Going to Reformat Computer, Best/Favorite Ways To Backup?

Going to format my Windows 7 computer, and install windows 7 again.

What is the best/your favorite way to back up all files etc in the most easy/organized way?

Also somehow having a list of all programs etc I had installed would be nice (I assume I can just printscreen my Program Files folder(s) and be fine with that).

Also what about saved passwords, etc (I have Chrome/Chrome Sync so I think I'll be just fine automatically with that).



Backing Up:
Entire Desktop
My Documents/Pictures/Music/Videos etc Folders
SteamApps Folder (so I don't have to Re-Download my games)
Chrome/Firefox Passwords/Bookmarks/History Etc.
Anything I'm overlooking/forgetting?

You've backed up any music/video/important files too, I assume?
Other than that, reformatting is fun, at least I think so. You could also try to remember settings for programs, i.e. the passwords in your chrome browser you mentioned, certain java setups, desktop gadget preferences, windows notification/update/etc settings, just the little stuff that'll probably just come second hand and you won't have to worry about it.

Good luck! :)

I also agree, reformatting in a ton of fun!
It's just very scary/crucial that you remember to back everything up :/, besides that I love the fresh feeling!
Thanks.

Quick note, any software that you've downloaded make sure you are able to re install without the serial codes allows that.

Secondly just go through my programs on the windows option and jot down all the programs you'll need to download again

Partition your HDD. :)

~Home

^No need really? Just planning to have 1 OS.

Have the OS on one partition and all your media on the other. No need to back it up next time. ;)

I suppose you can partition and format part of the disk, then transfer all personal files directly from ur current partition to the formatted partition, then proceed to format ur current partition, then finally merging them. You won't need any backup/storage device this way.

Yeah, like Niels said, it's very simple :)

I use Partition and DropBox.

~Home

OoO!
Can someone explain/give a guide on how to do the: Make a 2nd partition, Install OS, Transfer Files From First Partition, Delete First Partition, method?!

I just want to make sure I'm doing it all right/not missing any steps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by YoHoJo

OoO!
Can someone explain/give a guide on how to do the: Make a 2nd partition, Install OS, Transfer Files From First Partition, Delete First Partition, method?!

I just want to make sure I'm doing it all right/not missing any steps.

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Get a linux live CD. I'd recommend Ubuntu because it's really easy to find.
Boot from the live cd(can be a thumb drive too) and choose to install the OS. It will let you partiiton the HDD before installing.
After the installation is done boot into linux and go through teh other partition and move all needed files.
After that's done use gparted to format the windows drive.
Then install windows like usual, and use the linux to move files back, then format the linux partition.(I'd keep it personally)

I think you can do it all without actually installing linux, by just booting it from the live cd, but I have never tried that before.

Should work in theory, the only possible problem might be windows trying to format the whole HDD before installation.

Why is Ubuntu/Linix needed for this ???
(I see you said you can do without it :p, I'll try that)
Sounds like an extra step/hassle :p.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by YoHoJo

Why is Ubuntu/Linix needed for this ???
(I see you said you can do without it :p, I'll try that)
Sounds like an extra step/hassle :p.

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You need some OS to be able to move the files and do all the other stuff. You can't partition an hard drive without unmounting it, so you need to run an OS from some other location. That's why a live cd is needed. You can do all the work through the live cd, but not install it. I just don't know whether windows will try to occupy the whole hard drive if an OS isn't installed in the partition with the back ups.

On the other hand, you could just use an external HDD to back up your stuff and do a clean install.

please note: everything that people have said above (and what i will elaborate on below) has only worked for me when running a linux OS. i have not been able to access other partitions' data while on win7 (i think this is because i dont use NTFS/FAT32 formats). :/ if this is the case for you, i would recommend u just move everything onto an external HD.


ubuntu comes with the program gparted (an amazing partition editor). i would recommend either getting a live cd (or flashdrive) of either ubuntu or gparted. once you can access this program, all you have to do is resize your current OS partition (make it smaller so you can fit in another partition). then you should have free space - add a new partition in that free space. make that partition some type of format (possibly a fat32 or NTFS). once this partition was created - go back into your win7. go to start button - right click computer - Manage - disk management. now find your newly created partition and give it a drive letter/label. once you have saved these settings. hopefully u should be able to access that partition via the explorer anytime you want.

Oh, so you can't normally/under most circumstances access one Windows 7 partition etc from a different partition ? :/ Poo

Quote:

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Originally Posted by YoHoJo

Oh, so you can't normally/under most circumstances access one Windows 7 partition etc from a different partition ? :/ Poo

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in my experiences, i can not access a linux OS's docs via win7. but i can access a win7 OS's docs via linux. i know u can access a winVista's docs via win7 though. so if you format the partition with NTFS/FAT32 (the type that windows runs) it should work.

EDIT: i just remember i did this like 3 years ago with a friend on his comp. he ran Vista and his storage partition was in Fat32, it worked perfectly. (just txted him and he confirms that he still uses Fat32 for his storage, and it works)

No it does work on Windows 7. Difference is that the partition order counts. If the new partition is to the left, it cannot be merged and gparted has to be used else you simply right click it and press merge in Windows Management.

:'( You guys are making things complicated again!
I guess I'll just backup to external and reformat the HD, and install Win7 then.

Except wait...
I really really like the idea of leaving original partition alone, making a new one, installing Win7 on it, and THEN moving things over!
^How Do?!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by YoHoJo

:'( You guys are making things complicated again!
I guess I'll just backup to external and reformat the HD, and install Win7 then.

Except wait...
I really really like the idea of leaving original partition alone, making a new one, installing Win7 on it, and THEN moving things over!
^How Do?!

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you cant "leave it alone". you have to shrink it to add more space for your new partition. right now your current partition takes up 100% of the HDD. if you wish to add more, you gotta shrink it.

if you (once again use GParted) shrink your current OS, then you can just run the win7 installation cd, and install it into the free space (this probably wont be the default option, so dont accidentally click the "install over all partitions" or w/e option they give u). then u will have 2 win7s side by side, and u can copy n paste stuff in.

I put my OS on a solid state (32gig), and put all my software etc. on my regular drive 2000gig

Booting is almost instant (18 seconds without antivirus, 27 with)
Anyway it is solid and possibly the easiest way and the safest way to do it.

Current partition is NTFS.
Should I make new partition NTFS also just to 'be safe'?

Yeah I understand, I need to shrink it, and make a new partition, and install the OS onto the new partition.

And after that I can go onto 2nd Partition Windows 7, and access files on the first partition?

lol my computer is bad it overheats sometimes lo0

Quote:

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Originally Posted by YoHoJo

Current partition is NTFS.
Should I make new partition NTFS also just to 'be safe'?

Yeah I understand, I need to shrink it, and make a new partition, and install the OS onto the new partition.

And after that I can go onto 2nd Partition Windows 7, and access files on the first partition?

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Yes make it NTFS, and it will work like another harddrive so basically you won't notice.

I just reinstall windows the it starts with that version, and youll have two windows in your C drIve windows and windOws.old the boom jut opy and paste as desired.

I personally have an External HDD and a 32GB memory stick, so I just stick things on there, which is easy. So I reformat like one a month for housekeeping. >.<