Regback files are empty

2019-02-07

Question

_{Thursday, February 7, 2019 5:57 PM}

Hello,

I needed to restore my registry this morning and the regback files were all at 0 bytes. I do not wish to ever be in this situation again. Can you please tell me how to create a current sam, default, system, security and software file for the regback directory?

Can I make new ones with regedit?

All replies (6)

_{Thursday, February 7, 2019 8:42 PM ✅Answered | 1 vote}

Hello,

You will probably need third party tools to back up the registry.

The registry files are not longer backed up to the regback folder.

Thanks, Darrell Gorter [MSFT] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

_{Friday, February 8, 2019 12:54 AM ✅Answered | 1 vote}

In October 2018 there were problems with Windows 10 1809.

Some end users had files disappear.

Microsoft withdrew the Windows 10 1809 upgrade.

Microsoft modified the Feedback hub.

Feedback had been viewed by volume and not by severity.

Feedback was then modified to include severity.

Please use the Feedback to communicate with Microsoft about the bug with or loss of Regback.

https://www.ghacks.net/2018/10/31/windows-10-bug-prevents-registry-backup-creation/

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/27932/windows-10-send-us-feedback

https://insider.windows.com/en-us/how-to-feedback/

_{Thursday, February 7, 2019 8:39 PM | 1 vote}

Windows 10 since at least 1803 no longer makes backup copies of the Registry hives and places them in C:\windows\system32\config\regback. That is why the files you found are empty.

You can do what you ask manually but there are numerous free programs which automate the backup and restore of the hive files. There are also plenty of articles describing the process and recommending such programs, for example:

https://www.raymond.cc/blog/backup-restore-whole-windows-registry-selected-hives/

_{Thursday, February 7, 2019 10:23 PM}

Thanks. I'll look into this. SOOOO if the regback folder no longer is the solution to a corrupt file in the config directory - how does MS suggest you easily fix them. I've had to use the regback a number of times in the past and it has saved a number of client's bacon.

_{Monday, February 11, 2019 2:02 AM}

Hi,

Just checking in to see if the information provided was helpful. Please let us know if you would like further assistance.

Best Regards,

Otto Wang

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_{Wednesday, February 13, 2019 2:03 AM}

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