Windows 7: backup data before win 7 clean install?

hello,



when Windows 7 comes out retail I want to install it. do not want to have to manually install every program n file currently on my vista 64 bit system. what is a good way to save my current setup so I can just reinstall it to the new Windows 7 system? I have an external HD 500gb I can use. searched the files here for information perhaps i am not using the correct search terms n phrases.

I know before I back up current vista I need to purge it n slim down the files n programs lol.

Thanks as always,

Msongs
Riverside CA

it won't work. Clean install means you have to reinstall most of your programs from scratch (unless they are portable). However, you can use the easy transfer wizard to make it a bit easier (not by much).

The only semi-reliable way to keep program files, registry settings, etc intact is to do an upgrade.

And even that is not recommended ... beat the rush, start backing up your data now... do a clean install..

Some people around here swear up and down that upgrade is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I'm not one of them, but to each their own I guess.

Maybe they just dont have the experience to know any better, or they are just too lazy... either way I always do a clean install...

Im only going to say this once more (at least in this post) Clean Install will save you more time and effort than re-installing the apps, and settings

Microsoft recommends it most of us do as well


Ken

pretty much already know how to save all the data files. good opportunity to purge n dump stuff lol

n maybe decide what programs i really need n can live without.

Msongs

Msongs

de nada

+1 on the clean install, it's ten minutes to reinstall Win 7.. Upgrades take too long and just aren't worth the hassle. I also don't trust images or system restore.