When I have to (re)install VFP (eg. on a new machine) I often get frustrated at having to reset all the settings which are stored in the registry, especially those listed under the Tools-Options (eg. field mapping classes). To this end I export all registry entries under [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\VisualFoxPro\8.0] to a file I call VFP8Settings.reg, which I can easily merge back into the registry if required.

* Are there any downsides to the above method? I am usually wary of doing anything to the registry, but this method saves a lot of time when re-installing VFP.

* Are there any other methods of storing/restoring this information?

* I have also noticed an identical (as far as I can see) set of registry entries under
[HKEY_USERS\S-(loads of digits and dashes)\Software\Microsoft\VisualFoxPro\8.0]. Can I ignore this or do I have to back this up also?

* Does anyone know of any tool out there which can create my .reg file automatically, or do I have to do it manually?


Any help would be appreciated.

Alan