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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →If Windows still starts, restore a saved export of the registry key you changed or use System Restore if a suitable restore point exists. If Windows will not start, open the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and try Startup Repair or System Restore. These options do different things: importing a .reg file restores only the data in that file, while System Restore rolls back broader system changes.
First, check whether Windows starts
If you can reach the desktop, note the registry key or value you edited and look for a .reg backup you exported before making the change. Do not import a registry file unless you know it is the backup for the affected key. If Windows cannot reach the desktop, skip to the WinRE section; the normal Registry Editor steps are not available.
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Microsoft warns that improper registry changes can cause “significant issues, including system instability, application errors, or even prevent Windows from starting.” See Microsoft’s registry guidance and make a backup before future edits.
If Windows starts: import a registry backup
This option is useful when you exported the affected key or subkey before editing. It does not restore registry data that was not included in that export, and it does not roll back other system changes.
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- Open Start, type Registry Editor, and open it.
- Select File > Import.
- Find and select the saved .reg backup, then choose Open.
- Restart Windows and check whether the original problem is resolved.
Microsoft documents exporting and importing registry data for Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8.1 in its registry backup and restore instructions. If you did not save a backup, do not guess at replacement values or import an unrelated .reg file.
If the problem affects Windows more broadly: use System Restore
System Restore can be a better fit when the issue is not limited to one known registry key. Choose a restore point created before the problem began. System Restore rolls back system files, registry settings, and installed programs to the selected point; Microsoft says it does not affect personal files. Review the restore point and the changes Windows reports before confirming.
A suitable restore point must exist. Restore points depend on System Protection, which Microsoft says is not enabled by default, so availability differs between PCs. See Microsoft’s System Restore instructions and System Protection overview.
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If Windows will not start: open WinRE
WinRE provides recovery tools when Windows cannot start normally. Windows may enter it automatically after repeated startup failures. You can also reach recovery through Advanced startup or Windows installation media; Microsoft explains the available routes and tools in its Windows Recovery Environment guide.
Try Startup Repair for a startup failure
- In WinRE, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
- Choose the Windows installation if prompted and follow the on-screen instructions.
- When the repair finishes, restart and see whether Windows starts.
Startup Repair attempts to fix certain startup problems, and Microsoft lists registry errors among the issues it may address. It is not a general undo function for every registry edit. Details are in Microsoft’s Startup Repair guidance.
Use System Restore from WinRE if a restore point is available
In WinRE, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore, choose an account if asked, and follow the prompts to select a point from before the problem. This uses the same restore-point mechanism described above; it is only an option if a usable point exists.
An encrypted device may ask for its BitLocker recovery key before you can access recovery options. Find the key before proceeding if prompted. Microsoft’s Windows recovery options guide covers this requirement.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsChoose the least disruptive option that fits
| Option | What it needs | What it changes | Personal files |
|---|---|---|---|
| Import a .reg export | Windows must start, and you must have exported the relevant key or subkey. | Only the registry data in that export. | Not affected by the import itself. |
| System Restore | A suitable restore point; can be run in Windows or WinRE. | System files, registry settings, and installed programs return to the selected point. | Microsoft says personal files are not affected. |
| Startup Repair | WinRE access; useful when Windows has a startup problem. | Attempts to repair certain startup issues, including some registry errors; it is not a general registry rollback. | Not stated by Microsoft as a general file-preserving rollback option. |
| Reset or reinstall Windows | Follow the current instructions for your Windows version; back up first. | Effects vary by selected reset or reinstall option; do not assume apps, settings, or registry configuration will remain. | Some options can cause data loss. |
Back up before using more disruptive recovery
Before a reset, reinstall, or other disruptive recovery, copy important personal files somewhere safe if you can. Microsoft warns that some recovery options can cause data loss. A Windows Recovery Drive does not contain personal files, so it is not a substitute for a personal-file backup. See Microsoft’s backup, restore, and recovery guidance and use the recovery instructions for your Windows version before resetting or reinstalling.
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