Registry Optimization in Windows XP and Vista
 If your PC has slowed to crawl and you want to return it to it's former glory, you can go into the system and edit the registry (accessing it via "regedit" in the command line).
However, as Vista is more complicated than XP, the registry is more complex as well. So registry optimization methods in Windows XP and Vista are not quite same.
How to edit registry key (regkey) in Windows XP and Vista?
| For Windows XP |
For Windows Vista |
| 1. In Windows XP, from Start, and then click on Run. |
1. From Start, then type “regedit“. |
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| 2. Type “regedit“, then click on OK. |
2. Click on “regedit” on the search result to open the registry editor in Windows Vista. |
3. Now it opens the Registry Editor.
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Step 3 & 4 are the same as Windows XP (see left). |
| 4. You can easily navigate through the subkey if you know what you are looking for. Or, you can press “Ctrl + F” to locate the subkey that contains the value you want to edit. (F3 to Find Next) |
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How to export system registry in Windows XP and Vista?
Anytime you edit your registry, you should backup your old working registry first. Registry errors can be difficult to fix so knowing how to backup and restore is key (See: How to
repair Windows Vista registry).
Windows Vista Users
1. Click on the Windows button 
2. In the "Start Search" box, type in "regedit" then press enter on your keyboard 
3. Once the Registry Editor opens, click on "Computer" at the top of the Registry list (on the upper left side of the Registry window.)

4. Click on "File" then choose "Export"

5. In the "Export Registry File" window, click on the "Desktop" button. In the "File name" field type "BackUp [Date]" then click on the "Save" button

6. Close the Registry Editor window by selecting "File" and choosing "Exit"
Anytime you edit your registry, you should backup your old working registry first. Registry errors can be difficult to fix so knowing how to backup and restore is key (See: How to
repair Windows XP registry).
Windows XP Users
1. Click on then select 
2. In the "open" path, type in: "regedit" then click on "OK".
The Windows System Registry window will open.

3. Click on "My Computer" at the top of the Registry list (on the upper left side of the Registry window.) Now click on "File" then choose "Export".

4. In the "Save As" window click on the "Desktop" button. Type in the "Name" field: BackUp [Date] then click on the "Save" button.

5. This will place a copy of your Windows System Registry on your Windows Desktop so that it may be easily accessed, should you need to import your old registry at a later date. If, after a few days, you do not experience any problems you may choose to delete this file.

6. Close the Registry Editor window by selecting "File" and choosing "Exit"
How to import system registry in Windows XP and Vista?
Anytime you edit your registry, you should backup your old working registry first. Registry errors can be difficult to fix so knowing how to backup and restore is key (See: How to
repair Windows Vista registry).
Windows Vista Users
1. Click on the Windows button 
2. In the "Start Search" box, type in "regedit" then press enter on your keyboard 
3. Once the Registry Editor opens, click on "Computer" at the top of the Registry list (on the upper left side of the Registry window.)

4. Click on "File" then choose "import"

5. In the "Import Registry File" window, click on the "Desktop" button. In the "File name" field type "BackUp [Date]" then click on the "Save" button

6. Close the Registry Editor window by selecting "File" and choosing "Exit"
Anytime you edit your registry, you should backup your old working registry first. Registry errors can be difficult to fix so knowing how to backup and restore is key (See: How to
repair Windows XP registry).
Windows XP Users
1. Click on then select 
2. In the "open" path, type in: "regedit" then click on "OK".
The Windows System Registry window will open.

3. Click on "My Computer" at the top of the Registry list (on the upper left side of the Registry window.) Now click on "File" then choose "Import".

4. In the Open window click on the "Desktop" button, and select the file you created in section 1: BackUp [Date] then click on the "Open" button.

5. The registry import will begin. After this has completed you should see a message stating that the import has been completed. Click on the "OK" button.

6. Close the Registry Editor window by selecting "File" and choosing "Exit"
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