reg SAVE /?: Saves the hive MyApp to the file XXXXX.hiv in the current folder ...

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19045.3693]
(c) Copyright 1985-2023 Microsoft Corp.

C:\\WINDOWS>


Console Registry Tool for Windows - version 3.0
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-2001.  All rights reserved


REG SAVE KeyName FileName

  KeyName    ROOTKEY\SubKey
    ROOTKEY  [ HKLM | HKCU | HKCR | HKU | HKCC ]
    SubKey   The full name of a registry key under the selected ROOTKEY
  FileName   The name of the disk file to save. If no path is specified, the
             file is created in the current folder of the calling process

Examples:

  REG SAVE HKLM\Software\MyCo\MyApp AppBkUp.hiv
    Saves the hive MyApp to the file AppBkUp.hiv in the current folder

The `REG SAVE` command on the Windows command line is used to save the structure of a registry branch to a file. Here are examples with technical explanations: Example 1: Saving an entire registry branch:

REG SAVE "HKLM\Software\My Company\The App" "AppBkUp.hiv"

- `REG SAVE`: The command to save the registry hive. - `"HKLM\Software\My Company\The App"`: The path of the registry branch to save. - `"AppBkUp.hiv"`: The name of the file in which the registry hive is stored. Example 2: Force overwrite without prompt:

REG SAVE "HKLM\Software\My Company\The App" "AppBkUp.hiv" /y

- `/y`: The parameter that forces overwriting of the existing file without prompting. Example 3: Saving a registry branch with access from the 32-bit registry view:

REG SAVE "HKLM\Software\My Company\The App" "AppBkUp.hiv" /reg:32

- `/reg:32`: The parameter indicating that the registry branch should be accessed through the 32-bit registry view. Example 4: Saving a registry branch with access from the 64-bit registry view:

REG SAVE "HKLM\Software\My Company\The App" "AppBkUp.hiv" /reg:64

- `/reg:64`: The parameter indicating that the registry branch should be accessed through the 64-bit registry view. The use of quotation marks encloses the paths to ensure that spaces or special characters are interpreted correctly. These commands are useful for creating a backup of the registry hive from changes.

When using the `REG SAVE` command on the Windows command line to save registry branches, there are a few important points to note: 1: Administrator rights: - Saving registration information requires administrator rights. Make sure you run Command Prompt as administrator. Example:

REG SAVE "HKLM\Software\My Company\The App" "AppBkUp.hiv"

2: Create backup copies: - Before making any changes to the registry, create backup copies. The `REG SAVE` command is used to save a structure before making any changes. Example:

REG SAVE "HKLM\Software\My Company\The App" "AppBkUp.hiv"

3: Quote paths: - If the path contains spaces or special characters, enclose the entire path in quotation marks to ensure that it is interpreted correctly. Example:

REG SAVE "HKLM\Software\My Company\The App" "AppBkUp.hiv"

4: Overwrite without confirmation: - The command usually requires confirmation if the target file already exists. Use `/y` to force overwrite without confirmation. Example:

REG SAVE "HKLM\Software\My Company\The App" "AppBkUp.hiv" /y

5: Specify 32-bit or 64-bit registry view: - Depending on whether you want to access the 32-bit or 64-bit registry view, use the `/reg:32` or `/reg:64` options. Example:

REG SAVE "HKLM\Software\My Company\The App" "AppBkUp.hiv" /reg:32

It is important to emphasize that working with the registry is potentially risky, and changes may impact the system. Therefore, you should be extremely careful and ensure that you understand the implications of the `REG SAVE` command.