File Extension Library


.HIV File Extension

  • Developer by: Microsoft
  • Category: System Files

What are .HIV files and how to open them?

Can't open .HIV file? Are you wondering what it contains? On our site we will explain to you what this file is, what it is used for and what software opens the .HIV file.

What is a .HIV file extension?

.HIV file extension is created by Microsoft. .HIV has been classified as System Files.

.HIV is Windows Registry Hive File

Registry file created by reg.exe, a Windows program used for saving, loading, and deleting registry information; contains a registry "hive," which saves key-value data used by the operating system and installed programs; used for backups or for loading groups of registry keys; saved in a binary format.

You can save and registry hives using reg.exe by typing the following at the command prompt (taken directly from the reg.exe command line help):

REG SAVE HKLM\Software\MyCo\MyApp AppBkUp.hiv

You can load registry hives using this command (again taken directly from the reg.exe command line help):

REG LOAD HKLM\TempHive TempHive.hiv

Type REG /? at the Windows command prompt for further help with reg.exe commands. The program is located in the C:\Windows\System32\ directory, but it can be run from any directory in the Windows command prompt.

NOTE: Be careful when saving and loading registry information, since corruption of the Windows registry can cause applications or the whole system to malfunction. The file setupreg.hiv included on Windows installation discs should not be edited manually, since it is used by the Windows installer.

How to fix problems with .HIV files

  1. You need to update the application that you normally use to open .HIV files. Only the latest version of the software supports the current .HIV file format
  2. You need to check the .HIV file for viruses. To do this, you need to scan it with a popular antivirus (Norton, Nod32, Kaspersky, Dr.Web, etc.)