being accompanied by the word "warning",

and a vague description of how your computer will go up in

smoke if you even think about messing with the registry.

The registry is bloated and overcomplicated, but since it

is the central repository for almost all of Windows

configuration information, you will probably have to deal

with it sooner or later. In fact, if you ever require the

assistance of a support technician, the first thing they

will instruct you to do is open registry editor.

It is perfectly safe for you to work with the registry,

provided that you back it up first (and you know how to

restore it). Windows automatically creates a backup of the

registry every time you start your computer. But when you

are making configuration changes, you usually have to

reboot your computer several times, possibly writing bad

data to the backup.

To make your own backup of the registry, start your system

with your startup floppy disk. (If you can’t find your

startup disk, use the Add/Remove utility in Control Panel

to make a new one. Place a copy of the file attrib.exe

from the c:windowscommand folder on the disk.)

After you start your system with your startup disk, use

DOS to change to the C:WINDOWS directory (type c: then

cd windows). Then carefully type in the following DOS

commands.

attrib -s -h -r system.dat

attrib -s -h -r user.dat

copy system.dat c:

copy user.dat c:

attrib +s +h +r system.dat

attrib +s +h +r user.dat

Note: if your system is Windows Me, also back up

classes.dat

Then remove the startup disk and restart your system.

Why did I put you through such a laborious method just to

make a copy of two files? Could you just use Window’s

Explorer to copy the files? Could you use the Registry

Editor (Regedit) to back up the registry (or Windows Me

System Restore)?

Yes, you could. But what if your system crashed so that it

can’t even start in Safe Mode? Then you can’t use any of

those Windows programs to restore the registry. I put you

through the DOS method to make sure:

1. The boot sequence in your BIOS is setup to boot from

the A: drive.

2. You have the minimum proficiency with DOS to restore

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the registry if required.

3. To make sure that you have a copy of attrib.exe on your

startup disk.

To restore the registry, start your system with your

startup disk. Use DOS to change to the c:windows

directory. Then type in the following commands.

attrib -s -h -r system.dat

attrib -s -h -r user.dat

del system.dat

del user.dat

cd

copy system.dat c:windows

copy user.dat c:windows

cd windows

attrib +s +h +r system.dat

attrib +s +h +r user.dat

Then remove the startup disk and restart your system.

My advice is to frequently use Windows Explorer to make

copies of the registry files. Make copies of the registry

files before you install any hardware or software or make

any changes to the registry. Make sure you are prepared

to use your startup disk and DOS to restore the registry.

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