Windows Registry RegBack Folder (C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack)

Bottom Line: It is 100% safe to delete files inside RegBack. Deleting backup registry hive files will NOT corrupt your active Windows Registry (SYSTEM, SOFTWARE, SAM).

What is the RegBack Folder?

Located at C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack, this directory was historically used by Windows to store automatic idle backups of the Windows Registry.

In Windows 10 (version 1803 and newer) and Windows 11, Microsoft disabled automatic RegBack registry backups by default to reduce disk footprint. In modern Windows versions, the RegBack folder is often 0 bytes or holds outdated 0-byte placeholder files.

If you previously enabled automatic RegBack registry backups via the Windows Registry, historical hive backup files (SYSTEM, SOFTWARE, DEFAULT) will be saved here.

Can You Delete RegBack Files?

✅ Yes, it is safe to clear.

• Active Registry is untouched: Your live, running Windows Registry lives in C:\Windows\System32\config (outside RegBack).
• Best practice: Creating a modern System Restore point is recommended before clearing old registry backup folders.

How to Safely Clean Up RegBack Folder

Method 1: Delete via Command Prompt (Admin)

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run the command to delete RegBack files:

   del /f /q %WinDir%\System32\config\RegBack\*

Related Guides

• Learn about deleting System Restore Shadow Copies.
• How to clean up Catroot2 folder.
• Check if you can clean System32 folder.