Windows is broken. Tweaked registry, now I can't restore

I was trying to move the rest of my c\program files and c\program files x86 to another hard drive, as I tweaked the registry after I've installed a few things there.
I initally booted into a boot disk to change the name of c\program files/x86, booted into windows, realized a few things were broken, so I changed it back.

Then, folders were opening in new windows, contrary to the option in folder options
Did a few searches and someone suggested deleting the hkey_users\S-1-5-21-xxxxx-100\software\microsoft\windows\current version\explorer key

I did so, after I backed up that registry entry. I rebooted, windows was broken.

Now I'm unable to restore that registry file. I get the error:
Cannot import "file namelocation ect": Error accessing the registry
My OS works, just a bunch of things are broken. I really don't want to do a reinstall. Please help. I've tried changing permissions on the registry to no avail.

I'll try that. I have to run the setup exe when I am already in windows? Sounds fun. There goes my evening.

For future reference, it is possible to restore registry settings from a .reg settings through the System Recovery Options by selecting the command prompt and typing

regedit.exe /s [pathToRegFile]

for instance:

regedit.exe /s C:\Users\Mike\Documents\test.reg

Most likely, this method will work where your previous method did not. Trying to restore the registry while running Windows is difficult because Windows is using the registry and preventing access to the files that need to be replaced. Restoring the registry through the recovery environment will often work because those files are not in use. Hopefully this helps in the future if you have the same problem.

A second option is to use

• Advanced Boot Options to select Repair Your Computer,
  
  
• use the System Recovery Options to select the System Restore option,
  
  
• and then use OPTION TWO of System Restore to restore to a time before the registry was magnafoozled.

Let us know how the repair install goes.