Back Up Your Registry

• Whenever working with registry files, always back them up before editing or manipulating them, as your Windows installation may fail if the registry files are damaged.
  
  To back up the files, click the "Start" button, and type "regedit" in the search box. Double-click the program "regedit," which will show up at the top of your "Start" window. The registry editor will open. In the upper-left corner of the program, click "File" and then click "Export." Another window will appear. In the file name text box, give your backup file a name, "regbackup" for example. Click "OK."
  
  

Locate the Registry Files with Explorer

• Click the "Start" button and then click "Computer." Double-click on your primary hard drive's icon, usually labeled "Local Disk (C:)" on most computers. Look for the "Windows" folder in the file listing that appears and double-click it. Double-click the folder called "System32" and then the folder called "config."
  
  

Identify the Registry Files

• The registry is split up into several different files. These files are named SAM, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, SYSTEM and DEFAULT. Again, use caution editing or manipulating these files. You can cause your Windows installation to fail.