Difference between “reg save” and “reg export”?

Question

Using the Windows cmd command reg:

reg save

Saves a copy of specified subkeys, entries, and values of the registry in a specified file.

reg export

Creates a copy of specified subkeys, entries, and values into a file so that it can be transferred to other servers.

What's the difference between them, except the file being generated as .hiv or .reg?

Answer 1

The generated file is the difference.

save saves the branch into the Registry's native "hive" format. This preserves key ownership and ACLs, so is best suited for backups and restoring on the same machine.

export exports it into a textual format, suitable for distribution since the .reg format does not preserve any metadata.