Windows.old folder - Restore into a new installation

How to Restore your Windows.old Folder into a New Installation​

   Information

This will restore the files and folders from the windows.old folder.

This means that any documents, settings, and programs will be restored to their previous positions and settings.
It will look similar to your previous installation, but not exactly the same! There will be some differences!

YES, this works in Vista, as well as Windows Seven. The instructions are EXACTLY the same!

For more information, see also:
How to restore a Windows 7-based computer to a previous Windows installation by using the Windows.old folder

   Warning

Make sure you:

• Know how to boot from a CD/DVD.
• Know how to install Windows from a DVD, over an existing installation.

Make sure that the free space on the drive you are restoring to has enough free space for the windows.old folder.

This does NOT work perfectly!!!
When I used this, I still encountered some errors, such as TWO Program Files folders, and missing icon pictures.

This is NOT a recommended way to do a restore! It will work, but you should back up your data and take the time to either create a restore image, or reinstall your files.

It WILL work just fine for files such as those in your Documents folder.

Setup:

1) Make sure that you want to do a new installation. If you are, then boot into the Install Disk and complete the installation.

2) Now you want to restore some of your old files? OK, read on!

Let's begin:
1) Insert your Installation disk into your DVD drive, and reboot. Make sure you can boot from the DVD.

2) Press any key to boot from CD when the option appears.

3) At this point, you have already done a clean install over your existing installation.

4) Select "Repair Your Computer" from the installation menu (see screen shot below).

5) Select your Windows installation you want to restore to.

6) Select Command Prompt. This will bring up the command prompt window.

   Warning

This starts getting complicated, and if you do something incorrectly, it could cause problems. Make sure you have your windows.old folder backed up, as well as your current installation (if needed).

Type each command EXACTLY as it is written! If you misspell what is in the code box, you will misspell the folder, possibly causing problems or errors!

   Note

When you type one or more of the commands at the command prompt in the following steps in this section, and you then press ENTER, you may receive the following message:
The system cannot find the file specified.
If you receive this message, go to the next step in this section, and then type the command in that next step.

7) Type the following commands in, one at a time. Press ENTER at the end of each line. This will rename the windows.old folders, in preparation of being moved.

c:

ren Windows Windows.backup

ren "Program Files" "Program Files.old"

ren "Users" "Users.old"

rmdir "C:\Documents and Settings"

8) Now we will move the folders over the new ones, restoring your old settings and files. Again, type the commands in one at a time, pressing ENTER at the end of each.

:busted: If you are using a drive other than c: for your windows installation, replace c: with that drive letter!

move /y c:\windows.old\windows c:\

move /y "c:\windows.old\program files" c:\

8a) When the previous Windows installation was Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP, or Microsoft Windows 2000:

move /y "c:\windows.old\documents and settings" c:\

8b) When the previous Windows installation was a different version of Windows Vista or Windows Seven:

move /y c:\windows.old\users c:\

9) Now we need to restore the boot sector of the previous installation.NOTE: D: represents the DVD drive in the following commands. If the DVD drive on the computer is represented by a different letter, such as E:, use that letter in the command.
When the previous Windows installation was Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP, or Microsoft Windows 2000

D:\boot\bootsect /nt52 c:

When the previous Windows installation was a different version of Windows Vista

D:\boot\bootsect /nt60 c:

10) Restore the Boot.ini file for the previous Windows Installation of Windows XP or Windows 2000
Note: Only follow these steps when the previous installation is Windows XP or Windows 2000.

c:

attrib boot.ini.saved -s -h -r

ren"boot.ini.saved""boot.ini"

attrib boot.ini +s +h +r

11) Exit Command Prompt by typing:

exit

Then restart your computer.

Your Windows installation will start as normal, with the newly restored files and settings.

   Warning

This does NOT work perfectly!!!
When I used this, I still encountered some errors, such as TWO Program Files folders, and missing icon pictures.

This is NOT a recommended way to do a restore! It will work, but you should back up your data and take the time to either create a restore image, or reinstall your files.

It WILL work just fine for files such as those in your Documents folder.

For anyone that wishes to use it, I hope it works for you.
I hope this tutorial will help many a person, and provide a solution.

~Lordbob

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Delete the Windows.old Folder in Windows 7
• How to Do a Custom Installation of Windows 7

 

[edbarcik]

Restore from Windows.old

is there a boot sector setting for Win 7? Only vista is listed in the tutorial, also, what about moving Program Files <x86>, can't figure out how to do that, I get syntax is incorrect error.

I managed to copy all the programs over to the Program Files <x86> folder but they don't show up in "All Programs" so how or what has to be done?

 

[Lordbob75]

The boot sector is for Windows Vista and 7, but XP uses a different one.
You *should* be able to move files from the Program Files x86 folder, if you are moving from a x64 to x64 OS.

If you are moving from a x86 to x64, then the Program files becomes the Program Files x86 folder, and the regular one is left alone.

You would need to backup and then restore the registry, or reinstall your programs.

~Lordbob

 

[Deeoneishere55]

Windows.old

I had to reinstall Windows 7 over Windows 7. Will this Windows.old tutorial work for my situation?

 

[Jonathan_King]

If you are doing an Upgrade install, (or a repair install), no Windows.old folder will be created. Your programs will not need reinstalling, and your data will not be touched.

 

[Lordbob75]

I had to reinstall Windows 7 over Windows 7. Will this Windows.old tutorial work for my situation?

What Johnathan said is true.

However, if you did a regular install over your old one, then YES it will work.

~Lordbob

 

[icepein]

Hi everyone i was googling for this problem i hav and i found this solution.

I just wondering if my previous windows 7 is crashed(cannot boot up or go into safe mode, system restore and repair all don't work), my only option is do a clean reinstall. I know then my old files will go into window.old

But my question is if my previous windows 7 cannot be booted up and if i restore will the same problem happen again?

And about step 7
7) Type the following commands in, one at a time. Press ENTER at the end of each line. This will rename the windows.old folders, in preparation of being moved.
I see rename folder to vista. If im using not using vista should i type that?

Many thanks in advance i hope i can backup my data T_T

 

[Lordbob75]

But my question is if my previous windows 7 cannot be booted up and if i restore will the same problem happen again?

No. If you do a reinstall, that should fix the boot up problem. First, have you tried a repair install, or fixing the MBR? That is more likely the problem then a bad install.

And about step 7
7) Type the following commands in, one at a time. Press ENTER at the end of each line. This will rename the windows.old folders, in preparation of being moved.
I see rename folder to vista. If im using not using vista should i type that?

Many thanks in advance i hope i can backup my data T_T

Yes. Because W7 is the same kernal as Vista, and I have used this to go from W7 to W7 install.

Hope that helps.

~Lordbob

 

[icepein]

No i cannot do repair install because it requires me login to windows and run as administrator. I haven't try MBR though but I think it won't fix the problem cause my windows is somehow corrupted due to NEWSid.exe if u heard of it.

Anyway i'm going to reinstall later and see if it works or not...I really hope it does and my program are running back like charm!

And thanks for the fast reply i really appreciate it.

 

[meee]

i don't like 2 program files and 2 user files and windows.vista file, however i don't have the permission to delete them...how would i undo those things?

 

[Jonathan_King]

Try taking ownership of the folders you would like to delete: Take Ownership of file - Vista Forums

 

[meee]

thx it works

 

[whs]

Here is some additional info that might be of interest: How to restore a Windows 7-based computer to a previous Windows installation by using the Windows.old folder

 

[sitarra]

I need to reinstall Windows 7 and from doing it previously I noticed that all my stuff goes in to the windows.old folder upon reinstall. However, I don't know how reliable this is and what exactly Windows saves in this folder.

I don't have quite enough external space to do a full backup so I was wondering if I could create a windows.old folder and move my stuff there. I know from previous experience that if there is already a windows.old folder a new one gets created (windows2.old?). I don't have room for storing the data twice so I was thinking to move everything to windows.old before reinstalling so the new backup folder that windows creates will not have my documents etc, only programs etc.

How fall proof is this system? And what exactly gets saved? Is it advisable to move my documents in to a .old folder then reinstall or just reinstall, knowing that windows will save my data?

Obviously I would like to backup fully regardless but I don't really have much choice.

 

[Jonathan_King]

The installer will save Program Files (both 32 and 64 if on a 64-bit machine), the Users folder (C:\Users\), Performance Logs, and the Windows folder.

Unless you have a bad hard drive, this is quite reliable; I have never seen or heard reports of it failing. Furthermore, if you don't have enough room on the drive, Windows should give you a message.

I recommend saving everything you want to keep from your existing Windows.old folder to your desktop, in a folder.

Then, delete the Windows.old folder. Here is a tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19151-windows-old-folder-delete.html

If you don't want your documents saved, delete them before you reinstall.

 

[Neophile]

Hi Lordbob75,

I am having an issue that has nothing to do with this tutorial, but as it is very difficult to solve, even with dedicated help from other people, I am thinking of replacing the system as you explain in this turorial. However, I am not completely sure that it will work in my case. The OS doesn't boot, I don't know why, and I am thinking of using your tutorial to tranfer files and settings, but I am afraid that the issue will be transfered along, too. So I would like to ask if you please could have a look at my issue as described in these forums, and tell me if what I think is worth to do. You will notice that I can even copy the Windows.old folder on another drive before starting, if needed.

 

[Lordbob75]

Hi Lordbob75,

I am having an issue that has nothing to do with this tutorial, but as it is very difficult to solve, even with dedicated help from other people, I am thinking of replacing the system as you explain in this turorial. However, I am not completely sure that it will work in my case. The OS doesn't boot, I don't know why, and I am thinking of using your tutorial to tranfer files and settings, but I am afraid that the issue will be transfered along, too. So I would like to ask if you please could have a look at my issue as described in these forums, and tell me if what I think is worth to do. You will notice that I can even copy the Windows.old folder on another drive before starting, if needed.

Reading now.

~Lordbob

 

[Neophile]

Hi Lordbob,

Could you just give a quick reply to my post on this tutorial, please? I would like to put an end to my problem, either one way or another.
Thanks.


Edit:
Sorry, I missed your other answer on another thread and I just found it, but I'm probably going to need this answer just the same.

 

[Lordbob75]

Hi Lordbob,

Could you just give a quick reply to my post on this tutorial, please? I would like to put an end to my problem, either one way or another.
Thanks.


Edit:
Sorry, I missed your other answer on another thread and I just found it, but I'm probably going to need this answer just the same.

I told you (directly above) that I am reading it. I did post in the thread, though I am not sure there is a lot we can do at this point.

You might just have to suck it up and reinstall the OS and hope that fixes it.

~Lordbob

 

[ursuchascene]

Hi Lordbob

too bad this tut doesn't work for me at all, or am i just missing something..
every code i entered gave me "The system cannot find the file specified."
exept for the first code w/c is c:.

 

[Lordbob75]

Hi Lordbob

too bad this tut doesn't work for me at all, or am i just missing something..
every code i entered gave me "The system cannot find the file specified."
exept for the first code w/c is c:.

Did you do a clean install or upgrade?

~Lordbob