The registry is a database that contains information about the Windows XP environment including installed hardware, software, and users. The registry should be backed up whenever the computer is fully functional and when any software or hardware changes are made. The registry should be backed up and restored on a working computer before disaster hits. The time to learn how to resore registry is not when the computer is down.

The registry can be backed up and restored several different ways. The two most common methods used are the REG EDIT and the Backup tools. The REG EDIT program allows you to export the registry to a file that has an extension of .REG. The file can be imported back into the computer if the computer fails. The REG EDIT program and the Backup utility both back up the entire registry. Refer to Figure XP -1 for a sample screenshot.