Registry Backup Using Resource Kit Utilities

Resource Kit software products can simplify the process of administering and supporting Windows NT/2000/XP or Windows Server 2003. Normally, any software product of this type includes a distribution CD and several volumes of supplementary documentation. Despite the fact that Microsoft doesn't officially support Resource Kit products and doesn't provide any warranties, Resource Kit utilities are valuable tools for the experienced system administrator. Furthermore, Microsoft warns customers that they use these tools at their own risk. Resource Kit utilities aren't subject to localization; they were only tested with the U.S. versions of Windows NT/2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003, and their usage with localized versions may lead to unforeseeable results.

Despite of all the concerns mentioned above, Resource Kit software is very popular among system administrators, support specialists, and programmers. Most Resource Kit utilities were developed for internal use, and they significantly extend existing OS functionality. It's not surprising, then, that Resource Kits also contain registry tools.

Caution 

Resource Kit utilities intended for working with the system registry are command-line tools. Use these tools with caution. Note that registry editors, which at least have a graphic user interface, are much easier to use. When using the Resource Kit command-line utilities for modifying the registry, you need to have a proper understanding of the changes you're going to make in the local or remote registry.

The REG Command-Line Utility

The REG Resource Kit utility allows you to add, modify, delete, and search registry keys and values, and to perform registry backup and restore and other administrative operations. This command-line utility can also be used in the batch files. It can operate over both local and remote registries.

The REG utility implements the functionality of the following registry tools from the Resource Kit versions, earlier than Windows 2000 Resource Kit: Regchg.exe, Regdel.exe, Regdir.exe, Regread.exe, Regsec.exe, Restkey.exe, Rregchg.exe, and Savekey.exe. In Windows 2000, it replaces all of these utilities. Starting with Windows XP, Reg.exe tool is built into the OS. Detailed information on the Reg.exe command-line syntax will be provided in Chapter 15.

To backup and restore the registry using Reg.exe command-line tool, use the following commands:

  • REG SAVE and REG BACKUP

    Saves the indicated registry values, keys, or hives to the specified file. This command is particularly useful for backing up the registry before introducing any changes. The REG SAVE and REG BACKUP commands are identical.

  • REG RESTORE

    Restores the specified value, key, or hive from the file created using the REG SAVE or REG BACKUP commands.

    The REG SAVE and REG BACKUP commands use the following syntax:

       REG SAVE RegistryPath FileName [\\Machine]   REG BACKUP RegistryPath FileName [\\Machine] 

The RegistryPath argument specifies the registry path to the registry key or value in the following format: [ROOTKEY\]Key.

The ROOTKEY parameter specifies the registry root key containing the key to be backed up (the default value of this parameter is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE).

The root key may be specified using one of the following abbreviations:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE---HKLM   HKEY_CURRENT_USER---HKCU   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT---HKCR   HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIGURATION---HKCC

Key-this parameter specifies the complete path to the registry key contained within the root key specified by the ROOTKEY parameter.

FileName-this parameter specifies the file name (without an extension) where the registry data will be saved. (On a local computer, this file will be stored in the current directory. When working with remote systems, this file will be saved in the Windows installation directory.)

Machine-this parameter specifies the name of the remote computer (by default, the local system is used). Use a UNC notation when specifying computer names. For example: \\STATION1.

Note 

Only HKLM and HKU keys are available when working with remote systems.

The REG RESTORE command supports the following syntax:

   REG RESTORE FileName KeyName [\\Machine] 

where:

FileName-name of the file to be restored (without the filename extension). This parameter should specify a file previously created using REG SAVE or REG BACKUP.

KeyName-name of the registry key, in the following format: [ROOTKEY\]Key.

Key-complete path to the registry key contained within the root key specified by the ROOTKEY parameter.

Machine-name of the remote system in UNC format (by default, the local computer will be used).



Windows Server 2003 Registry
Unicode Explained
ISBN: 1931769214
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2005
Pages: 129

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