registry backup using windows 10 iso repair to fix failure to boot pitfalls

Question

_{Sunday, June 11, 2017 11:36 PM}

The internet has lots of links that display how to use a windows 10 iso to backup the registry.

When the computer is booted to the iso repair this computer is clicked and command prompt is opened.

C:\windows\system32\config>
dir displays: bbi, bcd-template, components, default, drivers, elam, sam, security, software, system, vsmidk, journal, regback, systemprofile txr, etc.

A new directory is made with name backup
MD backup
All of the files are copied into this new directory with copy *.* backup
It should now display: bbi, bcd-template, components, default, drivers, elam, sam, security, software, system, vsmidk indicating the files were copied.

The directory is then changed to regback with cd regback

It should now display: c:\windows\system32\config\regback>
19)type: dir
It should display: default, sam, security, software, system etc

Sometimes all of these files are sizeable which allows the registry backup to fix the boot problem.
Other times the size will display zeros.

What is happening?
How come on different computer environments it sometimes works and sometimes
Where can I read more about this method and its pitfalls?

If the registry backup method above does not work what other methods are there to perform a regback so that it copies sizeable files?

If the files were size then copy *.* ..
would have it display:

DEFAULT
Overwrite ..\default? (yes/no/all):
Typin a would then display: sam, security, software, system and that the files were copied.

Exiting and then rebooting would then allow the computer to boot to the copied regback files.

Please explain in detail the environment in which this does and does not work.
Also please provide any links thata have more information on the pitfalls of the method.

All replies (1)

_{Tuesday, June 13, 2017 6:57 AM}

Hi questionsformicrosoftproducts,

I haven't heared any official method to backup the registry key from a ISO and use it to fix boot issue.
Would you please share us more details of the exact issue? What is the main purpose?

Usually we just need to right click the registry key to backup them. 

https://support.microsoft.com/en-sg/help/322756/how-to-back-up-and-restore-the-registry-in-windows

For a boot failure issue, it is usually related to bcd. We usually use the tool in WinRE to fix it such as the "Automatic repair" option or the "bcdboot" command line. I haven'heared any method to use the registry key to fix it.

Best regards

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