How to Back Up Registry Keys
You backup (and restore) Registry keys using Regedit. You have the choice of Registration Files or Registry Hive Files. [File > Import | Export > *.reg or *.* (hive file)]
Advantages: Human readable and editable; quick to import (just click).
Disadvantages: You can import by accident (but you can configure against that); merges, does not replace (old values are not removed).
Registry Hive Files (extension of your choice -- *.hive is a good one -- or you can omit it entirely.)
Advantages: It's like a System Restore: Import removes and replaces the entire (sub)-Key and values -- it does not merge -- you cannot import by accident.
Disadvantages: Not Human readable and editable; can't merge values.
