One option available in the Backup utility is the System State. The System State is a group of important Windows XP files including the registry, the system files, the boot files, and the COM + Class Registration database. With the Backup utility, you cannot back up or restore these items individually. They are all needed because they depend on one another to operate properly. The registry files are located in a folder normally labeled %systemroot% \ Repair \ Regbackup, which is normally C: \ WINNT (or WINDOWS. depending on the type of installation) \REPAIR \ BACKUP. The registry can be restored without having to restore the other System State files.