If you do a clean reinstall of Windows, immediately create a backup HDD image.
Once you have reinstalled your programs, create another backup HDD image.
Create your images before you start surfing the Internet or playing online games.
Does the backup work if I plan on changing from a 32-bit to 64-bit? I'm asking because if backup and restore also backs up applications can they be restored on a 64-bit clean install or only on x86?
Computer type PC/Desktop OS Windows 7 Ultimate x86 SP1 CPU AMD Phenom II X4 955BE 3.7Ghz Motherboard BIOSTAR A880G+ Memory 4GB DDR3 1333Mhz Graphics Card GTX 560 Monitor(s) Displays ASUS VE228H Screen Resolution 1920x1080
You could restore a 32-bit image on a 64-bit computer, but your Windows 7 would still only be 32-bit. Just for FYI, you will not be able to restore a 64-bit image on a 32-bit computer though.
If you want to use 64-bit Windows, then you would have to do a clean install using 64-bit Windows 7 installation media instead.