Restoring User folder after HD replacement

I have just gotten my computer back after a hard disk replacement. I've gone thru and reinstalled various programs and I've restored my user folder from my backup. I've done all this under an Administrator login.

My question is what is the best way to recreate my user login and move/share all my restored data with this default folder? Is it as simple as just creating the user and then moving the individual folders from my restored folder (i.e., AppData, documents, favorites, etc.)? Should I not move it but share it? Or should I simply move the documents, pictures and music and recreate everything that would normally be in AppData since this is a clean install?

The AppData folder is really where I am stuck and I'm not sure that having all my settings for things like Skype, iTunes, chat histories restored is as simple as just copying this folder over.

Thank you in advance for your help on this. Hope it's not too basic a question!

Thanks, Rich. I don't think this is going to work this time since I don't have an 'old computer' to save from. I have my user folder that I pulled from my most recent windows backup but it is sitting on my new hard drive. The easy transfer process seems to want me to have two computers that I am moving data between and to have saved the data on the old computer using the Easy Transfer utility.

I think I may have to do this manually as I am guessing that creating a new user and then copying my AppData folder into the new user directory is not the way to go. Just need to figure out best way to move itunes but that's an Apple and not a Windows 7 issue.

Thanks again.

Rich,

Thanks again. I ended up moving things a bit manually and leaving the AppData stuff alone. I'll know over the next few days if I'm missing anything critical.

Lisa

Hi Lisa -

You're smart not to reimport AppData as it may contain corrupt settings. This way you can truly start fresh.

I always drag and drop User folder(s) to/from external so i have precise control over what is backed up and where it is replaced.

You could leave the reimported User folders in place and link to them using the same method by which many move them to another partition or HD to make room on the OS/Programs partition: User Folders - Change Default Location

Sounds like it's done now so hopefully this will be useful in the future. However if you save a Win7 backup image of your completed setup you'll never have to reinstall again: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup