Windows 7: Clean install or File transfer?

Ive been running 7260 Ultimate since it became available. Im expecting HP this week so i need to do a clean install to the same disc/partition.

I had a look at the file transfer wizard but its estimating around 750GB.
I guess this is including files that are on other dirves as well. These dont need to be backed up or moved. I also dont really have any setings i need saved, i can just re do any that i need.

To make things easier i was thinking of just doing a clean install on my C: drive. If i recall the installer will just put all the existing files/folders in a windows.old folder. If so i can then take my time to replace the files i need.
I have around 300GB left on the C: drive so space isnt an issue.

Anyone have any thoughts about doing it this way?

Thanks.

Dave.

I would not rely on windows.old. I would copy all my files to an external disk, either manually ( with Move to Folder... Add Copy To / Move To on Windows 7 or Vista Right-Click Menu :: the How-To Geek ) or with one of the many programs available.

Thanks whs.
Since i posted ive looked more in ot the file transfer app and i can now see it was looking at all my drives.
Ive de selected them and now its down to 28GB. Much better.

The reason i was going to do it using the Windows.old method was i dont really know what folders i need to move other than the users folders.

Dave.

You really only have to take care of your own folders. Since you do a new install, all the system folders will come with the new installation.
A specific problem are mail files/folders if you use windows mail. But since I use AOL where the files are kept upstream, I really don't know much about it. I only saw that some people have questions on that.

As for Live Mail I simply move my emails to a different partition under maintenance (storage). so if I have to CLEAN install or what ever. as soon as I install live mail before I read any emails, I simply change my default storage to the other partition. EMail in Win 7 solved.

I have never used the Easy Transfer Method, but I've read many posts where others say "PIECE OF CAKE".

Windows Easy Transfer works very well.

You will, of coarse, need to install all your programs before doing the WET - to new computer.

Backup all your Browser bookmarks, they don't get included for some reason.

Make a OS partition backup before you start the install, and you can get anything you might need out of there, if your backup app allows that, most do.

Cheers guys.
It does seem that if i just want my user files saved i can just copy the Users folder to another partition.
I tried the Easy File transfer app last night and it seems to have worked. Once i figured out that i could select what was transfered i managed to take out all the other drives and got it down to 22GB. I know where most of that is coming from and happy to let EFT handle them.
Im not bothered about any program settings, im looking forward to reinstalling everything from scratch.
Ive been quite careful and have all my data files on other partitions, including Outlook 2003 .pst (not using Live mail) and bookmarks but im sure ive been a bit lazy and some of my files will be on the C: drive.

I will also do a full C: backup as well, just in case.

Dave.

There should not be any problem if you are taking the data back up!
user files can also be copied!

you can use, Backup and Restore Center as a Tool,which is an inbuilt tool in Windows 7!

Thanks
Cheers,. -LP