Windows 7: User Accounts and Program Files Issue

Hello,

Recentlly I had to wipe my computer. Before doing so I backed up "Program Files", "Program Files (x86)" and "Users" (as well as other files but this is what relates) Upon restore of my computer I merged Users back into C:\Users and both Program File folders into C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86).

I restarted the computer stupidly thinking my user accounts with all of thier pictures and such as well as all of my programs would show up. They did not. The user accounts are just sitting in my Users folder and do not show up on the Login Screen. As for the Program files, when I search for them they show up because of course they are there but "they arnt" If I use the Start Menu and go to All Programs none of them show up and the run commands to start some of them are not showing up either.

Please help!
Thanks!

Hi Jyoerger, welcome to the Seven Forums.

You can't transfer installed software and programs simply by copying the Program Files folders. Sorry. You need to reinstall every program again after reinstalling Windows.

Same with user accounts. You need to recreate every user account. There is a method to transfer user account as they are using a program called Windows Easy Transfer (WET). Using WET, you simply tell it on old computer / old installation which user accounts and files to backup, and then again using WET you transfer them to new computer / new installation.

In your case you have really messed up your new installation. The best thing for you to do now is to wipe PC again, to install Windows 7 again from scratch. Then you need to reinstall all your programs, recreate all user accounts and finally copy user files and folders from your backup to new user accounts. Because you already reinstalled, you can no longer use WET to transfer user accounts.

Kari

Ok.
That is unfortunate.
Thanks for your help!

Additional Information:
What I ended up doing is:
I used the install wizards inside each Program File. To "Fix/Repair" or Reinstall the Programs within themselves which worked for most. Additionally, I recreated the user accounts via the Control Pannel and then just merged the accounts. Rather then another install of windows.