Cannot import Registry File, Not all Data was successfully written to the Registry

Windows Registry allows any user to take backup and restore registry files. While the process should be smooth, restoring can increase complications. One of the common errors that show up while restoring the registry is—

Cannot import reg file: Not all data has been successfully written to the registry. Some keys are open by the system or other processes, or you do not have insufficient privileges to perform this operation. Error accessing the registry.

Cannot import Registry File, Not all Data was successfully written to the Registry

The error is not surprising. When restoring the complete registry backup because there are many keys for which we won’t have permissions. It’s merely impossible to give permission to the entire registry entries because they might cause the system not to boot. Most of the third-party application keys and some of the system keys can be restored, but not all. So follow the methods below to achieve it.

1. Sign in and administrator and try
2. Boot into Safe Mode and try
3. Take full control of Registry Keys
4. Use ReqOwnIt
5. Use Registrar Registry Manager.

Let us look at them in detail.

1] Sign in and administrator and try

Sign in to Windows as an administrator and try and see if that helps.

2] Boot Windows in Safe mode and see if that works for you.

Boot Windows in Safe mode and then try to merge the registry files. See if that works for you.

3] Take full control of Registry Keys

This can be because of permission issues. We have written a full guide on how you can take full control of Windows Registry keys and then restore the backed up registry files. Like folders and files, Registry keys have permissions. The method involves accessing Registry and then changing permission for each, and subkeys to another user.

However, before you open the Registry Editor as admin, first backup your Windows registry and create a system restore point.

The process involves technical details, and hence may not be suitable for beginners. Look at the next method if that’s the case.

Read: Windows was unable to load the registry.

4] Use RegOwnIt

Our in-house software allows you to take ownership of a Registry key using Administrator, home users, or the current Logged On User account.

It will list down the four Registry databases, i.e.,

• HKEY Classes Root,
• HKEY Current User,
• HKEY local Machine, and
• HKEY Users.

Select each of them, and then select user, and then Full Control permission.

5] Use Registrar Registry Manager

Use Registrar Registry Manager to import the Registry file. It will likely work.

All the best.