registry backup

If I use regedit to backup the registry, do I use merge or import to get the registry back as it was, or are they both the same?

Would you do this before any big changes or use an automatic program to do it daily?

 

A person who I speak with said he backs up the registry before installing a program. That is why I asked about it.
I would use the appropriate recovery.

Regedit is the function I am referring to when I asked about 'merge' and 'import' being the same.

Tweaking.com has its own program that backs it up and restores it as you wish e.g. daily, weekly etc. You just click a button to restore.
I used to use it and it works well but stopped when I went to 8.1 for no particular reason.
I have trouble with VMs and Sandboxie is for advanced users. I thought this was a way to be safe when I install a program. I did pick up you something you said that got me thinking.
If I backed up the registry and time elapsed before I recovered that back up, there would be problems.
That does not see to affect the tweaking program.
I would have only used a backup for an installation in case it failed.

If advisable, however, I will leave the registry alone.

David, your so called curiosity has saved my bacon on more than one occasion so thank you for posting. Have a great weekend.

I hope my reply answered both your inquiry and Tim's also.
Peter

 

I think a system restore is a safer way to handle this and it just dawned on me that it more encompassing.

 

Something else to consider is to use a program like Ashampoo Uninstaller. You install and uninstall a program with it. I have used it since 2009 and it completely removes an installed program. The trial is fully-functional.

https://www.ashampoo.com/en/zar/pin/1303/system-software/Ashampoo-UnInstaller-5

Alternatively, Revo Uninstaller Free will remove almost all orphaned files, folders, and registry keys and values.

 

Only for 32 bit software though. For 64 bit you need the paid version, or you could use Iobit Uninstaller.

 

I never had any trouble until I used these uninstallers. It never dawned on me that they are like registry cleaners and have the potential to remove valid files.
I know Revo has a great reputation but once I stopped using it I never had any issues. I think it is better to leave some orphans behind than to drop a valid file. I now err on the side of caution. I remember when I could not use Revo due to the bit issue and used Iobit. I have Ashampoo as a burner but as Earthling pointed out, with 8.1 you can do all the burning you want.

@Earthling, is there and reason to keep a 3rd party burner now that 8.1 has the abilities it has?
Peter

 

>>Do you run a system restore before using this program remover?

 

Hi Peter

Not the best person to ask as the only burning I ever do is ISOs and for that the OS feature is quite sufficient. If you have other requirements then a burning program could be needed I guess. Built-in burning is in 7 too btw.

 

Understand - no harm in leaving it as I too rarely burn except iso's.

 

No.
And Ashampoo Uninstaller is not a registry cleaner.

Ashampoo Uninstaller has 3 steps.
Step 1. It creates a backup of important files and registry entries.
Step 2. You install and run a program.
Step 3. It creates another backup of important files and registry entries, and you save the log.

All of this is done from within Ashampoo Uninstaller. When you uninstall the program with Ashampoo Uninstaller, the two backups are compared, and the files, folders, and registry keys and values that are present in backup 2, but not in backup 1, are removed. Ingenious.

I have more than 5 years experience using Ashampoo Uninstaller. It's perfect.

I'm sending you a message which is not a suggestion but just some FYI.

 

That is good to know and thank you for the information.
I though all program removers were the same. My bad.

 

I usually image to external hard drives each week or so but keep the oldest image as a OS disc so to speak for a clean install.
Weekly I also update all data files on 2 separate flash drives.
All files are out of the machine and in my hands.

I cannot help but think these program removers are like cleaners in the respect that they are removing files and can delete valid ones.
Otherwise how do they function?
I feel losing a valid file is worse than leaving behind a few orphans. I never have had an issue since I stopped using Revo and Iobit.

If you are proficient with the registry and can examine hat is being removed that would be, in my mind, an acceptable procedure, but, if you cannot, I do not think one should maneuver the registry.

 

Have another gr 8 t weekend.