Registry vs. .ini

[Kp]

I just use regedit.  With HKCU (or any other part of the hive(s)) selected, go to File->Export, and you'll generate a fine text-format file containing the registry data for that branch and all sub-branches.

Sure, but can that be re-imported later?  I only want it for merging changes after a system crash, preferably without needing a custom backup program.

[iago]

It'll generate a .reg file, which you can double-click to re-insert.

[Skywing]

You lose security, last write, and some other information with that method that makes in undesireable -- using RegSaveKey is a much better option and there's a builtin tool for it.