Fix the registry – Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10

This guide shows you how to fix a corrupted registry for the following Windows versions: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, or 10.

Fix a corrupt registry in Windows XP

To fix a corrupt registry on a Windows XP system, follow these instructions:

1. Insert the Windows XP setup CD and restart the computer
2. Press any key to boot from the CD
3. Press R to access Repair Console
4. Enter the Administrator password. When the Command Prompt appears, type the following commands, one at a time and press Enter after each command, replacing C: with the Windows’ drive letter:

   md tmp
   copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
   copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
   copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
   copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
   copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

   

   Backing up current registry hives

   delete c:\windows\system32\config\system
   delete c:\windows\system32\config\software
   delete c:\windows\system32\config\sam
   delete c:\windows\system32\config\security
   delete c:\windows\system32\config\default

   

   Deleting current registry hives

   copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
   copy c:\windows\repair\software c:\windows\system32\config\software
   copy c:\windows\repair\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
   copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\security
   copy c:\windows\repair\default c:\windows\system32\config\default

   

   Restoring registry hives from a repair folder

5. Type exit and remove your CD:

   exit

6. Press Enter
7. Restart your computer
8. Boot into Safe Mode by repeatedly pressing the F8 key after booting until the Startup Options menu appears
9. Choose to boot into Safe Mode
10. Start Windows Explorer (or open any folder or open My Computer)
11. Click Tools
12. Click Folder Options
13. Go to the View tab
14. At the Under hidden files and folders, select Show hidden files and folders and then click the Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) check box to be cleared (unchecked)
15. Click Yes to confirm these actions
    

    Windows XP show hidden files screen
16. Go to My Computer > C:\ drive or the drive where you installed your Windows
17. Click on the System Volume Information folder.If you receive Access denied, please follow these guidelines to get access to that folder: https://neosmart.net/wiki/how-to-gain-access-to-the-system-v….
    You’re most likely to receive Access denied if your Windows XP is on NTFS and not on FAT32.
    If it’s on FAT32, you can continue the steps below.
18. Open any folder that wasn’t created at the current time, e.g. when you logged into the computer at this session.You can check this by right clicking on the first folder and check its date.The title format of these folders is something like this:

    _restore{87BD3667­3246­476B­923F­F86E30B3E7F8}

19. Open any RP folder in that folder, e.g. RP1, and go to Snapshot.These are called Restore Points. Here is an example of path:

    C:\System Volume Information\_restore{D86480E3­73EF­47BC­A0EB­A81BE6EE3ED8}\RP1\Snapshot

20. From the Snapshot folder, copy the following files to C:\Windows\Tmp
    • _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM
    • _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM
    • _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE
    • _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY
    • _REGISTRY_USER_.DEFAULT
21. Once copied, rename these files in the Tmp folder (not the Snapshot folder) as shown below:
    • Rename _REGISTRY_USER_.DEFAULT to DEFAULT
    • Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY to SECURITY
    • Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE to SOFTWARE
    • Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM to SYSTEM
    • Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM to SAM
22. Restart your computer and boot from the CD again
23. Press R to access Recovery Console
24. Once Command Prompt has loaded, type the following commands, each at a time, press Enter after each command:

    del c:\windows\system32\config\sam
    del c:\windows\system32\config\security
    del c:\windows\system32\config\software
    del c:\windows\system32\config\default
    del c:\windows\system32\config\system

    

    Deleting current registry hives

    Continue with these commands:

    copy c:\windows\tmp\software.bak c:\windows\system32\config\software
    copy c:\windows\tmp\system.bak c:\windows\system32\config\system
    copy c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak c:\windows\system32\config\sam
    copy c:\windows\tmp\security.bak c:\windows\system32\config\security
    copy c:\windows\tmp\default.bak c:\windows\system32\config\default

    

    Restoring registry hives from the backup

25. Type exit, press Enter, remove your CD:

    exit

26. Restart your computer
27. Once restarted, go to System Restore and click on Restore to a previous point:
    • Click Start
    • Go to All Programs
    • Select Accessories
    • Then select Tools
    • Click System Restore
28. Follow the System Restore wizard steps

Fix a corrupt registry in Windows Vista

To fix a corrupt registry in Windows Vista, you can try any of the following:

• Run Startup Repair
• Perform an Upgrade Install
• Copy backup files from the RegBack folder using Command Prompt

Startup Repair

To run Startup Repair, follow these steps:

1. Insert the original Windows Vista DVD in the disc tray
2. Boot from the DVD
3. Choose a language and keyboard layout
4. At the Welcome screen, click on Repair your computer
   

   Windows Vista Repair Your Computer Menu

5. Choose your operating system from the list
6. Click Next
7. At the System Recovery Options window, click on Startup Repair
   

   Windows Vista System Recovery Options

8. Follow the instructions to complete the process

Upgrade Install

An Upgrade Install may fix a corrupt registry as it will install Windows Vista again without affecting your personal files.

While an Upgrade Install procedure shouldn’t touch your personal files, backup your files before you continue.

Before you continue with the set of instructions below, please note:

• If your Windows Vista has SP1 (Service Pack 1) installed, your original installation DVD also must have SP1.
• If your Windows Vista has SP2 (Service Pack 2) installed, your original installation DVD also must have SP2.

The instructions are:

1. Log into Windows Vista as an Administrator
2. Insert the Windows DVD in the disc tray

   Do not boot from the DVD at boot. You must insert the Windows Vista DVD while you’re logged in as an Administrator in Windows Vista.

3. If AutoPlay doesn’t open the DVD automatically, go to My Computer and double­-click on the DVD drive
4. Click Install Now
   

   Windows Vista Repair Your Computer Menu

5. Select Do no get the latest updates for installation.After you perform the Upgrade Install, you can manually update Windows Vista with the latest updates available.
6. Do not type the license key
7. Leave the Automatically activate Windows when I’m online option unchecked
8. Click Next
9. At the Do you want to enter your product key now? question, select No
10. Select what type of Windows Vista you purchased and then check the I have selected the edition of Windows that I purchased option
11. Click Next
12. Click Upgrade
13. Follow any instructions left and remove the DVD

After you performed the Upgrade Install, add the license key:

1. Boot into Windows Vista
2. Open Control Panel
3. Go to System
4. At the Windows activation section, click Change product key

Command Prompt

To replace the registry in a Windows Vista system, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt
2. Type C:\, where C: is the letter of the drive where your Windows Vista is installed:

   C:\

3. Press Enter
4. Type cd Windows\System32\Config
5. Press Enter
6. Type MD Temp and press Enter
7. Type the following commands and press Enter after each:

   copy BCD­Template Temp
   copy COMPONENTS Temp
   copy DEFAULT Temp
   copy SAM Temp
   copy SECURITY Temp
   copy SOFTWARE Temp
   copy SYSTEM Temp

   

   Backing up the registry hives

8. Type the following commands and press Enter after each:

   ren BCD­Template BCD­Template.bak
   ren COMPONENTS COMPONENTS.bak
   ren DEFAULT DEFAULT.bak
   ren SAM SAM.bak
   ren SECURITY SECURITY.bak
   ren SOFTWARE SOFTWARE.bak
   ren SYSTEM SYSTEM.bak

   

   Renaming the old the registry hives

9. Then type these commands, one by one, and press Enter after each:

   copy Regback\BCD­Template BCD­Template
   copy Regback\COMPONENTS COMPONENTS
   copy Regback\DEFAULT DEFAULT
   copy Regback\SAM SAM
   copy Regback\SECURITY SECURITY
   copy Regback\SOFTWARE SOFTWARE
   copy Regback\SYSTEM SYSTEM

   

   Restoring the registry hives

Fix a corrupt registry in Windows 7

To fix a corrupt registry in Windows 7, you can try any of the following:

• Run Startup Repair
• Perform an Upgrade Install
• Copy backup files from the RegBack folder using Command Prompt

Startup Repair

To run Startup Repair, follow these instructions.

Method #1

1. Insert the original Windows 7 installation DVD in the disc tray
2. Reboot the computer
3. Press any key when it says “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD..”
4. Select a language and keyboard option
5. Click Repair your computer
6. Select your operating system
7. Choose Startup Repair
   

   Windows 7 System Recovery Options Screen

8. Follow the wizard instructions to complete the procedure

Method #2

1. Restart your computer
2. Press the F8 key several times during booting before the Windows 7 logo appears
3. At the Advanced Options screen, select Repair your computer
   

   Advanced Boot Options on Windows 7

4. Select a keyboard and language
5. Select Startup Repair
   

   Windows 7 System Recovery Options Screen

6. Follow the wizard instructions to complete the process

Upgrade Install

An Upgrade Install may fix a corrupt registry as this option will install your Windows 7 again without affecting your personal files.

While Upgrade procedure shouldn’t touch your personal files, backup your files before you continue to make sure.

The instructions are:

1. Boot into Windows 7

   Important: You need to run the Windows 7 DVD while you’re logged in Windows 7.

2. Insert the Windows 7 DVD
3. If AutoPlay doesn’t open automatically, open the DVD directly from Computer
4. Click Install Now
5. Make sure the I want to help make Windows installation better option is unchecked
6. Click Go online to get the latest updates for installation
7. Accept the license terms
8. Click Next
9. Click Upgrade
10. Uncheck the Automatically activate Windows when I’m online option
11. Click Next
12. Click Ask me later at the Help protect your computer and improve Windows automatically screen. You can install updates for your Windows 7 once this process is done.
13. Continue with the instructions to complete the upgrade

Once this process is done, go and activate your license key:

1. Go to Control Panel
2. Go to System
3. At the Windows activation section, click Change product key

Command Prompt

To replace the registry in a Windows 7 system, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt
2. Type C:\, where C: is the letter of the drive where your Windows 7 is installed
3. Press Enter
4. Type cd Windows\System32\Config
5. Press Enter
6. Type MD Temp and press Enter
7. Type the following commands and press Enter:

   copy BCD­Template Temp
   copy COMPONENTS Temp
   copy DEFAULT Temp
   copy SAM Temp
   copy SECURITY Temp
   copy SOFTWARE Temp
   copy SYSTEM Temp

   

   Backing up the registry hives

8. Type the following commands and press Enter after each:

   ren BCD­Template BCD­Template.bak
   ren COMPONENTS COMPONENTS.bak
   ren DEFAULT DEFAULT.bak
   ren SAM SAM.bak
   ren SECURITY SECURITY.bak
   ren SOFTWARE SOFTWARE.bak
   ren SYSTEM SYSTEM.bak

   

   Renaming the old the registry hives

9. Then type these commands, one by one, and press Enter after each:

   copy C:\Windows\System32\Config\Regback\BCD­Template C:\Windows\System32\Config\BCD­Template
   copy C:\Windows\System32\Config\Regback\COMPONENTS C:\Windows\System32\Config\COMPONENTS
   copy C:\Windows\System32\Config\Regback\DEFAULT C:\Windows\System32\Config\DEFAULT
   copy C:\Windows\System32\Config\Regback\SAM C:\Windows\System32\Config\SAM
   copy C:\Windows\System32\Config\Regback\SECURITY C:\Windows\System32\Config\SECURITY
   copy C:\Windows\System32\Config\Regback\SOFTWARE C:\Windows\System32\Config\SOFTWARE
   copy C:\Windows\System32\Config\Regback\SYSTEM C:\Windows\System32\Config\SYSTEM

   

   Restoring the registry hives

Fix a corrupt registry in Windows 8 or 8.1

To repair a corrupt registry in Windows 8 or 8.1, you have these options:

• Run Automatic Repair
• Refresh. The Refresh option will not affect your files. Windows 8 will reinstall any applications you installed and create a copy of these applications on your desktop, but backup your data before you do a refresh.
• Reset. A Reset option will remove all your personal files and delete any settings or configuration you did on your computer.

Run Automatic Repair

To run Automatic Repair which will attempt to fix a corrupt registry on your Windows 8 or 8.1 system, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings panel
2. Go to General
3. At the Advanced Startup panel, click Restart now
   

   Windows 8 Advanced Startup

4. At the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot
5. At the Advanced Options screen, click Automated Repair
6. Choose an account and login, when prompted to do so
7. Automatic Repair should now start and your computer may reboot during this process

Refresh

To perform a Refresh on your Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 system, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Settings panel
2. Go to Change PC Settings
3. Click Update and recovery
4. Click Recovery
5. At the Refresh your PC without affecting your files section, click Get started
6. Follow the instructions to complete the refresh procedure

Reset

To do a Reset of your Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 system, follow these steps:

A Reset procedure will erase personal data from your computer. Backup your files before you continue.

1. Go to Settings > Change PC Settings
2. Click Update and recovery
3. Click Recovery
4. At the Remove everything and reinstall Windows section, click Get started
5. Follow the instructions to complete the refresh procedure

Fix a corrupt registry in Windows 10

To repair a corrupt registry in Windows 10, you have these options:

• Run Automatic Repair
• Refresh. The Refresh option will not affect your files. Windows 10 will reinstall any applications you installed and create a copy of these applications on your desktop, but backup your data before you do a refresh.
• Reset. A Reset option will remove all your personal files and delete any settings or configuration you did on your computer.

Run Automatic Repair

To run Automatic Repair which will attempt to fix a corrupt registry on your Windows 10 system, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings panel
2. Go to Update & Security
3. At the Recovery tab, click Advanced Startup -> Restart now
   
   

   Windows 10 Advanced Startup

4. At the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot
5. At the Advanced Options screen, click Automated Repair
6. Choose an account and login, when prompted to do so
7. Automatic Repair should now start and your computer may reboot during this process’

Refresh

To perform a Refresh on your Windows 10 system, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Settings panel
2. Go to Update and Security
3. Click Recovery
4. Click Get Started
5. At the Reset This PC section, click Get started
6. Click Keep My Files
7. Follow the instructions to complete the refresh procedure

Reset

To do a Reset of your Windows 10 system, follow these steps:

A Reset procedure will erase personal data from your computer. Backup your files before you continue.

1. Go to the Settings panel
2. Go to Update and Security
3. Click Recovery
4. Click Get Started
5. At the Reset This PC section, click Get started
6. Click Remove Everything
7. Follow the instructions to complete the refresh procedure

Troubleshooting

Registry permissions in Windows XP

In Windows XP (only the Professional version), the permissions of the registry can block you from editing certain keys.

Method #1

To unblock this and fix the permissions, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt
2. Type this command:

   secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\repair\secsetup.inf /db secsetup.sdb /verbose

3. Press Enter

Method #2

If Method #1 doesn’t work to fix the permissions, try these steps instead:

1. Download SubInACL Tool from Microsoft directly: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=2351…
2. Run the .exe file
3. Open Command Prompt
4. Type this command and press Enter:

   cd "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Resource Kits\Tools

5. Enter the following commands and press Enter after each:

   subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
   subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CURRENT_USER /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f 
   subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
   subinacl /subdirectories %SystemDrive%\ /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f

6. Restart the computer

More Information

Support Links

• Easy Recovery Essentials for Windows – our repair and recovery disk.
  
  It’s an easy-to-use and automated diagnostics disk. It’s available for Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista. It’s also available for Windows XP and Windows Server.

  Read more at Windows Recovery Disks.

• The NeoSmart Support Forums, member-to-member technical support and troubleshooting.
• Get a discounted price on replacement setup and installation discs: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10.

Applicable Systems

This Windows-related knowledgebase article applies to the following operating systems:

• Windows XP (all editions)
• Windows Vista (all editions)
• Windows 7 (all editions)
• Windows 8 (all editions)
• Windows 8.1 (all editions)
• Windows 10 (all editions)

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