Windows xp registry how to

Only advanced users can edit and clean registry database using Registry Editor. Before starting windows XP registry repair , make sure you do the following two steps Create Windows System Restore point — it enables you to reverse back to earlier configuration incase the computer fails to work by the change you made on the registry database. Additional information and guide can be found at support. Go to File menu and choose Export to save your computer registry database file.

It still beats not being able to get into Windows and can be helpful in backing up valuable data. You will most likely have to reinstall Windows to get things working properly again. This process requires you to enter your BIOS again and change the boot sequence to boot from your hard drive again.

If you reach the Safe Mode login screen, proceed with this step. If you encounter errors at this point, your problem may not be restricted to the registry. It is possible that other important system files have been affected or hardware may be at fault.

You may get a message box requesting you to choose between entering Safe Mode or to use System Restore to restore to a previous state — you want to enter Safe Mode. This contains the System Restore Points, which in turn contain backups of the registry hive. These are Restore Points. Go for the second oldest one — write down the date and then open it.

You need to select and copy do not cut! Click on each one individually and then press F2 to rename them. Now you need to delete the currently used registry hive files by typing these lines one by one: del system del software del sam del security del default 3.

Now you need to copy the Restore Point files so that Windows can load from them. Boot into Windows normally. It should work properly. Doing this would be piracy to Microsoft because you did not activate Windows. Modifying the registry will probably work and will, on the other hand, probably screw your computer.

If you know what are you doing then editing registry will only solve many problems. Yes a registry backup and a restore point would help but that's only if you still can access Windows or the Safe Mode and things didn't go horribly wrong.

The string "DigitalProductId" should contain an encoded version of the Product Key currently used by the Windows installation. Now, you said you used that key but it is still reported as not genuine.

Firstly make sure that the License Key on the sticker is for the exact Windows version installed on the PC.

If you have a genuine Windows key then the obvious and logical choice would be for phone activation. Why bother? Thats why you trial on error. Thats what I did, I modded many dlls to replace icons and edit dialogs and it works better than original thanks to tweaks. Share Share Tweet Email. Related Topics Answers. Now, your system will revert your registry, operating system files, and system configuration to the time when the snapshot you chose to restore was taken. Fix corrupt registry entries due to system or software crash.

Remove malicious registry entries added by malware. Undo changes done during manual registry edit. Restore registry after a failed registry scan and repair process. How to Restore Your Windows XP Registry The method you choose to restore your registry primarily depends on the way you backup your registry.

Registry Editor You can make full or selective backups of your registry using the Registry Editor. You need to perform the following steps to back up the registry: Open the Start menu, select Run , type Regedit , and then select the OK button.

In the Registry Editor window, select File and then select Export.