Solved backup registry in command line

[bob363]

Hello
I am trying to back up a registry key, I am using the command >reg export hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows c:\windows\regbackup
and I keep getting the error message Unable to write to the file. There may be a disk or file system error. Not sure what I am doing wrong, any help would be appreciated

 

[Night Hawk]

You may be entering the command wrong?! A simple type error in the command will cause an immediate problem. One guide with a chart for all the commands available can be looked over at Managing the Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 Registry from the Command Prompt with Reg.exe

If you still don't get anywhere using the command prompt method then refer to the SF guide for simply backing up the registry noting Method Two for seeing a backup exported. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/4230-registry-backup-restore.html

 

[Ztruker]

The problem may be that you are trying to create the file in the Windows directory. Try a different location, like

reg export hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows %userprofile%\regbackup

worked for me.

BTW: It's also a good idea to enclose both parameters in double quotes like this:

reg export "hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows" "%userprofile%\regbackup"

 

[bob363]

thanks for responding i know the command is correct because I am not getting a syntax error, I have tried creating different folders in different locations and I get the same error every time

 

[alan10]

thanks for responding i know the command is correct because I am not getting a syntax error, I have tried creating different folders in different locations and I get the same error every time

Your knowledge may be incorrect - otherwise the command would work.

Perhaps your problem is that you do not have adequate authority.
If you are not allowed to create "different folders in different locations" then you are unlikely to create files.

 

[Night Hawk]

Are you logged in as adminstrator or need to elevate permissions at all? You still have the other option available by following the guide there if you continue to run into problems as far as seeing a backup made.

 

[Ztruker]

Did you try what I suggested?

 

[bob363]

yes I posted above that I tried creating a folder in a different location and also tried using quotes but am still getting error, thanks for your help I appreciate it, I also tried running as administrator but that did not work either

 

[Night Hawk]

Have you tried following the guide at all just for having a backup? If you still have problems using a gui approach you could be looking at some other problem since this could registry related.

 

[Ztruker]

What happens if you try to create the file in the current directory?

reg export "hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows" "regbackup"

Can you create a file from the Command Prompt at all? Try this:

echo "This is a test" > test.txt

 

[LifedOut]

I think you made the file name in the location you are saving to the same name as the reg backup.

For example, you may have created a file in C:\Windows called "regbackup" and then used the command:

reg export hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows c:\windows\regbackup

This is what I did at first when I was researching how to create the reg backup.

I deleted the file and ran the cmd again and reg.edit made the backup as a file in C:\Windows

It also came up as an unknown file type at first.

When trying to open use the option "Search through windows" to open the file and then open with notepad.

And there you have it, your file is created.

 

[alan10]

Might I suggest that if a topic becomes irrelevant within a few days,
it should at some time become automatically locked to prevent accidental resuscitation a few years later

 

[Ztruker]

The forum code should give you a warning if you are replying to a thread that is more than 30 or 60 days old. That would cut down on resurrecting old, dead threads, at least somewhat.

 

[LifedOut]

I felt the need to reply, simply because when I have problems that I can't solve, I search google.com for answers. I did not see the answer I believed to be the solution - so I thought, well if someone else runs into this, they'll probably find this forum and use it to troubleshoot. And if it turns out that was what the user was doing, then I'm sure anyone else who didn't have clarification would be grateful to find the post.

I do apologize for responding to an old thread. I meant no harm.

Furthermore, when posting I was issued a warning about the thread being old, but nowhere did the warning state that this was against forum rules. And so I continued to submit the post because of the reason stated above.

 

[Ztruker]

Good to know there was a warning

I agree with you though that sometimes adding to an old thread could be helpful to someone later on who is experiencing a similar problem.