So you’re messing around with the registry and maybe deleted something you shouldn’t have?
What to do?
Don’t worry. It’s easy to restore the Windows XP registry. Especially if you already have a registry backup. (You did do a backup, right?).
For now, I’m assuming you’ve backed up the registry by creating a restore point through Windows’ System Restore function in System tools.
Now, just as how when you backup the registry you have 3 different ways of doing it, it’s the same way when it comes to restoring your Windows XP registry.
And once again, I’m going to show you the easy way to do it. There are 2 other ways to do it manually, but it requires some extra technical know-how. But in later articles, I’ll also show you how to restore the registry using those two other methods in case you are technically inclined.
Okay, back to restoring your registry.
If you’re computer won’t even boot, then you’ll first need to use a recovery disk to get Windows started.
Once you’re in, here’s what you do…
8 Simple steps to restore the Windows XP Registry
Click here to safely clean and restore your Windows XP Registry
Step 1: Go to your Start menu. Do this by clicking the Start button in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.
Step 2: Then click on Programs (or All Programs if you’re using the Classic View.)
Step 3: Now go to Accessories and click that folder.
Step 4: Once you’re in Accessories, go to System Tools.
Step 5: In System Tools, click System Restore.
Step 6: Now go to the option button that says “Restore my computer to an earlier time” and click next.
Step 7: Select the name of the restore point you created earlier when backing up the Windows XP registry. Click next.
Step 8: You should now be on the “Confirm Restore Point Selection” and click next.
At this point, your computer will restart itself. When you log back into Windows XP, you’ll see a dialog box that says, “System Restore Confirmation”. Click “ok”.
See, it’s really not that hard! Just a few clicks and you’re done. Now, in order to start this process, you can also get into the System Restore program, by typing the following command in the RUN textbox of the Start Menu:
%SystemRoot%\System32\Restore\Rstrui.exe
Type it just as it appears here, and that will save you from having to click on Programs > Accessories> System Tools etc. Either way, you’ll end up in the System Restore program, which is where you want to be.
So there you have it. Now you’ve learned how to create a backup just in case you accidentally delete something in your registry that was actually important.
And you now know how to restore your Windows XP registry in case that ever does happen.
But just remember, if you’re looking to edit the registry due to performance issues with your PC (i.e. it’s been running slow or freezing) then seriously consider getting registry cleaning software. It’s the safest, easiest, and quickest way to go.
Best of all, some of the better programs out there will automatically create a backup and then let you restore the Windows XP registry if need be with a simple click of the mouse.
Either way, it’s your choice.
To faster, zippier PC performance,
Eddie T.