How to backup the Windows XP Registry?

Method 1: Using System Restore

One way to backup the registry is to create a System Restore snapshot. System Restore returns your computer to a previous snapshot without losing recent personal information, such as documents, history lists, favorites, or e-mail. It monitors the computer and many applications for changes and creates restore points. You restore these snapshots when your configuration isn't working. This method is unreliable in case you want to rollback the registry changes made a longtime ago, in which case the System Restore might have purged that particular restore point - due to space constraints or due to a recent system restore point or even a Restore point corruption. Please remember, System Restore points get deleted for many reasons, making it unreliable, especially in the long run.


Method 2: Backing up the selected branch of the registry by exporting (Reliable)

This method is preferred if you're making changes to a specific key/area of the registry. To backup a selected branch/key in the registry, try this:

* Click Start, and then click Run.
* In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK
* Locate and then click the key that contains the value that you want to edit
* On the File menu, click Export.
* In the Save in box, select a location where you want to save the Registration Entries (.reg)
* In the File name box, type a file name, and then click Save.

Now that you've created a Registry backup for that particular key. Save the REG file in a safer location in case you want to undo the registry changes made. You can restore the settings by just double-clicking the REG file. It automatically merges the contents to the Registry.


Method 2 (a) : Export registry keys using a command-line (Console Registry Tool)

You can use the Console Registry Tool for Windows (Reg.exe) to edit the registry. For help with the Reg.exe tool, type reg /? at the Command Prompt, and then click OK.

Example: To export the key [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\IOLO] and it's sub-keys, try this from Command Prompt:

REG EXPORT HKCU\Software\IOLO C:\IOLO.REG

To view the REG contents type notepad C:\iolo.reg in Start, Run dialog. Console Registry Tool is extremely handy for network admins and also for home users.


Method 3: Backing up the whole registry ("System state")

For backing up the whole registry, use the NTBackup utility to back up the System State. The System State includes the registry, the COM+ Class Registration Database, and your boot files. See section "Back Up the Whole Registry" in the following article:

HOW TO: Back Up, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows XP

NOTE: NTBACKUP is not installed by default in Windows XP Home Edition. Install it using the instructions available at: Q302894.


Thanks to windowsxp.mvps.org

Leggi anche theeldergeek.com

text to speech & speech recognition

sempre dell'abile Dimio.

DSpeech è un programma di TTS (Text To Speech) con funzionalità di ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition) integrate. E' cioè in grado di leggere ad alta voce il testo scritto e di scegliere le frasi da pronunciare a seconda delle risposte vocali dell'utente. E' progettato specificamente per fornire in maniera rapida e diretta le funzioni di maggiore utilità pratica che si richiedono ai programmi di questo tipo, mantenendo al contempo al minimo l'invasività e il consumo di risorse (non si installa, non si integra nel sistema, è leggerissimo, si avvia in un attimo e non scrive niente nel registro).

Sincronizzare 2 directory

Sempre dell'abile Dimio.

DSynchronize è un'utilità che permette di effettuare periodicamente la sincronizzazione di due o più cartelle poste su Hard Disk, Floppy Disk, LAN, USB Key, CD-DVD (con software di packet writing) e server FTP.

E' possibile specificare con esattezza l'ora e i giorni in cui si vuole sincronizzare le varie cartelle, all'occorrenza è anche possibile impostare dei filtri.

Un'opzione sicuramente interessante è la sincronizzazione in Real-Time, essa consente di intercettare le modifiche dei file nel percorso di origine e di replicarle immediatamente in quello di destinazione.

Shutdown (automatico) locale e remoto

Dell'abile Dimio.

DShutdown è un programma che serve per pianificare lo spegnimento o l'accensione del PC locale e/o di una serie di PC remoti in una LAN.

Sono supportate, oltre alle opzioni di shutdown classiche, tutta una serie di opzioni particolari relative sia allo spegnimento (come la "force after wait" che consente di ottenere uno shutdown forzato ma regolare al tempo stesso), sia al monitoraggio (come l'opzione di spegnere il PC quando un altro programma termina, utile per spegnere il PC al termine della compressione di molti files, o quando il traffico internet si riduce oltre una data soglia per un dato tempo, utile per spegnere il PC al termine di un download).

E' anche possibile intercettare una richiesta di spegnimento effettuata dall'utente (o da un altro software) per poi eseguire lo shutdown con le opzioni selezionate (questo può essere utile, ad esempio, per spegnere in automatico tutti i PC della rete locale nel momento in cui viene spento il server).

autostart

Applicazioni/servizi NON necessari al boot (cfr. CastelCops):

APPLICAZIONE

Name: BitTorrent DNA
Command: btdna.exe
Status: User's choice - depends whether a user deems it necessary
Description: Related to BitTorrent_DNA. BitTorrent DNA works with your existing CDN or origin servers, seamlessly accelerating your downloads or HTTP media streams. Note: Located in \%Program Files%\DNA\

APPLICAZIONE

Name: RemoteCenter

Command: RcMan.exe

Status: User's choice - depends whether a user deems it necessary

Description: Remote control for Creative MediaSource - plays back music in DVD-Audio, MP3, WMA, WAV and other media formats.

APPLICAZIONE
Name: RemoteControl
Command: PDVDServ.exe
Status: User's choice - depends whether a user deems it necessary
Description: Remote Control background application for CyberLink\'s PowerDVD version 5 and above. Enables you to use a remote control with your DVD drive if your drive came with one. Not required if you don\'t have a remote control, or don't wish to use one

APPLICAZIONE
Name: SbUsb AudCtrl
Command: RunDll32 sbusbdll.dll,RCMonitor
Status: User's choice - depends whether a user deems it necessary

Description: Control for Soundblaster MP3 external (USB) sound card.

APPLICAZIONE

Name: CTDVDDet

Command: CTDVDDet.exe, CTDetect.exe

Status: Not required - typically infrequently used tasks that can be started manually if necessary

Description: Auto-detect and play a DVD when using a Creative Soundblaster Audigy2 soundcard. Uses about 2.2 MB of memory. Disable it by heading to the MediaSource DVD Audio Player, selecting Tools, then uncheck the Auto Start box. It should not start up automatically again.

APPLICAZIONE

Name: ctfmon.exe

Command: ctfmon.exe

Status: User's choice - depends whether a user deems it necessary

Description: CTFMon is involved with the language/alternative input services in Office XP. CTFMON.exe will continue to put itself back into MSConfig when you run the Office XP apps as long as the Text Services and Speech applets in the Control Panel are enabled.

Not required if you don't need these features.For more info on ctfmon see Microsoft.

CTFMON can be disabled from Control Panel, Text & Speech Services.

NOTE: The file will always be located in the System32 folder. If it is located elsewhere, it will likely be a worm or trojan!

APPLICAZIONE

Name: UpdReg

Command: Updreg.exe

Status: Not required - typically infrequently used tasks that can be started manually if necessary

Description: Reminder to register Creative Labs SoundBlaster Live! cards.

APPLICAZIONE
Name: QuickTime Task
Command: Qttask.exe
Status: Not required - typically infrequently used tasks that can be started manually if necessary
Description: System Tray access to Apple's "Quick Time" viewer from version 5 onwards

APPLICAZIONE
Name: NeroFilterCheck
Command: NeroCheck.exe
Status: User's choice - depends whether a user deems it necessary
Description: Associated with "Nero Burning Rom" CD writing software. Checks for driver issues

SERVIZIO

Name: Creative Service for CDROM Access

Command: Ctsvccda.exe

Status: Not required - typically infrequently used tasks that can be started manually if necessary

Description: Resident program for Creative's PlayCenter included with Soundblaster Audigy sound cards - speeds up detection of some media CDs if the system doesn't natively support them. Available via Start -> Programs.