any useful tools for merging lots of *.reg files into one master reg file?


x509

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I'm beginning to accumulate a bunch of reg files that I would want to apply to all my Win 11 installs (4 and counting),. It would be nice to have just one reg file to "rule them all."

I know I can do this with brute force copying and pasting, but I was wondering if there is some tool into which I could feed all the reg files and get this one master file

Same question for PS1 commands.

Thanks in advance.

2H23 V 22631.4890
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
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    PC/Desktop
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    home built
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    AMD 7900x
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    64 GB
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    Also have Lenovo T14S laptop (me) and Lenovo Slim 71 (wife)
Winaero Tweaker has a section where you can do that. I use it all the time.

Accessible under "Tools”

  1. Open Winaero Tweaker.
  2. Go to "Tools" in the main menu.
  3. Select "Merge Reg Files".
  4. Add the desired registry files to the tool.
  5. Click the "Merge" button to combine the files.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5039
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
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    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
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    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
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    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
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    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
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    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
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    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
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    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
Just for your notes, you can also use powershell to import all reg files with a folder/directory at once:

Save as a .bat file:
Code:
<# :
  @echo off
    powershell /nologo /noprofile /command ^
        "&{[ScriptBlock]::Create((cat """%~f0""") -join [Char[]]10).Invoke(@(&{$args}%*))}"
  exit /b
#>

    $regFiles  = Get-ChildItem 'C:\PathHere\*.reg'
        foreach ($file in $regFiles) {
          reg import $file
         }

Or just for powershell/ .ps1:
Code:
$regFiles  = Get-ChildItem 'C:\PathHere\*.reg'
        foreach ($file in $regFiles) {
          reg import $file
         }

Replace PathHere with actual path, but keep *.reg at the end
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
You can do that at a command line (Cmd) with a simple copy command:

copy file1.reg+file2.reg+file3.reg new.reg

or

copy *.reg new.reg

It's perfectly fine for the reg file header line to be repeated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10/11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
You can do that at a command line (Cmd) with a simple copy command:

copy file1.reg+file2.reg+file3.reg new.reg

or

copy *.reg new.reg

It's perfectly fine for the reg file header line to be repeated.


Les, wouldn’t that be time consuming (creating the command) when (like me) there are approx 45/50 reg files to merge?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5039
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 - 2 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
Les, wouldn’t that be time consuming (creating the command) when (like me) there are approx 45/50 reg files to merge?
Yes. With a lot of reg files, especially if they are in multiple folders, using Winaero Tweaker, as you recommended, would be much more efficient.

I was just pointing out an alternative that may be a good solution in some cases, such as combining all the reg files from one folder using *.reg.

Also, since reg files are text files, a text editor with a good pick and choose file combiner would also work well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10/11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
When appending .reg files (copy reg1+reg2+reg3.... new.reg), the last executed change on the same key wins.
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem]
"NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation"=dword:00000001
...

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem]
"NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation"=dword:00000000

If you know exactly what's in each files, and it's not a giant combination of random tweaks, that's fine

Otherwise you can get into trouble when combining several files that having conflicting settings. Windows doesn't really care, but the final result of applying the single file might not be what you expect it to be. You don't get any warnings about duplicates or conflicts.


For expert users, I recommend Gerson Kurz's regdiff tool for comparison and merging. Though it only handles two reg sources at the same time.
REGDIFF - Version 4.3
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Thanks for everyone who posted. I'm relatively new to the kind of Windows managemnet based on extensive use of reg files and PS1 scripts. It was useful to see the variety of approaches suggested in this thread.

I'm going to suggest a program that probably comes out of a fever dream, or maybe when I've had about 10 too many shots of slivovitz. (With a friend, we once polished off most of a bottle of slivovitz. We regretted that for days afterwards.)

So here is my idea, a challenge to registry gurus. Write a program (database?) that lists all the keys included in a fresh install of Windows, and default value. Plus the keys installed by popular software. Then scan a current registry and flag all the keys that have been modified, and a short explanation of the meaning of the original and current settings.

Please comment on this challenge program and improve the description.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    home built
    CPU
    AMD 7900x
    Motherboard
    ASUS AMD x670E ROG Strix E-A
    Memory
    64 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 3060 Ti (but wanting to upgrade)
    Sound Card
    built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 24"
    Cooling
    AIO for CPU, fans for case
    Keyboard
    Das Keyboard 4
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 (white)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
    Other Info
    Also have Lenovo T14S laptop (me) and Lenovo Slim 71 (wife)
I like the idea itself, but it’s a Sisyphean task, if you ask me.

What even is a default install of Windows? No drivers, or whose driver set? Which features? Which capabilities? Which AppX packages? Which languages?

And that’s with no applications.

I’ll find happiness and inner peace before you finish this task.

But again, I like the idea of it.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel NUC12WSHi7
    CPU
    12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P, 2100 MHz
    Motherboard
    NUC12WSBi7
    Memory
    64 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    built-in Realtek HD audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3219Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB
    Keyboard
    CODE 104-Key Mechanical with Cherry MX Clears
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
  • Operating System
    Linux Mint 21.2 (Cinnamon)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel NUC8i5BEH
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8259U CPU @ 2.30GHz
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Iris Plus 655
    Keyboard
    CODE 104-Key Mechanical with Cherry MX Clears
@Brink: "How to Disable or Enable Copilot for W11 25H2 Desktop Settings [April 1, 2026]".

Should be the same as below unless changed again.

 

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  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
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    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
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    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
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    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I hate to admit I didn't get it either. 😥
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel NUC12WSHi7
    CPU
    12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P, 2100 MHz
    Motherboard
    NUC12WSBi7
    Memory
    64 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    built-in Realtek HD audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3219Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB
    Keyboard
    CODE 104-Key Mechanical with Cherry MX Clears
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
  • Operating System
    Linux Mint 21.2 (Cinnamon)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel NUC8i5BEH
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8259U CPU @ 2.30GHz
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Iris Plus 655
    Keyboard
    CODE 104-Key Mechanical with Cherry MX Clears
I like the idea itself, but it’s a Sisyphean task, if you ask me.

What even is a default install of Windows? No drivers, or whose driver set? Which features? Which capabilities? Which AppX packages? Which languages?

And that’s with no applications.
Good questions, all. Like I said, after too many shots of slivovitz over dinner.
I’ll find happiness and inner peace before you finish this task.
Me!?!?!?! I can't even program in C or Java, let alone python. :alien: If I told you the programming languages I learned in college and used early in my career, and the machines I used, you would probably consign me to a dementia treatment center. :rolleyes:

But again, I like the idea of it.
Glad. I'm hoping someone out there, wherever he is, will take this idea on as a challenge. Chris Titus maybe?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    home built
    CPU
    AMD 7900x
    Motherboard
    ASUS AMD x670E ROG Strix E-A
    Memory
    64 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 3060 Ti (but wanting to upgrade)
    Sound Card
    built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 24"
    Cooling
    AIO for CPU, fans for case
    Keyboard
    Das Keyboard 4
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 (white)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
    Other Info
    Also have Lenovo T14S laptop (me) and Lenovo Slim 71 (wife)
Thanks for everyone who posted. I'm relatively new to the kind of Windows managemnet based on extensive use of reg files and PS1 scripts. It was useful to see the variety of approaches suggested in this thread.

I'm going to suggest a program that probably comes out of a fever dream, or maybe when I've had about 10 too many shots of slivovitz. (With a friend, we once polished off most of a bottle of slivovitz. We regretted that for days afterwards.)

So here is my idea, a challenge to registry gurus. Write a program (database?) that lists all the keys included in a fresh install of Windows, and default value. Plus the keys installed by popular software. Then scan a current registry and flag all the keys that have been modified, and a short explanation of the meaning of the original and current settings.

Please comment on this challenge program and improve the description.
Well, I don't see the feasibility of any single person being able to explain any and all possible registry changes. The Windows-specific ones are in the realm of a possibility but the app-specific ones? Who on Earth knows every single Windows app out there and the registry settings they touch to be able to explain the changes?!

This, I think, is a more realistic solution:
  • Export the registry after your fresh Windows install (e.g., Windows Base.reg).
  • Export the registry after your standard app installs (e.g., Windows Base With Standard Apps.reg)
  • Continue to export the registry after whatever additional installs/milestones/events that you deem are noteworthy.
  • Use a file comparison app that will compare two (or more) files and show you which lines, and texts on those lines, that have changed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
    Memory
    32GB
    Hard Drives
    1TB
No smart filtering necessary: For example, I have UltraCompare; feed it two or more text files and it will simply highlight the lines--and text on those lines--that are different.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
    Memory
    32GB
    Hard Drives
    1TB
For applications, I'd use something like the way ProcMon works, so it can be filtered to just that app, and maybe child processes. Even if you're trying to capture the activity of a simple app, there's just too much other background noise going on at the same time. Doing something like dumping reg files would capture that noise, and you wouldn't know what's from the app and what isn't.

This is an interesting thought experiment though. Makes me sleepy just pondering on the undertaking of it.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel NUC12WSHi7
    CPU
    12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P, 2100 MHz
    Motherboard
    NUC12WSBi7
    Memory
    64 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    built-in Realtek HD audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3219Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB
    Keyboard
    CODE 104-Key Mechanical with Cherry MX Clears
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
  • Operating System
    Linux Mint 21.2 (Cinnamon)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel NUC8i5BEH
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8259U CPU @ 2.30GHz
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Iris Plus 655
    Keyboard
    CODE 104-Key Mechanical with Cherry MX Clears
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