Your registry is the central database where all your settings and most vital information that will run you computer is stored. To be more specific, it is where the system configuration of your Windows is found. Not only that, it also contains data on your hardware configuration, all the programs you have installed as well as documents. Lastly, it is where the data and settings of your Control Panel are found.

Thus, any changes you make to personalize your computer will be kept in the registry. You have all the named values, keys, and sub keys. When there are problems with your registry, your computer will start to get sluggish and even crash if the damage is severe. This is essentially why Microsoft recommends a regular backup of the registry files, especially if you are planning to edit the registry.

Depending on the operating systems you are using, registry files can be located using different commands. For instance, if you are using:

Windows XP, 2000, or Vista, you need to go the Documents and Settings, and then to User Name or Windows to System32 and then to Config

Windows 95, 98, or ME, your registry files are in Windows - Profile or in System.dat, User.dat, or Policy.pol

If your o/s is Windows NT, 2000, XP, or Vista, the registry files can be found at the Security, System.alt, Default, Sam, Software, System, or Ntuser.dat.

To back up these files, it is possible to go around the protected files if you are using Windows 2000, NT, Vista, or XP, Windows XP has a System Restore feature which you can use to perform the backup procedure.

To do this, follow these simple steps:

Click on Start, and then on Run. A window will open, here you will see the Open command. Type in regedit, and then click on Ok. Next, look for the root subkey and click on it. This subkey contains all the values and child subkeys that you need to backup. Then go to File, and click on Export. You will be prompted to type in a file name as well as the location where you plan to keep the .reg file. Do this, keeping in mind that the file name should be something you can remember, then click on Save.

The earlier Windows o/s systems are much easier to back up, and while it is harder to backup the Windows 2000, Vista, and NT registry files, it is possible.

However, why go to all the trouble and risks when you can get a truly remarkable registry repair program that can do the task for you quickly and risk-free. What's more, it will be able to navigate around delicate files automatically, and keep your computer safe from danger

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