If Windows says a registry hive is corrupt or missing (often stop code 0xC0000218), the supported fix is to boot into Windows recovery and use Startup Repair or, better, a System Restore point. Do not copy hive files from random sources, and do not count on the old RegBack folder. Microsoft says a driver is only a rare cause, so the word “driver” in your error doesn’t confirm that a driver is to blame.
Step 1: Write down the exact error
Your title doesn’t say which stop code, hive or Windows version you have. These details decide what to do next, so note them before you try anything.
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- The full stop code, for example
0xC0000218or a message such as “registry file failure”. - The hive path or filename. Microsoft says the 0xC0000218 message displays the name of the damaged file.
- Your system type: a Windows PC, Windows Server, or an Azure virtual machine.
Taking a phone photo of the screen is enough.
What the error means
A hive is a registry file that Windows loads at startup, and it has supporting files alongside it (Microsoft: Registry Hives). Microsoft describes bug check 0xC0000218 as a failure to load a necessary hive, usually because the hive is corrupt or missing. A driver is a rare possible cause of corruption in the in-memory registry image. The error alone doesn’t tell you the cause.
Unexpected shutdowns and disk or hardware problems are also worth considering. Microsoft’s advanced registry troubleshooting article lists them, though it is written for Windows Server. If the error comes back after a successful repair, suspect the disk or power first.
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Step 2: Use Windows recovery
Microsoft’s resolution for this bug check is: “Try using the startup recovery mechanism (for example Startup Repair, Recovery Console, or Emergency Recovery Disk) provided by the operating system.” That page is aimed at programmers. It sends customers with blue-screen errors to general Windows troubleshooting.
For Windows PCs, Microsoft’s startup troubleshooting guide points to the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and recommends System Restore for registry corruption. Menu names vary by Windows version and device state.
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| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| The PC reaches the recovery screen by itself after failed boots | Choose Troubleshoot, then Advanced options. Try System Restore with a restore point from before the problem began. Try Startup Repair if no restore point exists. |
| It doesn’t reach recovery | Boot from Windows recovery or installation media on a USB drive and choose the repair option instead of a fresh install. The USB only gives you access to the tools. It doesn’t repair the hive itself. |
| No restore point exists | Try Startup Repair. If it fails, back up your files and consider a reset or reinstall. Don’t improvise hive swaps. |
| Azure VM | Use the VM-specific procedure below. |
If the drive holds data you can’t replace, copy it off first. You can do this from recovery media or by connecting the drive to another computer. Do this before any step that could change the system state.
Don’t rely on RegBack
Older guides tell you to copy files from C:WindowsSystem32configRegBack. Microsoft says that starting with Windows 10 version 1803, the registry is no longer automatically backed up there by design, and the files can be zero bytes. Microsoft recommends System Restore instead. The page also describes a setting that re-enables periodic backups. That setting only helps in future. It can’t create a backup that was never made, so it is no urgent fix.
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If it’s an Azure VM
Microsoft’s Azure procedure is an offline workflow. You attach the OS disk to a separate troubleshooting VM, back up the config files, and try to load the SYSTEM hive. If it can’t be loaded, Microsoft advises contacting Azure Support. Don’t apply this to a home PC.
What to avoid
- Replacing hive files with copies from another machine or an unknown download.
- Running registry or disk commands without knowing which Windows installation they target. In recovery, the drive letter often differs from C:.
- Assuming a driver is at fault. Don’t remove drivers until you know the cause.
If recovery fails
If System Restore and Startup Repair both fail, or the error returns, suspect the storage drive. Check its health from another computer or from recovery media. After that, a qualified repair technician or Microsoft support is the next step. When you ask for help, include the stop code and hive path, the Windows version and what you have already tried. Nobody has published a reliable success rate for these repairs, so be wary of anyone promising a guaranteed fix.
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