How do I transfer my data if I do a clean install of Windows 7?

I do backup my data, but I believe I have an easier solution: keep your data and OS on seperae partitions. That way if you need to install again you only erase your OS partition and the data remains untouched. When you're done reinstalling everything your data will still sit there on that seperate partition.

I made 2 backups (1 image and 1 manual file copy including the entire documents and settings folder), but after installing win7 it was all still there under windows.old. Don't take this as an excuse not to back-up as anything can happen when installing an OS. Use the not hard to find Easy Transfer migwiz.exe from your win7 DVD to back-up your settings and migration will be much easier.

Yes, windows.old is what's left behind if you elect not to reformat your hard disk at installation time. I prefer to use the OS installation as an opportunity to really clean up and remove everything that I'm no longer using and anything that isn't needed for the new system.

26-Oct-2009

There should definitely be an option for Windows 8 to automatically back up the Users folder during a fresh/clean install. Of course, this would require some outside media as a temp storage space, but it should most definitely be an option.

For now, the windows.old approach does seem to be a huge plus for Windows 7. I find it to be a huge load off of my back to have this method available for people who need a reinstallation, but do not wish to lose any of their data. It saves time and money and automatically backs up everything except for the Windows folder (which should not contain anything more than normal) and the Program Files folder (which even now should could contain nothing but the core of your applications and not their settings, and would require a reinstall anyway during a fresh/clean install).

Please be clear: it is not a backup. All it did was leave files on the hard disk. A backup would copy all files to some other device. I consider it a VERY risk thing to count on for either backups, or for preserving data across an upgrade.

27-Oct-2009

You might also consider a third party solution such as the one Laplink offers. See http://www.laplink.com/help/detail.html?product=PCmover

This transfers applications as well as data. It was recently reviewed by Mossberg in the Wallstreet Journal.

I own NO stock in Laplink, but have had good success with their products since they came out with serial cables to allow two PCs to communicate directly.

For $20 it is worth a try. Do backup and follow the other prudent steps as well. If it works correctly you have saved a lot of reinstall and relicense time.

Here's a different approach: replace your hard drive and install the new OS on the new drive. Then get an adapter to connect your old hard drive via USB, and copy over your data files from it. The biggest advantage: there is no chance you miss a folder in your "full backup."

Switch to a Mac...you'll never go through this garbage again..and you'll never look back.

You also want to export your browser favorites, then import them into the new browser, and the same for email.

New hard disk for new clean installation, old hard disk into usb caddy and all 'data' files etc there to do with as you wish, works very well, having done a number of reinstallations recently (XP)as long as the 'documents/favourites etc ' files are saved, it is a good opportunity to spring clean your system and get rid of those things/programs you downloaded or installed but never really used, I always download things to a downloaded file before installation, so that I keep the installation files just in case, you can then transfer them to a flash drive and install on another machine, usefull if the other machine is not connected to the web

I agree: I would use Achronis Disk Manager to create a new partition for Windows 7 (say 40GB?), install it there, and then when you are satisfied remove all the non-data files from the other partition and edit the boot properties to remove dual-boot. Alternatively, keep the dual boot as a fall-back in case of problems with Windows 7. I have done this successfully with a Vista installation on an XP machine. It would also be prudent to back up all the data externally first.

But if one uses a new hard drive and then installs Win 7 to this, re-installs Office, Office activation will see a different hardware configuration and will not activate?

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