# How can I read a backup of my registry files? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 10, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-read-a-backup-of-my-registry-files/303244 "2005-05-10T16:56:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ktest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/258eb7/32.png) [@ktest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ktest)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-read-a-backup-of-my-registry-files/303244/1 "2005-05-10T16:56:17Z")
I recently had a computer failure and reinstalled. I had elaborate settings for my scanner, color and brightness balance for many types of documents. All of these are registry items. All my old files are on backup CDs. If I could find out what the old settings were I could use Regedit to enter them into the new registry. But I can’t figure out how to make Regedit work on a backup file. Is there a way to force Regedit to work within a certain directory? Or is there another tool I can use? I just need to see the data in the backup, not modify it there. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2005, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-read-a-backup-of-my-registry-files/303244/2 "2005-05-10T17:09:13Z")
Your registry entries should be in plain text. Make a copy (just in case) of your backup file and open it in notepad. ---
**Author:** ![ktest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/258eb7/32.png) [@ktest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ktest)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2005, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-read-a-backup-of-my-registry-files/303244/3 "2005-05-10T18:01:21Z")
Only the “document type” is in plain text, not all the color and contrast and document position settings. They look like this in Notepad: Deposit Disbursement sheet (pink) C Pÿÿÿnk 0"©JÅ ™ ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ ` èx ÿÿÿÿ | y s ` ---
**Author:** ![JohnM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/848f3c/32.png) [@JohnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnM)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2005, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-read-a-backup-of-my-registry-files/303244/4 "2005-05-10T18:45:42Z")
It looks like this product, [Resplendent Registrar](http://www.resplendence.com/registrar), might do the trick. It’s shareware, but claims to be fully functional during the trial period. If it works for you please give us an update, as this is something I’ve had the occasional need for as well. ---
**Author:** ![ktest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/258eb7/32.png) [@ktest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ktest)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2005, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-read-a-backup-of-my-registry-files/303244/5 "2005-05-10T23:19:38Z")
That looks like it will work, but it wants to know what individual file I want to search. What file in XP would correspond to “HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER\Software\Visioneer\TwainPrefs\ADF” ? (Visioneer is my brand of scanner) Is that in \Windows\System32…something? I never could figure out exactly which files comprised the registry. ---
**Author:** ![ktest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/258eb7/32.png) [@ktest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ktest)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2005, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-read-a-backup-of-my-registry-files/303244/6 "2005-05-11T00:07:14Z")
**JohnM** - Thanks. That tool did work for me once I found the right file to read. (I’d actually read from it in an earlier search today and then forgot which of many files it was.) I just located a site that tells where all the files are: [The Windows Registry Files and where to find them](http://www.easydesksoftware.com/regfiles.htm) > [@](#): > > In Windows NT, XP, 2000, and 2003 there are several Registry files. These files, with one exception, are named without a file extension and are stored in the Windows\System32\Config folder. These files are named Software, System, SAM, Security, Default, and UserDiff. There is one more Registry file and it does have a file extension, NTuser.dat. In Windows XP, 2000 and 2003, NTuser.dat is stored in the users folder under the Documents and Settings folder. So, I did find my settings in my own NTuser.dat, and that utility displayed them all at once. It’s got a slightly better display than RegEdit, I think, in that you can see more key values at one time. ---
**Author:** ![JohnM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/848f3c/32.png) [@JohnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnM)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2005, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-read-a-backup-of-my-registry-files/303244/7 "2005-05-11T12:25:33Z")
Glad it worked. I’ll add that to my list of “buy it if I need it” tools.