How to Restore Registry in Windows 10

 

How to Restore the Registry in Windows

1. 1. Locate the backup file that you made before making whatever changes to the Windows Registry that you now want to reverse.

   Having trouble locating the backup file? Assuming you actually did export some data from the registry, look for a file ending in the REG file extension. Check your Desktop or Documents, and in the root folder of your C: drive. It might also help to know that a REG file icon looks like a broken Rubik's cube in front of a piece of paper. If you still can't find it, try searching for *.reg files with Everything.

2. 2. Double-click or double-tap the REG file to open it.

   Note: Depending on how you have Windows configured, you could see a User Account Control dialog box appear next. You'll need to confirm that you want to open Registry Editor, which you never actually see because it only runs in the background as part of the registry restore process.

3. 3. Choose Yes on the message prompt. The text differs between operating systems but will be one of these two:

• Adding information can unintentionally change or delete values and cause components to stop working correctly. If you do not trust the source of this information in [REG file], do not add it to the registry. Are you sure you want to continue?
• Are you sure you want to add the information in [REG file] to the registry?

1. 

   IMPORTANT: This isn't a message to be taken lightly. If you're importing a REG file that you didn't create yourself, or one you downloaded from a source you can't trust, please know that depending on what the REG file will change, you could cause considerable damage to Windows. If you're not sure whether that REG file is the right one, right-click it or tap-and-hold it to find the edit option, and then read through the text to make sure it looks right.

2. 4. Assuming the registry key(s) import was successful, you should receive a message like one of these that you can select OK on:

• The keys and values contained in [REG file] have been successfully added to the registry.
• Information in [REG file] has been successfully entered into the registry.

1. At this point, the registry keys contained in the REG file have now been restored or added to the Windows Registry. If you know where the registry keys were located, you can open Registry Editor and verify that the changes were made as you expected.

2. Note: The backed up REG file will remain on your computer until you delete it. Just because the file still exists after you've imported it doesn't necessarily mean that the restore didn't work. You're welcome to delete this file if you don't need it anymore.

3. 5. Restart your computer. Depending on the changes that were made restoring the registry keys, you may need to restart to see them take effect in Windows, or whatever program(s) the keys and values that were restored pertains to.