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Original post : Fix the registry - Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10.
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This guide shows you <strong>how to fix a corrupted registry</strong> for the following Windows versions: <strong>Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, </strong>or<strong> 10.</strong> <h2>Fix a corrupt registry in Windows XP</h2> To fix a corrupt registry on a Windows XP system, follow these instructions: <ol> <li>Insert the Windows XP setup CD and restart the computer</li> <li>Press any key to boot from the CD</li> <li>Press <kbd>R</kbd> to access Repair Console</li> <li>Enter the Administrator password. When the Command Prompt appears, type the following commands, one at a time and press <kbd>Enter</kbd> after each command, replacing <code>C:</code> with the Windows' drive letter: <pre>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</pre> [caption id="attachment_4258" align="alignnone" width="720"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/reg_backupfiles.png"><img class="wp-image-4258 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/reg_backupfiles.png" alt="Backing up current registry hives" width="720" height="396" /></a> Backing up current registry hives[/caption] <pre>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</pre> [caption id="attachment_4259" align="alignnone" width="720"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/reg_delfiles.png"><img class="wp-image-4259 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/reg_delfiles.png" alt="Deleting current registry hives" width="720" height="396" /></a> Deleting current registry hives[/caption] <pre>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</pre> [caption id="attachment_5021" align="alignnone" width="720"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/reg_restorefiles.png"><img class="size-full wp-image-5021" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/reg_restorefiles.png" alt="Restoring registry hives from a repair folder" width="720" height="396" /></a> Restoring registry hives from a repair folder[/caption]</li> <li>Type <code>exit</code> and remove your CD: <pre>exit</pre> </li> <li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li> <li>Restart your computer</li> <li>Boot into <strong>Safe Mode</strong> by repeatedly pressing the <kbd>F8</kbd> key after booting until the Startup Options menu appears</li> <li>Choose to boot into <strong>Safe Mode</strong></li> <li>Start Windows Explorer (or open any folder or open My Computer)</li> <li>Click <strong>Tools</strong></li> <li>Click <strong>Folder Options</strong></li> <li>Go to the <em>View</em> tab</li> <li>At the <em>Under hidden files and folders</em>, select <strong>Show hidden files and folders</strong> and then click the <strong>Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)</strong> check box to be cleared (unchecked)</li> <li>Click <strong>Yes</strong> to confirm these actions [caption id="attachment_5026" align="alignnone" width="980"]<img class="wp-image-5026 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/WinXP_showfiles-1024x768.png" alt="Windows XP show hidden files screen" width="980" height="735" /> Windows XP show hidden files screen[/caption] <div class="mceTemp"></div></li> <li>Go to <strong>My Computer</strong> > <code>C:\</code> drive or the drive where you installed your Windows</li> <li>Click on the <strong>System Volume Information</strong> folder.If you receive <strong>Access denied</strong>, please follow these guidelines to get access to that folder: <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/how-to-gain-access-to-the-system-volume-information-folder/">https://neosmart.net/wiki/how-to-gain-access-to-the-system-volume-information-folder/</a>. You're most likely to receive <em>Access denied</em> if your Windows XP is on NTFS and not on FAT32. If it's on FAT32, you can continue the steps below.</li> <li>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: <pre>_restore{87BD36673246476B923FF86E30B3E7F8}</pre> </li> <li> <pre>Open any <strong>RP</strong> folder in that folder, e.g. RP1, and go to <strong>Snapshot</strong>.These are called Restore Points. Here is an example of path:</pre> <pre>C:\System Volume Information\_restore{D86480E373EF47BCA0EBA81BE6EE3ED8}\RP1\Snapshot</pre> </li> <li>From the <strong>Snapshot</strong> folder, copy the following files to <code>C:\Windows\Tmp</code> <ul> <li>_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM</li> <li>_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM</li> <li>_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE</li> <li>_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY</li> <li>_REGISTRY_USER_.DEFAULT</li> </ul> </li> <li>Once copied, rename these files in the <code>Tmp</code> folder (not the Snapshot folder) as shown below: <ul> <li>Rename _REGISTRY_USER_.DEFAULT to DEFAULT</li> <li>Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY to SECURITY</li> <li>Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE to SOFTWARE</li> <li>Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM to SYSTEM</li> <li>Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM to SAM</li> </ul> </li> <li>Restart your computer and boot from the CD again</li> <li>Press <kbd>R</kbd> to access <strong>Recovery Console</strong></li> <li>Once Command Prompt has loaded, type the following commands, each at a time, press <kbd>Enter</kbd> after each command: <pre>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</pre> [caption id="attachment_5027" align="alignnone" width="720"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/reg_deletehives.png"><img class="wp-image-5027 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/reg_deletehives.png" alt="Deleting current registry hives" width="720" height="396" /></a> Deleting current registry hives[/caption] Continue with these commands: <pre>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</pre> [caption id="attachment_5028" align="alignnone" width="720"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/reg_restorehives.png"><img class="wp-image-5028 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/reg_restorehives.png" alt="Restoring registry hives from the backup" width="720" height="396" /></a> Restoring registry hives from the backup[/caption]</li> <li>Type <code>exit</code>, press <kbd>Enter</kbd>, remove your CD: <pre>exit</pre> </li> <li>Restart your computer</li> <li>Once restarted, go to <strong>System Restore</strong> and click on <strong>Restore to a previous point:</strong> <ul> <li>Click <strong>Start</strong></li> <li>Go to All Programs</li> <li>Select Accessories</li> <li>Then select <strong>Tools</strong></li> <li>Click <strong>System Restore</strong></li> </ul> </li> <li>Follow the System Restore wizard steps</li> </ol> <h2>Fix a corrupt registry in Windows Vista</h2> To fix a corrupt registry in Windows Vista, you can try any of the following: <ul> <li><a href="#Startup_Repair">Run Startup Repair</a></li> <li><a href="#Upgrade_Install">Perform an Upgrade Install</a></li> <li><a href="#Command_Prompt">Copy backup files from the RegBack folder using Command Prompt</a></li> </ul> <h3>Startup Repair</h3> To run Startup Repair, follow these steps: <ol> <li>Insert the original Windows Vista DVD in the disc tray</li> <li>Boot from the DVD</li> <li>Choose a language and keyboard layout</li> <li>At the <em>Welcome</em> screen, click on <strong>Repair your computer</strong> [caption id="attachment_2109" align="alignnone" width="393"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2109" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/06/windows-vista-repair-your-computer.png" alt="Windows Vista Repair Your Computer Menu" width="393" height="277" /> Windows Vista Repair Your Computer Menu[/caption]</li> <li>Choose your operating system from the list</li> <li>Click <strong>Next</strong></li> <li>At the <em>System Recovery Options</em> window, click on <strong>Startup Repair</strong> [caption id="attachment_2110" align="alignnone" width="340"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2110" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/06/windows-vista-system-recovery-options.jpg" alt="Windows Vista System Recovery Options" width="340" height="255" /> Windows Vista System Recovery Options[/caption]</li> <li>Follow the instructions to complete the process</li> </ol> <h3>Upgrade Install</h3> An Upgrade Install may fix a corrupt registry as it will install Windows Vista again without affecting your personal files. <p class="warning">While an Upgrade Install procedure shouldn't touch your personal files, <strong>backup your files before you continue.</strong></p> Before you continue with the set of instructions below, please note: <ul> <li>If your Windows Vista has SP1 (Service Pack 1) installed, your original installation DVD also must have SP1.</li> <li>If your Windows Vista has SP2 (Service Pack 2) installed, your original installation DVD also must have SP2.</li> </ul> The instructions are: <ol> <li>Log into Windows Vista as an Administrator</li> <li>Insert the Windows DVD in the disc tray <p class="warning"><strong>Do not boot from the DVD at boot.</strong> You must insert the Windows Vista DVD while you're logged in as an Administrator in Windows Vista.</p> </li> <li>If AutoPlay doesn't open the DVD automatically, go to My Computer and double-click on the DVD drive</li> <li>Click <strong>Install Now</strong> [caption id="attachment_2109" align="alignnone" width="393"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2109" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/06/windows-vista-repair-your-computer.png" alt="Windows Vista Repair Your Computer Menu" width="393" height="277" /> Windows Vista Repair Your Computer Menu[/caption]</li> <li>Select <strong>Do no get the latest updates for installation</strong>.After you perform the Upgrade Install, you can manually update Windows Vista with the latest updates available.</li> <li>Do not type the license key</li> <li>Leave the <strong>Automatically activate Windows when I'm online</strong> option unchecked</li> <li>Click <strong>Next</strong></li> <li>At the <em>Do you want to enter your product key now?</em> question, select <strong>No</strong></li> <li>Select what type of Windows Vista you purchased and then check the <strong>I have selected the edition of Windows that I purchased</strong> option</li> <li>Click <strong>Next</strong></li> <li>Click <strong>Upgrade</strong></li> <li>Follow any instructions left and remove the DVD</li> </ol> After you performed the Upgrade Install, add the license key: <ol> <li>Boot into Windows Vista</li> <li>Open <strong>Control Panel</strong></li> <li>Go to <strong>System</strong></li> <li>At the <em>Windows activation</em> section, click <strong>Change product key</strong></li> </ol> <h3>Command Prompt</h3> To replace the registry in a Windows Vista system, follow these steps: <ol> <li>Open <strong>Command Prompt</strong></li> <li>Type <code>C:\</code>, where <code>C:</code> is the letter of the drive where your Windows Vista is installed: <pre>C:\</pre> </li> <li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li> <li>Type <code>cd Windows\System32\Config</code></li> <li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li> <li>Type <code>MD Temp</code> and press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li> <li>Type the following commands and press <kbd>Enter</kbd> after each: <pre>copy BCDTemplate Temp copy COMPONENTS Temp copy DEFAULT Temp copy SAM Temp copy SECURITY Temp copy SOFTWARE Temp copy SYSTEM Temp</pre> [caption id="attachment_5029" align="alignnone" width="668"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/vista_backupregistry.png"><img class="wp-image-5029 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/vista_backupregistry.png" alt="Backing up the registry hives" width="668" height="427" /></a> Backing up the registry hives[/caption]</li> <li>Type the following commands and press <kbd>Enter</kbd> after each: <pre>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</pre> [caption id="attachment_5030" align="alignnone" width="668"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/vista_renamehives.png"><img class="wp-image-5030 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/vista_renamehives.png" alt="Renaming the old the registry hives" width="668" height="319" /></a> Renaming the old the registry hives[/caption]</li> <li>Then type these commands, one by one, and press <kbd>Enter</kbd> after each: <pre>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</pre> [caption id="attachment_5031" align="alignnone" width="668"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/vista_restoreregistry.png"><img class="wp-image-5031 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/vista_restoreregistry.png" alt="Restoring the registry hives" width="668" height="403" /></a> Restoring the registry hives[/caption]</li> </ol> <h2>Fix a corrupt registry in Windows 7</h2> To fix a corrupt registry in Windows 7, you can try any of the following: <ul> <li><a href="#Startup_Repair-2">Run Startup Repair</a></li> <li><a href="#Upgrade_Install-2">Perform an Upgrade Install</a></li> <li><a href="#Command_Prompt-2">Copy backup files from the RegBack folder using Command Prompt</a></li> </ul> <h3>Startup Repair</h3> To run Startup Repair, follow these instructions. <strong>Method #1</strong> <ol> <li>Insert the original Windows 7 installation DVD in the disc tray</li> <li>Reboot the computer</li> <li>Press any key when it says "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD.."</li> <li>Select a language and keyboard option</li> <li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1505" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/10/Install-Now-Windows-7.jpg" alt="Windows 7 setup Install Now dialog, with repair your computer link" width="800" height="600" /></li> <li>Select your operating system<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1454" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/10/Select-Windows-OS-to-repair.png" alt="Startup repair lists available operating systems to repair." width="389" height="295" /></li> <li>Choose <strong>Startup Repair</strong> [caption id="attachment_1972" align="alignnone" width="485"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1972" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/windows-7-system-recovery-options-screen.jpg" alt="Windows 7 System Recovery Options Screen" width="485" height="362" /> Windows 7 System Recovery Options Screen[/caption]</li> <li>Follow the wizard instructions to complete the procedure</li> </ol> <strong>Method #2</strong> <ol> <li>Restart your computer</li> <li>Press the <kbd>F8</kbd> key several times during booting before the Windows 7 logo appears</li> <li>At the <em>Advanced Options</em> screen, select <strong>Repair your computer</strong> [caption id="attachment_1399" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1399" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/09/Windows-7-Advanced-Boot-Options.png" alt="Advanced Boot Options on Windows 7" width="1024" height="768" /> Advanced Boot Options on Windows 7[/caption]</li> <li>Select a keyboard and language</li> <li>Select <strong>Startup Repair</strong> [caption id="attachment_1972" align="alignnone" width="485"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1972" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/windows-7-system-recovery-options-screen.jpg" alt="Windows 7 System Recovery Options Screen" width="485" height="362" /> Windows 7 System Recovery Options Screen[/caption]</li> <li>Follow the wizard instructions to complete the process</li> </ol> <h3>Upgrade Install</h3> An Upgrade Install may fix a corrupt registry as this option will install your Windows 7 again without affecting your personal files. <p class="warning">While Upgrade procedure shouldn't touch your personal files, <strong>backup your files before you continue to make sure.</strong></p> The instructions are: <ol> <li>Boot into Windows 7 <p class="warning">Important: You need to run the Windows 7 DVD while you're logged in Windows 7.</p> </li> <li>Insert the Windows 7 DVD</li> <li>If AutoPlay doesn't open automatically, open the DVD directly from Computer</li> <li>Click <strong>Install Now</strong></li> <li>Make sure the <em>I want to help make Windows installation better</em> option is <strong>unchecked</strong></li> <li>Click <strong>Go online to get the latest updates for installation</strong></li> <li>Accept the license terms</li> <li>Click <strong>Next</strong></li> <li>Click <strong>Upgrade</strong></li> <li>Uncheck the <strong>Automatically activate Windows when I'm online</strong> option</li> <li>Click <strong>Next</strong></li> <li>Click <strong>Ask me later</strong> at the <em>Help protect your computer and improve Windows automatically</em> screen. You can install updates for your Windows 7 once this process is done.</li> <li>Continue with the instructions to complete the upgrade</li> </ol> Once this process is done, go and activate your license key: <ol> <li>Go to <strong>Control Panel</strong></li> <li>Go to <strong>System</strong></li> <li>At the <em>Windows activation</em> section, click <strong>Change product key</strong></li> </ol> <h3>Command Prompt</h3> To replace the registry in a Windows 7 system, follow these steps: <ol> <li>Open Command Prompt</li> <li>Type <code>C:\</code>, where <code>C:</code> is the letter of the drive where your Windows 7 is installed</li> <li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li> <li>Type <code>cd Windows\System32\Config</code></li> <li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li> <li>Type <code>MD Temp</code> and press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li> <li>Type the following commands and press <kbd>Enter</kbd>: <pre>copy BCDTemplate Temp copy COMPONENTS Temp copy DEFAULT Temp copy SAM Temp copy SECURITY Temp copy SOFTWARE Temp copy SYSTEM Temp</pre> [caption id="attachment_5029" align="alignnone" width="668"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/vista_backupregistry.png"><img class="wp-image-5029 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/vista_backupregistry.png" alt="Backing up the registry hives" width="668" height="427" /></a> Backing up the registry hives[/caption]</li> <li>Type the following commands and press <kbd>Enter</kbd> after each: <pre>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</pre> [caption id="attachment_5030" align="alignnone" width="668"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/vista_renamehives.png"><img class="wp-image-5030 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/vista_renamehives.png" alt="Renaming the old the registry hives" width="668" height="319" /></a> Renaming the old the registry hives[/caption]</li> <li>Then type these commands, one by one, and press <kbd>Enter</kbd> after each: <pre>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</pre> [caption id="attachment_5031" align="alignnone" width="668"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/vista_restoreregistry.png"><img class="wp-image-5031 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/vista_restoreregistry.png" alt="Restoring the registry hives" width="668" height="403" /></a> Restoring the registry hives[/caption]</li> </ol> <h2>Fix a corrupt registry in Windows 8 or 8.1</h2> To repair a corrupt registry in Windows 8 or 8.1, you have these options: <ul> <li><a href="#Run_Automatic_Repair">Run Automatic Repair</a></li> <li><a href="#Refresh">Refresh.</a> 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.</li> <li><a href="#Reset">Reset.</a> A Reset option will remove all your personal files and delete any settings or configuration you did on your computer.</li> </ul> <h3>Run Automatic Repair</h3> To run Automatic Repair which will attempt to fix a corrupt registry on your Windows 8 or 8.1 system, follow these steps: <ol> <li>Open the <strong>Settings</strong> panel</li> <li>Go to General</li> <li>At the <em>Advanced Startup</em> panel, click <strong>Restart now</strong> [caption id="attachment_2763" align="alignnone" width="278"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2763" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/windows-8-advanced-startup.png" alt="Windows 8 Advanced Startup" width="278" height="72" /> Windows 8 Advanced Startup[/caption]</li> <li>At the <em>Choose an option</em> screen, click <strong>Troubleshoot</strong></li> <li>At the <em>Advanced Options</em> screen, click <strong>Automated Repair</strong></li> <li>Choose an account and login, when prompted to do so</li> <li>Automatic Repair should now start and your computer may reboot during this process</li> </ol> [caption id="attachment_5032" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/W8_advancedsettings.png"><img class="wp-image-5032 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/W8_advancedsettings-1024x768.png" alt="Windows 8 Advanced Startup screen" width="980" height="735" /></a> Windows 8 Advanced Startup screen[/caption] <h3>Refresh</h3> To perform a Refresh on your Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 system, follow these steps: <ol> <li>Go to the <strong>Settings</strong> panel</li> <li>Go to <strong>Change PC Settings</strong></li> <li>Click <strong>Update and recovery</strong></li> <li>Click <strong>Recovery</strong></li> <li>At the <em>Refresh your PC without affecting your files</em> section, click <strong>Get started</strong></li> <li>Follow the instructions to complete the refresh procedure</li> </ol> [caption id="attachment_5033" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/W8_refreshreset.png"><img class="size-large wp-image-5033" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/W8_refreshreset-1024x768.png" alt="Windows 8 Recovery Screen" width="980" height="735" /></a> Windows 8 Recovery Screen[/caption] <h3>Reset</h3> To do a Reset of your Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 system, follow these steps: <p class="warning">A Reset procedure will erase personal data from your computer. Backup your files before you continue.</p> <ol> <li>Go to Settings > Change PC Settings</li> <li>Click Update and recovery</li> <li>Click <strong>Recovery</strong></li> <li>At the <em>Remove everything and reinstall Windows</em> section, click <strong>Get started</strong></li> <li>Follow the instructions to complete the refresh procedure</li> </ol> [caption id="attachment_5033" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/W8_refreshreset.png"><img class="wp-image-5033 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/W8_refreshreset-1024x768.png" alt="Windows 8 Recovery Screen" width="980" height="735" /></a> Windows 8 Recovery Screen[/caption] <h2>Fix a corrupt registry in Windows 10</h2> To repair a corrupt registry in Windows 10, you have these options: <ul> <li><a href="#Run_Automatic_Repair-2">Run Automatic Repair</a></li> <li><a href="#Refresh-2">Refresh.</a> 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.</li> <li><a href="#Reset-2">Reset.</a> A Reset option will remove all your personal files and delete any settings or configuration you did on your computer.</li> </ul> <h3>Run Automatic Repair</h3> To run Automatic Repair which will attempt to fix a corrupt registry on your Windows 10 system, follow these steps: <ol> <li>Open the <strong>Settings</strong> panel</li> <li>Go to Update & Security</li> <li>At the <em>Recovery</em> tab, click <strong>Advanced Startup</strong> -> <strong>Restart now </strong> [caption id="attachment_5057" align="alignnone" width="438"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/W10_Advanced_Startup.png"><img class="size-full wp-image-5057" src="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/W10_Advanced_Startup.png" alt="Windows 10 Advanced Startup" width="438" height="174" /></a> Windows 10 Advanced Startup[/caption]</li> <li>At the <em>Choose an option</em> screen, click <strong>Troubleshoot</strong></li> <li>At the <em>Advanced Options</em> screen, click <strong>Automated Repair</strong></li> <li>Choose an account and login, when prompted to do so</li> <li>Automatic Repair should now start and your computer may reboot during this process'</li> </ol> [caption id="attachment_5032" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/W8_advancedsettings.png"><img class="wp-image-5032 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/W8_advancedsettings-1024x768.png" alt="Windows 10 Advanced Startup screen" width="980" height="735" /></a> Windows 10 Advanced Startup screen[/caption] <h3>Refresh</h3> To perform a Refresh on your Windows 10 system, follow these steps: <ol> <li>Go to the <strong>Settings</strong> panel</li> <li>Go to <strong>Update and Security</strong></li> <li>Click <strong>Recovery</strong></li> <li>Click <strong>Get Started</strong></li> <li>At the <em>Reset This PC</em> section, click <strong>Get started</strong></li> <li>Click <strong>Keep My Files</strong></li> <li>Follow the instructions to complete the refresh procedure</li> </ol> [caption id="attachment_5034" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/W10_recovery_screen.png"><img class="wp-image-5034 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/W10_recovery_screen-1024x768.png" alt="Windows 10 Recovery screen" width="980" height="735" /></a> Windows 10 Recovery screen[/caption] <h3>Reset</h3> To do a Reset of your Windows 10 system, follow these steps: <p class="warning">A Reset procedure will erase personal data from your computer. Backup your files before you continue.</p> <ol> <li>Go to the <strong>Settings</strong> panel</li> <li>Go to <strong>Update and Security</strong></li> <li>Click <strong>Recovery</strong></li> <li>Click <strong>Get Started</strong></li> <li>At the <em>Reset This PC</em> section, click <strong>Get started</strong></li> <li>Click <strong>Remove Everything</strong></li> <li>Follow the instructions to complete the refresh procedure</li> </ol> [caption id="attachment_5034" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/W10_recovery_screen.png"><img class="wp-image-5034 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/W10_recovery_screen-1024x768.png" alt="Windows 10 Recovery screen" width="980" height="735" /></a> Windows 10 Recovery screen[/caption] <h2>Troubleshooting</h2> <h3>Registry permissions in Windows XP</h3> In Windows XP (only the Professional version), the permissions of the registry can block you from editing certain keys. <strong>Method #1</strong> To unblock this and fix the permissions, follow these steps: <ol> <li>Open Command Prompt</li> <li>Type this command: <pre>secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\repair\secsetup.inf /db secsetup.sdb /verbose</pre> </li> <li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li> </ol> [caption id="attachment_5035" align="alignnone" width="800"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/Secedit-restore.png"><img class="wp-image-5035 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/Secedit-restore.png" alt="Fixing permissions with secedit" width="800" height="600" /></a> Fixing permissions with secedit[/caption] <strong>Method #2</strong> If Method #1 doesn't work to fix the permissions, try these steps instead: <ol> <li>Download SubInACL Tool from Microsoft directly: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190910062448/http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/7/d/17d82b72-bc6a-4dc8-bfaa-98b37b22b367/subinacl.msi">http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=23510</a></li> <li>Run the <code>.exe</code> file</li> <li>Open Command Prompt</li> <li>Type this command and press <kbd>Enter</kbd>: <pre>cd "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Resource Kits\Tools</pre> </li> <li>Enter the following commands and press <kbd>Enter</kbd> after each: <pre>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</pre> </li> <li>Restart the computer</li> </ol> [caption id="attachment_5036" align="alignnone" width="800"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/SubinACL-restore.png"><img class="wp-image-5036 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/11/SubinACL-restore.png" alt="Fixing permissions with SubInAcl" width="800" height="600" /></a> Fixing permissions with SubInAcl[/caption] <h2>More Information</h2> [partial name="partial_moreinfo" versions="xp,vista,7,8,10"]