IMPORTANT! There are some problems with REG files under different Windows versions. In Windows 95 and NT4, if you have exported a string value that contains CR or FL characters using Registry Editor, merging the same file back to the registry causes value that contains those symbols to become missing. Looks like a bug. Similar thing happens also under Windows 2000 (RC2). In Windows 98 on other hand, CR and LF characters are replaced by /n and /r symbols when saved, and replaced back accordingly when merged. So Windows 98 is smarter than others in this field. Registry Key Backup also makes use of the /n and /r symbols, so all should work OK under Windows 98. Please note that if you have made your REG file under different Windows version, merging it back under another Windows may cause behavior described first. So, from this story you see that there is a problem restoring registry values that contain CR or LF characters under other then Windows 98 OS. Fortunately there are only few keys that contain CR & LF.
Contents
========
- Description
- Installation
- Instructions
- Command line interface
- Hints
- History
- Known issues
- More about registry
- License agreement & warranty
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Description
===========
This is little utility to help you to back up your registry keys. This is not just another "repair tool" that copies your registry files to a floppy disk ;-). Also, it not a program that allows you to back up your entire registry. It allows you to select a key or more and save it to a *.reg file, so you can restore it later by double-clicking on this file. You can also specify if subkeys will be stored or not.
For example you may need to store your Outlook Express settings, then you need to go to the registry key SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Outlook Express with Windows Registry Editor and export this branch into a disk file (*.reg). Since settings are below both HKEY_CURRENT_USER and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE keys, you need to scroll worth and back and this is not very funny to do (every day:) But with this program you can make a list of items that should be saved with a click of mouse. You can save multiple keys into one REG file if you wish - something useful you can't do that with the Registry Editor. Just run the program to see what is it all about.
Please note this program is for power users who know what the registry and registry key is.
Also please note that all subkeys under the selected key will be processes as well.
And finally, you should use this program on your own risk only - we give no any guarantee that exported files will import back properly on same or different operating system. So you need to test yourself and see if this utility is useful for you.
(There may be) more info available from our web site: http://www.moonsoftware.com
Installation
============
Just copy all files from ZIP arcive to a folder of your choice. If you want to uninstall the program later, just delete the files. You can then also manually delete registry key "HKCU/Software/Moon Software/Registry Bey Backup" used by the program to store its options.
Instructions
============
Actually the program is very simple to use and it is meant for power-users who don't need (and hate such step-by-step tutorial). But there are some people who always complain if there is no documentation, even if there is nothing to write about (yes they are you, software site owners, who don't list this software if I don't write how it works...). So here it goes:
If you run the program you will be presented with a list of "items". An item consists of title, registry key(s) to save and the *.reg file the key(s) will be saved to. So you must create one or more items that can be saved.
Let's make an example item to save Outlook Express mailer settings (that only works if you have it installed). To make a new item, use the Item -> Add menu command. Then you will see item editor window. Into the Caption space write Outlook Express. That is the caption. It will not be saved to the *.reg file, but is just for you to remember if you have created several items. Now you should show which registry keys you would like to save. There is a button labeled "+" on the right side of the Registry Keys to Backup listbox. Press it and you'll see registry browser. There you can choose the keys you want to add to the list. Select the SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Outlook Express branch under the HKEY_CURRENT_USER and press the Add button. Now you can browse more keys if you wish. Let's add the SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Outlook Express key from the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE too. Now you can close the registry browser by clicking the Close button. You see those 2 keys added to the list. One more empty space to fill is the file name you want to save selected keys to. Browse the filename you want to save the keys to. Result file is a *.reg file. You may give it a name "Outlook Express" for example. You can merge it later back to the registry by just double-clicking on it with the mouse. After pressing the Ok button in the item editor you see that your item is listed in the main window. If you have more keys to save, you can make more items. Actually the power of the program is that you can save many keys at once, so use it :)
Now you have created your items, it's time to test if the program works at all. Choose the Backup All command from the Backup menu. This command tells the program to save all items you have created, i.e. generate appropriate *.reg files. You should also save your item list with the Save command in the File menu. That ensures you have the items listed next time you run the program ;-)
You can also rearrange, edit, delete, disable items. Please see the commands the Item menu.
Hints
=====
If you don't want backup files (*.bak) created, edit the BackupKey.rbk file and change the MakeBackup key in the Options section from 1 to 0.
Command line interface
======================
Syntax: BackupKey.exe [switches]
Switches are optional. Currently the following switch can be used:
-AUTOBACKUP
Starts program in minimised state, makes backup of all entries (corresponds to the Backup All command) and closes the program. This can be useful if you want to schedule backups or somehting like this.
History
=======
1.2.3 - March 24, 2001
- fixed: on rare circumistances zerolength binary values caused error
- fixed: toolbar button images should be now visible also with older comctl32.dll
1.2.2 - December 9, 1999
- fixed: Yesterday's update 1.2.1 introduced a new bug - HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT key takes forever to fill in the registry key browser. That is probably because of compatibility issues between 2 treeview controls, since I used new compiler and components to compile the previous update. With this build the problem is eliminated.
1.2.1 - December 8, 1999
- fixed: CR & LF in string values was not replaced with /r/n symbols, thus making incompatible file
- added: editing dialog is not resizeable, so you can make it wider to see long keys completely
1.2.0 - March 14, 1999
- added: Now can specify if subkeys of selected keys will be saved or not. Additional checkbox for each key.
1.1.1 - January 17, 1999
- fixed: Added support for all known binary types. Previous version only saved REG_BINARY binary type.
- fixed: String values that contained the double quote " symbol were breaked from the position of the double quote when merged back to the registry.
- fixed: Backup files were not created sometimes.
1.1.0 - December 16, 1998
- added: AUTOBACKUP command line switch
- added: now the number of keys to backup is visible in main window, after the name of each entry
1.0.0 - November 5, 1998
- initial version
Known Issues
============
- If you have problems with the toolbar ot it's buttons don't display images, you need updated comctl32.dll system file. Download it from:
Please note that the format of REG file is not puclic - that is another Microsoft prioprietary file format. So the REG files made by this program may not be compatible with all Windows versions, and may not work at all. However, I have fixed as many problems as possible and for now it should work quite well (for me anyway ;)
There are some sites in the Internet that contain many tips and info about the Windows Registry.
