Three Backup Steps for Windows 11 Service

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If you are working on a Windows 10/11 machine and there are just three steps you can take to ensure the most critical is backed up before service or during service once a working boot status is achieved.

See also BitLocker as you may need to make a backup of security keys prior to these 3 steps below.

Back Up Registry

Open Command Prompt as Admin: Win + R, type cmd, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter, click Yes.

reg export HKLM D:\RegistryBackup\HKLM.reg 

replace D: with USB drive letter, create RegistryBackup folder first).

Repeat for other hives: reg export HKCU D:\RegistryBackup\HKCU.reg, reg export HKCR D:\RegistryBackup\HKCR.reg.

Create System Image Backup

  1. Connect USB drive (NTFS formatted, sufficient space).
  2. Open Control Panel: Press Win + R, type "control" and press Enter.
  3. Navigate: System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7) > Create a system image (left sidebar).
  4. Select USB drive, click Next, confirm drives (C: default), click Start backup.

Export User Account Credentials

Open Command Prompt as Admin.

net user > D:\UserAccounts.txt to list accounts and details.

Manually note PIN/password, save to USB in a secure text file.