(3 Simple Solutions) How to Safely Reset the Registry in Windows 10

Why Reset the Registry in Windows 10

Windows 10 is a vast operating system with numerous settings within the Registry. This means that whenever you make changes to Windows 10 or intend to install a program, the Registry is updated to reflect these modifications. Furthermore, the Windows Registry serves as a repository for a multitude of data elements, containing information about how the operating system should function. Most of the alterations you make to the system affect the Registry, causing it to modify, add, and frequently delete values.

In today's guide, we will discuss how to reset the Windows 10 registry, introduce a tool that aids in recovering lost data during the process, and address some frequently asked questions. Let's begin!

Preparing for Registry Reset in Windows 10

Information about the behavior of the Windows operating system is stored in the Windows Registry. If you reset the registry, you'll lose all this data. Thus, it's crucial to create a backup before proceeding. In cases where a system image includes the Windows registry, you can use third-party backup software, such as Todo Backup, to create a backup of your Windows 10 PC.

Todo Backup Home is a practical backup solution for Windows 11/10/8/7. This acclaimed backup tool offers comprehensive protection against data loss, which can happen at any time due to PC issues or registry resets. With this tool, you can ensure the safety of your Windows 10's crucial file or image backups. It enables you to create a system backup and back up partitions, disks, and more. Furthermore, it allows you to clone an M.2 SSD to a larger M.2 SSD and provides 250GB of free cloud storage.

The detailed steps to create a system backup for a Windows 10 computer are as follows: 1. **Access Backup Settings**: Click on the Start menu, type "Control Panel" in the search bar, and open it. Alternatively, you can search for "Backup" settings directly from the Start menu. 2. **Choose Backup Options**: In the Control Panel, select "System and Security," then click on "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)" or "Create a restore point." 3. **Set Up Backup**: In the Backup and Restore window, click on "Set up backup." This will initiate the backup configuration wizard. 4. **Select Backup Drive**: Choose the external hard drive or USB drive where you want to save your system backup. Make sure the drive is connected to your computer and has enough storage space. 5. **Choose What to Backup**: You'll be asked if you want to back up all files or just specific folders. It's recommended to choose "Let me choose" to include important system files and personal data. 6. **Customize Backup**: If you selected "Let me choose," you can now add or remove specific folders and drives to include in the backup. Be sure to include the "System Reserved" partition if it's available, as it contains crucial system files. 7. **Schedule Backup**: You can opt to schedule automatic backups by clicking on "More options" and selecting a preferred schedule (daily, weekly, or monthly). This ensures your system is regularly backed up. 8. **Start Backup**: Once you've made your selections, click "Save settings and exit" followed by "Back up now" to start the backup process. This may take some time depending on the amount of data. 9. **Monitor Progress**: Keep an eye on the progress bar during the backup. Do not turn off your computer or disconnect the backup drive until the process is complete. 10. **Verify Backup**: After the backup is finished, you can verify its integrity by checking the backup settings and ensuring the date and size of the backup reflect the recent data. Remember, having a regular system backup is crucial in case of any unforeseen issues or data loss. Always keep your backup drive in a safe place.

Step 1. Launch Todo Backup on your computer, and click Create Backup on the home screen. Then, hit the big question mark to select backup contents.

Step 2. To back up your Windows operating system, click "OS" to start the backup task.

Step 3. Your Windows operating system information and all system-related files and partitions will be selected automatically, so there’s no need for manual selection here. Next, choose a location to save your system image backup by clicking the highlighted area.

Step 4. The backup location can be another local drive on your computer, an external hard drive, network, cloud, or NAS. Generally, we recommend using an external physical drive or cloud to store your system backup files.

Step 5. If interested, you can access customization settings such as enabling an automatic backup schedule for daily, weekly, monthly intervals, or upon specific events, as well as creating differential and incremental backups by clicking on the Options button. Once ready, click "Backup Now" to initiate the Windows system backup process. Upon completion, the finished backup task will be displayed on the left side in a card format.

3 Ways to Reset the Registry in Windows 10 PC

If you've accidentally damaged the Windows 10 registry due to a manual error or another mishap, you might be wondering how to reset it back to its default state. First, let's explore the various methods for cleaning the Windows registry.

• Solution 1. Fully Reset the Registry by Resetting your Windows PC
• Solution 2. Reset Registry Changes via Registry Editor
• Solution 3. Reset Recent Registry Changes via System Restore

Solution 1: Fully Reset the Registry by Restoring your Windows PC

Although there is no straightforward method to reset the registry in Windows 10 without any issues, the registry holds a substantial amount of information about the specific configuration of the operating system. Resetting it to a pristine state without causing your machine to become unusable is not possible.

Therefore, the most genuine method to restore the registry to its default state is to reset the Windows PC. Here are the steps to reset the registry comprehensively: 1. Backup important data: Before proceeding, ensure that you have backed up all your crucial files and documents as the resetting process will erase everything. 2. Open Settings: Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app. 3. Go to Update & Security: In the Settings window, click on the "Update & Security" option. 4. Click on Recovery: On the left sidebar, select the "Recovery" tab. 5. Choose Reset this PC: Under the "Reset this PC" section, you'll see two options - "Keep my files" and "Remove everything." If you want a full reset, including the registry, choose "Remove everything." 6. Additional options: In the next screen, you can choose whether to clean the drive using the Fast or Full reset. The Fast reset preserves your user files but might not fully reset the registry. For a complete reset, choose the "Full" option. 7. Confirm the reset: Review the information provided and confirm your decision to proceed with the reset. 8. Wait for the process to complete: The PC will now begin the reset process, which may take some time depending on the speed of your computer and the amount of data being erased. 9. Reinstall applications and restore data: After the reset is finished, you'll need to reinstall your applications and restore your backed-up data. Please note that this process should only be done if you're encountering severe issues that require a fresh start, as it will erase all personal settings, installed apps, and files. A less drastic alternative could be to use System Restore or seek professional assistance.

Step 1: Open Windows Settings by pressing the Windows key + I or by accessing it from the Start menu.

Step 2: Go to Update and Security > Recovery.

Step 3: Choose "Get started" from the Reset this PC option.

You can either completely wipe everything clean or start over, and reinstall Windows while preserving your existing files. A fresh copy of Windows can be downloaded from the internet, or you can reinstall it using recovery data from your computer.

Solution 2: Reset Registry Changes via Registry Editor

The following solution involves resetting registry changes using the Windows Registry. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Press the Windows key, type "regedit" in the search bar, and click on Registry Editor to launch it.

Step 2: Follow the path that you see below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Control \ Session Manager \ Configuration Manager

Step 3: Right-click on Configuration Manager and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step 4: Exit the Registry Editor after you've named the new registry variable EnablePeriodicBackup and set its value to 1.

Step 5: Restart your Windows 10 PC.

Step 6: Windows will perform its initial backup after resuming.

Solution 3: Reset Recent Registry Changes via System Restore

System Restore is one of the best built-in recovery features in Windows. Hence, whenever you make significant alterations, like installing an application or a crucial update, Windows creates a restore point. You can utilize these restore points later to undo the changes causing issues.

Any updates to software, drivers, and the operating system since that time can be undone by using a restore point. This also reverses the changes made to the registry by these operations, allowing you to revert recent modifications to specific registry sections. While not the most optimal solution, this method can still be used to reset the registry.

It will only let you reset the Windows 10 registry if you created a restore point right after you started using your new PC. Unfortunately, you might not have a restore point from just before you made changes, even for less drastic resets. While Windows does allow you to create a restore point manually, this won't be of assistance if you're already experiencing issues.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, we have presented three top solutions to reset the registry in Windows 10. Upon completing the aforementioned steps, you can reinstall the Windows 10 registry without the need for backups. While restarting your Windows computer is the most recommended approach to reset the registry, the alternative methods are also effective!

In case data is lost during the registry reset process, it's recommended to use a tool like Todo Backup. Have you experienced any issues while trying these solutions? Please share your experiences in the comments section.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Is it safe to clean the registry? Yes, it is generally safe to clean the registry, but it's crucial to exercise caution and use reputable tools. The Windows Registry stores important settings and configuration data for your operating system and installed applications. Incorrectly modifying the registry can cause stability issues or even render your system inoperable. To ensure safety: 1. **Backup**: Before making any changes, create a backup of your registry so you can restore it if something goes wrong. 2. **Use Reliable Tools**: Use well-known and reputable registry cleaning software, as they typically have built-in safety measures. 3. **Manual Editing with Caution**: If you're editing the registry manually, be extremely careful and double-check every entry. 4. **Research**: Verify the entries you plan to remove, as some may be critical to system functioning. Keep in mind that while cleaning the registry can sometimes improve performance, it's often not necessary, and regular maintenance practices like updating software, removing unnecessary programs, and defragmenting the hard drive can be more effective.

A: You must avoid attempting to clean the Windows Registry, as it is a system file that contains an abundance of essential information about your computer and its operation. The sudden deletion of a critical registry entry could potentially cause significant damage to your entire Windows operating system.

< b > 2. Does the registry slow down the computer? < /b >

A: Some registry keys are essential for your PC's proper functioning, but many are duplicates. Additionally, these keys can become invalid or corrupted over time. Consequently, such ineffective registries can hinder your computer's performance.

3. Why is cleaning the registry important?

A: The registry's size continually increases, causing your PC to run slowly. Over time, this leads to system crashes, halting all operations. Hence, it is crucial to clean the registry using high-quality registry cleaner software.

4. What causes registry issues? Registry issues can arise due to several reasons, including: 1. **Software Installation and Uninstallation**: Installing and uninstalling programs frequently can leave behind redundant or broken registry entries, causing conflicts. 2. **Malware and Viruses**: Malicious software can modify the registry keys to harm your system or gain unauthorized access. 3. **Driver Issues**: Outdated or corrupted drivers may create problematic registry entries, leading to system instability. 4. **Manual Modifications**: Editing the registry manually by users or faulty software tools can result in incorrect entries, potentially causing system errors. 5. **System Updates**: Windows updates sometimes modify the registry, and if not done properly, can lead to inconsistencies. 6. **Hardware Changes**: Adding or removing hardware components might require registry adjustments; incorrect configuration can cause issues. 7. **Fragmentation**: Over time, the registry can become fragmented, slowing down system performance. 8. **Startup Programs**: Too many programs configured to start with Windows can clutter the registry, impacting system boot time and overall performance. To prevent or fix registry issues, it's essential to keep your system updated, use reliable antivirus software, and occasionally run registry cleaners with caution, as making incorrect changes can be harmful.

A: Registry errors can occur due to improperly uninstalled applications that leave behind registry entries, leading to startup issues. Trojans, viruses, and spyware are primary causes of registry problems as they create registry entries that are difficult to remove manually.