3 Ways to Quickly Fix Registry Editor’s Cannot Import Error

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by Vladimir Popescu 

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Key notes

  • The Registry Editor is an essential Windows tool that allows users to view the Windows registry and make changes.
  • Just like any system function, you're bound to run into errors when using it to make changes on your computer.
  • One of the most common errors is the failure to import, and this is caused by a lot of issues like corrupted software and malware

The Registry Editor is a powerful tool that allows you to make changes to your Windows registry. You can use it to add, remove, or change registry keys and values.

However, if you try to import a .reg file that contains invalid data, you may receive an error message. Luckily, there are a few ways you can fix this problem, and this is what I’ll be tackling today.

What causes registry errors?

There are three leading causes of Registry Editor’s cannot import error.

  • Over time, as you install and uninstall programs, your registry can become cluttered with old entries and broken settings. This can lead to stability and performance problems on your PC.
  • Bad drivers or other software can corrupt the registry and cause these errors.
  • Viruses or other malware can also cause this error.

How to fix cannot import error in Registry Editor

1. Use the Windows Registry Editor

  1. Press Windows + R and type Regedit in the Search box.registry editor error cannot import
  2. Press Enter. The Registry Editor will now open.
  3. In the Registry Editor, go to File, then select Import.
  4. Browse to the location of the.REG file that you want to import. Select the file and click Open, then choose Yes when prompted.
  5. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

2. Use a different.REG file

If you are still getting the Cannot Import Error in Registry Editor, try using a different one.REG file. Ensure that the file is from a trusted source and compatible with your current version of Windows.

3. Use the Command Prompt

  1. Click Start, type cmd in the Search box, and press Enter.registry editor error cannot import
  2. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter: reg import filename.reg
  3. Replace filename.reg with the name of the .REG file that you want to import.
  4. Close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

Remember, you need to have new .REG file ready for these methods to work. You can download them from the Windows Registry files pages.

These are three ways to fix the Cannot Import Error in Registry Editor. If you are still having issues, then get in touch with Microsoft. For more Registry Editor error messages, check out our website.

More about the topics: windows registry

Vladimir Popescu

Vladimir Popescu Shield

Being an artist his entire life while also playing handball at a professional level, Vladimir has also developed a passion for all things computer-related. With an innate fascination for research and analysis, and realizing many other people share his passion for this subject, he delved into writing Windows-related articles, so other people can also benefit from the acquired information. When not writing kick-ass articles, Vladimir likes to spend his time doing Crossfit and creating art.