Need to restore your Windows registry and unsure where to start? Received a .REG file with settings, and now you’re wondering how to import it safely to your machine? Find out here how to import a registry (REG) file or restore a Windows registry backup ⤓.
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How to Import a Registry (REG) File and Restore a Backup
Time needed: 5 minutes
To restore Windows registry backups using Registry Editor on Windows:
- Open Registry Editor.
- Select File | Import… from the menu.
- Now select the .REG file you want to import.
Only REG: To see only .REG files, select Registration Files (*.reg) as the file type under File name: in the Import Registry File dialog.
- Click Open.
Important: The data from the selected .REG file will be imported without further questions or a preview of what changes will be made; existing entries will be overwritten.
Preview registry changes: To see what values will be added or updated, you can open the .REG file in Notepad before importing: click on the .REG file with the right mouse button and select Edit from the context menu that appears.
Their word: Microsoft includes information on registry backups in Windows documentation.
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Open REG Files in Notepad
To open a REG registry file in Notepad so you can check what it contains:
- Open the folder that contains the REG file you want to examine in Windows Explorer.
Windows keyboard shortcut: You can press Windows E to open Explorer. - Click on the REG file with the right mouse button.
- Select Show more options from the context menu if available.
- Now select Edit.
The file will have the following format:
[Registry key]
"Registry value name"=registry value dataThe registry value data can include the data type (e.g., dword:).
Import and Merge a Registry (REG) File in Windows
To quickly import Windows registry settings saved as REG without opening Registry Editor separately:
- Click on the .REG file you want to import with the right mouse button.
- Select Merge from the context menu that has appeared.
- Select Yes if User Account Control asks Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?.
- Now click Yes for the Registry Editor question Do you want to continue?.
Important: This will add and overwrite all entries found in the .reg file without further questions or preview. - Click OK.
(Tested with Windows 11 Version 22H2–25H2 and Windows 10 Version 2004; first published June 2018, last updated May 2026)