Saving XP registry

I have to reinstall my XP OS and (thinking ahead for next time) rather then reinstall all the apps, re-tweak, updates, etc... I would like to get other opinions on these strategies before I proceed and I'm open to other ideas too.

What I'm thinking is if I backup my registry and just reinstall windows (in it's own partition?), can I restore the registry and save time without having to re-install everything else?

I can image the drive periodically too.

A third idea is to use Virtual PC or VMware but you still need the original OS to be kept safe.

Thanks!

 

I run Erunt 1.1j from MG at
http://majorgeeks.com/download1267.html
ERUNT - The Emergency Recovery Utility NT will help you Backup, restore and optimize your NT/2000/XP registry.

Features:
- Backup the Windows NT/2000/XP registry to a folder of your choice.
- System and current user registries selectable.
- Command-line switches for automated use of ERUNT
- Restore the registry in Windows 9x/Me/NT/2000/XP and MS-DOS (all-in-one restore program)
- All programs in this package are completely localizable.

Also included in this package is NTREGOPT; a program for optimizing the registry. Works well too.
Date: 2005-10-28
Size: 773 KB
License: Freeware
Requires: Win All
Downloaded: 93677 Times
Rating: 4.84 (116 votes)

Excellent rating out or 5.0

Although no update for nearly 5 years, it still works perfectly on my XP Pro, SP3 laptop.

Every day you start your PC it makes an automatic copy of your Registry. This is for the first bootup of the day, only.
If you never turn your PC off, then this could be a problem.

If anything goes wrong with your Registry you can simply restore your Registry to the first bootup of the day. :major :cool

Remember to visit C:\WINDOWS\ERDNT\AutoBackup once a week, or so, to delete old Registry backups. I usually keep the most recent 2 and delete the rest.

Just beware, that ERUNT keeps it's copy in the ...\ERDNT\AutoBackup Folder. These accumulate daily unless you delete them occasionally. I keep the last 2 days copies.

An MG member gave me an automatic way to keep a specified number of Registry backups (and delete the rest), but I can't find his suggestion just now. :-o

Bazza

 

Backing up the Windows registry will not prevent you from having to reinstall your applications after a Windows reinstall.

But backing up your entire system on a regular basis will certainly prevent you from ever having to reinstall Windows. A good backup tool like Acronis (http://majorgeeks.com/Acronis_True_Image_Home_2010_d2236.html) will do that job nicely.

I'm sure there are also good free backup tools out there; hopefully someone can provide some names.

 

True, pwillener, re backing up your Registry before a re-install, you are quite correct. . My bad. :-o
Acronis is the one I use. It costs $$$, but worth it, IMHO.

As for backup programs, check out:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads3.html
Lots of $$$ and a few FREE ones.

and

Must have Free downloads at
http://www.majorgeeks.com/page.php?id=20

Hope this helps.

Bazza

===