Solved Clean Install Question

[MourningStar]

Is it 'smart' to backup AppData and then restore it? pros/cons? ...

 

[torchwood]

Hi

AppData works on multiple levels, 4 straight of the bat, that i can think off.

There is no point in saving them and then backing up to a clean install, especially if your going to an SSD from a hard drive. They will be automatically created when you install the new OS, and start adding programs.


fyi
appdata folders are created by/via
User Name link
Programs
your computer specs, under local/low/roaming


Roy

 

[MourningStar]

fyi ....

yeah, I know. However, just thinking to replace it with the bakup. -thx

 

[Alejandro85]

There is some point in backing up AppData, although you may need to decide how much of it to carry over with you.

Basically what's saved into AppData are program settings (in theory, at least), like configuration options, history, some saved documents and such things. Data that you may regenerate but you may like to have a copy.

Each program does it in it's own way. You'll need to explore its contents and decide what pieces do you want and what's useless. That could save reconfiguring programs after reformat and not to lose some things you may want to preserve.

What I wouldn't do is to just copy the whole AppData. Many programs leave garbage there (for example, the temp folder is there and you don't really want to back it up). Copy individual folders from it, if you want, and place them in the same spot in the new install.

 

[TechnoMage2016]

Is it 'smart' to backup AppData and then restore it? pros/cons? ...

Why, decide to back up just a small part of Windows, when everything in Windows is so laced together.

Everything in AppData, for instance is also logged in to the System Registry.

It's so much simpler (better) to just back up the entire C: drive and then you have Everything.

It's possible to back up just the C: partition, along with the boot sector, compress it and store the back up on a separate HD, either internal or External. I do that every week, (using GHOST 11.5) in fact, I'll be doing it again today.
Alternately, you can CLONE your main HD to a Secondary HD. I'll be doing that today too!

Cheers Mate!
TechnoMage

 

[Megahertz07]

On a new installation I have restored all \Users\Name
It restores all user configurations (Windows and programs)

Before you make the \Users\Name backup, make sure you do a cleanup to clean all trash.

 

[MourningStar]

Thx all - my op is based my 10+ year old computer showing odd behavior. I am now getting a combo of random bsod and re-boots. My h/w diagnostic tool reports all h/w functioning properly (thus pointing to the s/w as culprit, though I am not 100% convinced). Since all my 'stuff' is in my user account I did a backup on it and thought a clean, bloatware-free install may just give me a few more years on this old warhorse. Hoefeully, if the problem is s/w, this gremlin is not living somewhere in my 'user' area. Being a non-tech type I would have to find a wizard to do this for me. Estimated cost for this venture? ...



OR


I could just get me a fresh new machine and get aboard ...


-thx

 

[SIW2]

You might have programs that keep settings and even license info in appdata.

examples:
"C:\Users\yourusename\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird"
"C:\Users\yourusename\AppData\Roaming\WinISO Computing"
"C:\Users\yourusename\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla"

 

[Megahertz07]

Thx all - my op is based my 10+ year old computer showing odd behavior. I am now getting a combo of random bsod and re-boots. My h/w diagnostic tool reports all h/w functioning properly (thus pointing to the s/w as culprit, though I am not 100% convinced). Since all my 'stuff' is in my user account I did a backup on it and thought a clean, bloatware-free install may just give me a few more years on this old warhorse. Hoefeully, if the problem is s/w, this gremlin is not living somewhere in my 'user' area. Being a non-tech type I would have to find a wizard to do this for me. Estimated cost for this venture? ...

OR

I could just get me a fresh new machine and get aboard ...

-thx

There is nothing like a clean install.
As you're having BSOD run a check disk (chkdsk C: /f)

Why don't you buy a small SSD (120G - US$25) for windows and programs and use the HDD for data only. It will be a huge update.
If you're not going to use the HP Factory recovery, save your SLP license. Read this similar thread
Windows 7 Format

For the updates, use Simplix

 

[MourningStar]

Thx all -

well, I decided to go ahead with a new PC/monitor purchase. So, I will soon begin residency at Shawn's Windows 10 forum.

I will hold off on the clean install (until I am up and running with the new system) and restore only specific Appdata files on a as needed basis (fwiw, I did do check disk prior to posting this topic).

 

[SIW2]

That will be fun . What have you purchased?

 

[MourningStar]

That will be fun . What have you purchased?

fun, yes, that is the perfect word for it.