Memperbaiki Error Cannot import file, The specified file is not a registry script

Some users fail to import registry files. When they try to do so, an error message appears saying Cannot import file: The specified file is not a registry script. In this article, I will provide some repair methods that you can use to fix problems importing your registry.

Here is the full error message you can see due to this error.

Cannot import C:path\file_name.reg: The specified file is not a registry script. You can only import binary registry files from within the registry editor.

What is a .reg File?

.reg files or Registration Entries are used to change your computer’s settings. They are used in the Registry Editor to do what the Settings app can do and much more. When you download the registry or make registry backup, it will be saved in .reg format. And here is the syntax of the .REG file.

RegistryEditorVersion

Blank line

[RegistryPath1]

“DataItemName1“=”DataType1:DataValue1”

“DataItemName2“=”DataType2:DataValue2”

Blank line

[RegistryPath2]

“DataItemName3“=”DataType3:DataValue3”

In this syntax, RegistryEditorVersion specifies the version of the Registry Editor. For Windows 10 and Windows 11, the version is Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00. If the registry file you are trying to import has a different format, then you will see the error message in question.

Memperbaiki Error Cannot import file, The specified file is not a registry script

If you can’t import the registry and see the error message Cannot import file, The specified file is not a registry script, then you can try the following solutions.

1. Check Registry File Formatting

Let’s first check the Registry File format. First, open the file you are trying to import using Notepad. For that, you can right click on the file and select Open with – Notepad (or Notepad++). Once the file is launched, check if there are any blank lines before the Registry version. If there is such a line, then delete it from there and save the file using Ctrl + S. Finally, try importing the file and it will work for you.

2. Coba Import File Registry di Clean Boot

Let’s try importing the Registry File in Clean Boot. This is a mode where all services except the OS service will be stopped to ensure there is no interference from any third party applications. So, boot your PC in Clean Boot and then try to import the files. Hopefully, your problem will be resolved by then. If you want to know which app is the culprit, manually enable the process and then find the culprit. If the app is not important, then you can uninstall it and your problem will be solved.

3. Run SFC and DISM

sfc /scannow

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:\RepairSource\Windows /LimitAccess

That’s it for this tutorial. Hopefully this is useful and helps you in fixing the Cannot import file error, The specified file is not a registry script on your Windows 10 or Windows 11. Don’t forget to leave your comments below to share your thoughts and experiences in following this tutorial. Thank you and GBU. UNITE AGAINST COVID-19!!