how to read registry file

[OM]

Hi,

I made a backup copy of the registry on my xp machine. Can I read the
file without importing using another xp machine.

Thanks

 

[Graham Anderson]

You can open the .reg file with notepad on any PC to see what it contains.

 

[Jordan]

Did you just copy the files from your Windows\System32\Config folder or did
you export it to a REG file.

If you exported to a REG file use notepad.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

If you've backed up the 'whole' registry you've certainly got a hell of a
lot of reading to do.

I've jut tried it and my registry file size is 202,783KB in size. You can
read it by opening it in either notepad or Microsoft word. You will need to
right click the file and then select 'open with' Because of the size of the
file you may also find that notepad stops responding for a while, well at
least until it has opened up all the information.

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Just as an aside my registry backup file 'finally' opened in MS Word with a
total of 32,768 pages. But that isn't all the registry information,
apparently Word only supports 32,768 ( I got a message saying I had reached
Words maximum page allocation) pages so heaven knows what the final count
would have been.

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Kelly]

An option: From an account with Administrator level access

1) Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT
2) In Regedit, highlight the HKEY_USERS key and go to File, Load Hive.
3) Use the File Open dialog to go to the Documents and Settings\<username>
folder, where <username> is the account you wish to modify.
4) Highlight the NTUSER.DAT file in this folder (usually a hidden file) and
select Open.
5) You'll be prompted to enter a "Key name". You can use whatever you wish,
but I use the User's logon name.
6) You can now expand the Hive you just loaded and make any needed changes.
7) When finished, highlight this Hive again and go to File, Unload Hive.

NOTE: You MUST unload the Hive prior to logging on to the users account.
Otherwise XP may have trouble loading the user's profile.


HOW TO: Back Up, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/search/preview.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;322756

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

SupportSpace
www.supportspace.com/pages?aiu=kellyskorner

 

[OM]

Thanks for all the input.

 

[Kelly]

Most welcome and good luck!

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

SupportSpace
www.supportspace.com/pages?aiu=kellyskorner