Backup specific list of registry entries, create a merged output file, any easy way to do that?

paradoxum · Nov 3, 2025

So I reinstall a lot using symlinks to a 'persistent' partition which makes reinstalling windows pretty fast, but a lot of things I want to quickly make a backup of their .reg entries for to import after installing.

I tried making a batch script to do it following something from google like so;

But when I run it I get this:

Are there any little utilities or tools that can do this? I use WinaeroTweaker to combine them into a single file after I back them up but the initial backup process takes forever.

Thanks guys.

Try3 · Nov 3, 2025

Your script's first line has
\
instead of
"
before & after its Registry Key path.

Denis

paradoxum · Nov 3, 2025

Thanks I changed that and still get the same error.

REG EXPORT "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\OBS Studio" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\OBS Studio.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Bandizip" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Bandizip.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Bandizip" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Bandizip 2.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Binary Fortress Software" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Binary Fortress Software.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Blizzard Entertainment" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Blizzard Entertainment.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\BraveSoftware" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\BraveSoftware1.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\BraveSoftware" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\BraveSoftware2.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\CCP" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\CCP.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Corsair" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Corsair1.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Corsair" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Corsair2.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Discord" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Discord.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Binary Fortress Software" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Binary Fortress Software2.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA Games" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\EA Games1.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Electronic Arts1.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Electronic Arts" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Electronic Arts2.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\eM Client" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\eM Client.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Epic Games" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Epic Games.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\GIMP 3" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\GIMP 3.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\HexChat" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\HexChat.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Pushbullet" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Pushbullet.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Roccat" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Roccat.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SquareEnix" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\SquareEnix.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\StartIsBack" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\StartIsBack1.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\StartIsBack" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\StartIsBack2.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "KEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage2" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\StartIsBack3.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Valve]" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Valve1.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Valve2.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VideoLAN" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\VideoLAN.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Winaero.com" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\Winaero.com.reg" /y

REG EXPORT "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinSetView" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\WinSetView.reg" /y

Try3 · Nov 3, 2025

Is what you have posted the entire script?
Might you have some initial line starting with *R that you intended as a comment? It certainly looks that way.

Stick a Pause command on the end e.g.
Pause to check results during testing
and run the batch file by ~~double-clicking~~ on it so that you can observe proceedings.
corrected later - Right-clicking and selecting Run as Admin

Best of luck,
Denis

paradoxum · Nov 3, 2025

I have to open a shell and run it manually because just running the file opens/closes the window, that's the output I get

Try3 · Nov 3, 2025

Right-click on the batch file and select Run as Admin

Please post the batch script here.

Denis

paradoxum · Nov 3, 2025

yes this is running from an elevated window already

Try3 · Nov 3, 2025

paradoxum said:
yes this is running from an elevated window already

And what I'm suggesting is don't do that, don't have any shell / cmd window. You can run it as Admin directly.

And post a copy of the script here. That's where I think the fault is.

All the best,
Denis

paradoxum · Nov 3, 2025

same behaviour opens / closes, same when ran from an already open prompt

Try3 · Nov 3, 2025

Then I remain convinced that there is an initial line in your batch file before the first command that is shown in your OP diagram.

Denis

paradoxum · Nov 3, 2025

so it should run from what I pasted? because I mean that's the file contents.

Try3 · Nov 3, 2025

In that case, I really do not understand what is going wrong.
I would expect your script to run.
My example works:

By the way, I only referred to Admin permissions because you did. I think Admin is only need for Reg Export commands if your software has put relevant restrictions on the Registry Keys involved.

Denis

Try3 · Nov 3, 2025

If you enter a simple cmd in your cmd prompt window, does it work alright?
And does a simple batch file run alright? Try, say,
echo %ComputerName%
dir
Pause to look at the results in the cmd prompt window

Do you get a normal value of PathExt?
[I'm expecting the answer, Yes.]
echo %PathExt%
should respond
.COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH;.MSC

Denis

Try3 · Nov 3, 2025

You have hidden characters preceding your
Reg export
words.
The fault applies to at least the first two lines.
Perhaps you copied the batch file from MSWord or the internet. Doing so can cause script problems.

I found the problem by repeating my post #12 test but by copying the text from your script.

Just rewrite the Reg export words in every line of a new file and copy across all your Registry key & output path bits.

Denis

paradoxum · Dec 1, 2025

thanks I tried with that and still had the issue, i''ll try it again now cause i'm doing a format.

paradoxum · Dec 1, 2025

Registry Editor

Is there any way I can run a registry backup from, say, a batch file?

www.elevenforum.com

I'm really confused how to use this - do I need to backup these hive files too? can you put some example registry keys down for me so I have something to go from?

Like I've been trying REG EXPORT "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\OBS Studio" "D:\Backups\Registry Backups\New\OBS Studio.reg" /y etc

Try3 said:
If you enter a simple cmd in your cmd prompt window, does it work alright?
And does a simple batch file run alright? Try, say,
echo %ComputerName%
dir
Pause to look at the results in the cmd prompt window

Do you get a normal value of PathExt?
[I'm expecting the answer, Yes.]
echo %PathExt%
should respond
.COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH;.MSC

Denis

https://imgur.com/MQH4YtD

Try3 · Dec 1, 2025

If you put an image in your post, your readers can see it.

Denis

mngerhold · Dec 1, 2025

The first line contains the Hex codes FF FE in front of the 'R'.

glasskuter · Dec 1, 2025

I use Winaero Tweaker. I merged 35 tweaks into one regedit file.
Winaero Tweaker

Try3 · Dec 2, 2025

mngerhold said:
The first line contains the Hex codes FF FE in front of the 'R'.

I told him that before but he's not interessted.

Denis

Backup specific list of registry entries, create a merged output file, any easy way to do that?

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