Whenever we search for Windows how-to’s, many of them suggest editing, removing, or adding new registry entries to the system. Computer geeks always try new things, and changing Windows Registry is one of them. Today, I will show you how to Add or Remove a Registry Key from Favorites and Merge or Export Registry Favorites.
Windows systems have relied on registry files since the release of Windows 3.11. The registry or Windows registry is a database of information, settings, and other values related to software and hardware installed on the system. When you install a new program, the installation creates a new Subkey in the registry. This subkey is very specific to that program, containing information like its location, version, and primary executable.
If you frequently edit some registry keys, then accessing them will be easier if you add them as Favorites. In this post, we will take a look at the following topics:
- Add a Registry Key to Favorites
- Export Registry Favorites
- Merge Registry Favorites
- Remove a Registry Key from Favorites
Add a Registry Key to Favorites in Registry Editor in Windows 11/10
Press Win + R keys. In the Run window, type regedit and hit Enter.
Now, search for the registry you want to mark as favorite.
Select the registry from the registry tree and click on Favorites on the menu bar. Now click on Add to Favorites.
Enter the name you wish to have for your favorite registry and click on OK.
Now, to check if the registry is marked as a favorite, click on Favorites again. Your recently added registry will be present in the list.
Read: How to switch between HKLM and HKCU quickly in Registry Editor
Export Registry Favorites from Registry Editor
You can export your list of favorite registries to any location you wish. This step is helpful because when the computer is formatted, or a clean installation is done, the system doesn’t retain the favorite registries. If you like to keep the changes you made to any of the registries, then exporting and saving somewhere safe is the best option for you.
Press Win + R keys. In the Run window, type regedit and hit enter.
Now navigate to the following registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Regedit\Favorites
It will contain every registry you have ever marked as a favorite.
In the registry tree section, right-click on Favorites and then click on Export.
Choose a location where you want to store all your favorite registry keys. Enter the name and click on Save. Do not change the branch path.
Place the saved file on any external drive or cloud storage for future use.
Read: Windows Registry Editor Tutorial, Tips & Features
Merge Registry Favorites in Windows 11/10
Let’s assume that you successfully exported the registries to a safer place, and your system crashed, unfortunately. So, after a new installation, do you want to merge the exported favorite registries? In this method, I will show you how to merge them.
Navigate to the folder where you saved it last. If it is on the external drive, then connect it and open the folder where you saved it.
Right-click on the registry file and click on Merge, or just double-click on the file. If you get the prompt by User Account Control (UAC) then click on OK.
Now, you will receive two prompts. In the first one, click on Yes and in the second one click on OK.
Now, all the registries you edited and marked as favorites are back on your system. To ensure the registries are working as you wish, restart your system once.
Read: How to monitor and track Registry changes in Windows
Remove a Registry Key from Favorites in Registry Editor
Now, if you want to remove any registry from the favorites, then you can remove it very easily.
Press Win + R keys. In the Run window, type regedit and hit enter.
Go to the Menu bar and click on Favorites. Now click on Remove Favorite.
In the Remove Favorites dialog box, select the registry you wish to remove and click on OK.
To check if it is removed successfully or not, click on Favorites again and look for the registry you just removed.
Thus, using these methods, you can simply add and remove your favorite registries.
I hope this helps.
Read: How to edit Registry for another User in Windows.
Where are the Registry Favorites stored?
Registry favorites in Windows are stored within the system’s registry itself at the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Regedit\Favorites. This location allows for easy access and management of your frequently used registry keys.
