Article Examples: Using the "reg save" Command (with examples)

Saving a Registry Key to a File

Code:

reg save HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppPaths C:\RegBackup\appPaths.reg

Motivation: Saving a specific registry key, along with its subkeys and values, to a file can be useful for backup purposes or when you need to transfer specific registry settings to another machine.

Explanation:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppPaths: This is the registry key that will be saved to the file. Replace it with the desired key you want to export.
• C:\RegBackup\appPaths.reg: This is the path and filename where the registry key will be saved. Make sure to choose a location and name that suits your needs.

Example Output: The contents of the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppPaths key, including all its subkeys and values, will be saved to the C:\RegBackup\appPaths.reg file.

Overwriting an Existing File without Prompting

Code:

reg save HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run C:\RegBackup\startup.reg /y

Motivation: When you want to save a registry key to a file, but don’t want to be prompted for confirmation when overwriting an existing file, the /y option helps to automate the process.

Explanation:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run: This is the registry key that will be saved to the file. Modify it according to the specific key you want to export.
• C:\RegBackup\startup.reg: This is the path and filename that will be used for the exported registry key. Adjust it to match your preferred file location and name.
• /y: This option instructs the reg save command to forcefully overwrite an existing file without prompting for confirmation.

Example Output: The contents of the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run key, along with its subkeys and values, will be saved to the C:\RegBackup\startup.reg file. If an existing file with the same name already exists, it will be overwritten without prompting for confirmation.

Saving a Registry Key using a RegFile Extension

Code:

reg save HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.txt C:\RegBackup\txtfile.reg

Motivation: Using the .reg file extension can make it easier to import saved registry keys in tools like Registry Editor or to share them with others.

Explanation:

• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.txt: This is the registry key that will be saved to the file. Adjust it to match the specific key you want to export.
• C:\RegBackup\txtfile.reg: This is the path and filename for the exported registry key. Customize it based on your desired file location and name, and use the .reg extension to make it compatible with registry-related tools.

Example Output: The HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.txt key, including its subkeys and values, will be saved to the C:\RegBackup\txtfile.reg file. The file can be easily imported using Registry Editor or used in conjunction with other registry-related tools.

Using a Long Registry Key Name

Code:

reg save "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" C:\RegBackup\imageOptions.reg

Motivation: Registry keys can have long names, and using quotes around the key name ensures that the command accurately recognizes the full key path.

Explanation:

• "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options": This is the registry key that will be saved. Enclosing the key name in quotes is necessary when the key name includes spaces or special characters.
• C:\RegBackup\imageOptions.reg: This is the path and filename where the exported registry key will be saved. Modify it as needed to specify your preferred file location and name.

Example Output: The contents of the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options key, its subkeys, and values, will be saved to the C:\RegBackup\imageOptions.reg file.

Exporting a Key to a Network Shared Folder

Code:

reg save HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows C:\SharedBackups\windows.reg

Motivation: Saving a registry key to a network shared folder can facilitate centralized backup or allow for easy access from multiple machines on the network.

Explanation:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows: This is the registry key that will be saved. Adjust it to the specific key you want to export.
• C:\SharedBackups\windows.reg: This is the path and filename where the exported registry key will be saved. Customize it to point to a network shared folder accessible to all intended users.

Example Output: The HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows key, along with its subkeys and values, will be saved to the C:\SharedBackups\windows.reg file located in the specified network shared folder.

Specifying a Different Drive for the Output File

Code:

reg save HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG C:\Temp\config.reg

Motivation: Sometimes, you may want to save a registry key to a different drive or partition than the default operating system drive.

Explanation:

• HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG: This is the registry key to be saved. Replace it with the desired key you wish to export.
• C:\Temp\config.reg: This is the path and filename where the exported registry key will be saved. Modify it to specify the desired location and name, including the drive letter for a different drive than the default system drive.

Example Output: The HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG key and its subkeys and values will be saved to the C:\Temp\config.reg file located on the specified drive. The exported file can be accessed or transferred to other machines as needed.

Saved Registry Key with No Subkeys

Code:

reg save HKEY_CURRENT_USER C:\RegBackup\currentUser.reg

Motivation: Saving a registry key without its subkeys can be useful when you only need to export specific settings or values from the key.

Explanation:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER: This is the registry key to be saved. Modify it based on your desired key for export.
• C:\RegBackup\currentUser.reg: This is the path and filename where the exported registry key will be saved. Adjust it as needed according to your preferred file location and name.

Example Output: The contents of the HKEY_CURRENT_USER key, including its values but excluding any subkeys, will be saved to the C:\RegBackup\currentUser.reg file. This approach allows for a focused export of specific settings or values.

Exporting a Specific Registry Value

Code:

reg save HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console\VirtualTerminalLevel C:\RegBackup\virtualTerminalLevel.reg

Motivation: Exporting a specific registry value can be helpful when you only need to retain or share a particular configuration within a key.

Explanation:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console\VirtualTerminalLevel: This is the registry value that will be saved. Adjust it based on the specific value you want to export.
• C:\RegBackup\virtualTerminalLevel.reg: This is the path and filename for the exported registry value. Customize it to your preferred file location and name.

Example Output: The value of the VirtualTerminalLevel registry value located under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console will be saved to the C:\RegBackup\virtualTerminalLevel.reg file. This focused export allows for sharing or retaining specific configuration details.