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

Comment from Frank D on 2009-11-24

2009-11-25T01:40:04Z

I'm not a religious person, nor do I favor any religion (or non-religion) over any other -- BUT, it seems to me that pushing or recommending that a "Windows" person switch over to a "Mac" is a lot like pushing/recommending a Religion-A person to change his/her religion over to Religion-B, or vice versa. My rationale: they're both *religions* and in practical terms they both seem to do what's expected of them equally well (after all, look at the numerous happy believers on both sides). They both have advantages and disadvantages, strong points and weak points. And I've always seen sense in the maxim, "You can't reason a person out of something he/she hasn't been reasoned into." To a large extent the Windows/Mac divide is just a matter of "religious" upbringing. So please, let's not put down the other's "religion?" Thanks!

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Comment from Charles Tilley on 2009-11-10

2009-11-11T04:01:46Z

I agree with Kenneth Black. Why fix what isn't broken? I'll ride XP Pro until the wheels fall off.

And to be totally clear: that's a perfectly reasonable approach. There's no requirement to upgrade.

13-Nov-2009

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Comment from Geekomatic on 2009-11-05

2009-11-05T12:53:02Z

For Bob Seeley-

Use Belarc advisor to create a list of installed hardware, software, and product keys/serials, prior to your upgrade.
It's free...
Geekomatic

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Comment from Ken Crook on 2009-10-31

2009-11-01T05:13:44Z

"Switch to a Mac...you'll never go through this garbage again"

Wait a minute!

Hasn't Mac scrapped their OS 3 times and processor once.

At least with Windows, programs that ran on previous computers will still run an a new computer.

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Comment from Hal Ross on 2009-10-29

2009-10-29T13:42:34Z

My friend, Paul, has 11,000 pictures organized carefully in 250 folders in Picasa. When he upgrades to Windows 7 from XP, his backed up pictures will be restored from his external drive or from Carbonite which he just started. My fear for him is that the folder organization within Picasa will lost. Picasa will merely organize the pictures the best it can and his months of careful organization will be lost. Any ideas how to avoid this?

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Comment from Renato Morbach on 2009-10-27

2009-10-28T02:24:54Z

The simpler method is having a partition with the OS and programs, and all data in a different partition or even a second hard drive. You can re-install OS, install a new OS and nothing is goping to happen to your data.

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Comment from Kenneth Black on 2009-10-27

2009-10-28T00:27:08Z

Why can't I just keep using XP? It works fine

You can.

28-Oct-2009

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Comment from steven richards on 2009-10-27

2009-10-27T23:46:18Z

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

Posted by: Billie at October 27, 2009 8:37 AM
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Macs change OS's, too. A lot of your data will be unreadable by the mac, too.

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Comment from Nicholas Gimbrone on 2009-10-27

2009-10-27T21:47:03Z

ThinkVantage System Migration Assistant v6 supports both XP and Windows 7 and does a quick & easy move of data between levels of Windows (as well as serving as a sort of "poor man's backup" for documents).

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Comment from Bob on 2009-10-27

2009-10-27T19:07:31Z

Forget Windows 7 altogether and dual boot Ubuntu and live happily ever after.

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Comment from Bob Seeley on 2009-10-27

2009-10-27T18:43:08Z

Making backups and/or saving data to a seperate partitions are a good idea, but some of that data will do one no good if they can't recall what program created it. Many of us have programs that we don't even remember until we need them. Therefore, might I suggest that folks make a list of their programs for later reference before they do the Windows 7 clean install.

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Comment from Hew Helps on 2009-10-27

2009-10-27T18:06:35Z

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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Comment from Bernard Winchester on 2009-10-27

2009-10-27T16:24:01Z

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.

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Comment from Roger on 2009-10-27

2009-10-27T16:08:20Z

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

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Comment from Gord Campbell on 2009-10-27

2009-10-27T15:40:43Z

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

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Comment from Billie on 2009-10-27

2009-10-27T15:37:50Z

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

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Comment from Gord Campbell on 2009-10-27

2009-10-27T15:37:41Z

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."

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Comment from Tom Clark on 2009-10-27

2009-10-27T15:31:44Z

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.

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Comment from Chris Awad on 2009-10-26

2009-10-27T06:03:38Z

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

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Comment from Mark on 2009-10-25

2009-10-25T11:33:58Z

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

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Comment from Mike on 2009-10-25

2009-10-25T07:33:53Z

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.

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A comment on: How do I transfer my data if I do a clean install of Windows 7?

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