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

 

[p3pikr3izi]

but the 'programs' in the 'Program Files' folder now are not JUST the Vista's ones ~~.

 

[SIW2]

Don't understand the question.

You use exactly the same instructions for restoring windows 7 from windows.old, as you would if you were restoring Vista from windows.old.

You only use different instructions if you are restoring XP from Windows.old.

The concept is quite simple.

You have to do from outside windows - so boot 7 recoverydisc/dvd to get to command prompt.

1. Move your current windows files to a folder - call it anything you like - e.g. MYFOLDER.

Move the current Windows folder, Program files folder, program files (x86) folder, User folder, Program Data (you need to take off the system and hidden attributes ) - into "MYFOLDER"

Then delete Documents and settings.

2. Move the folders from windows.old to their previous locations on the drive, i.e directly onto the root of the drive, if your drive is c:

Move the previous windows folder from windows .old directly onto the partition, so it is now e.g. c:\Windows,

Do the same for the other folders in there.

3. Write the relevant bootsector code.

If you are restoring XP - use /nt52 switch, if you are restoring either Vista or 7 - use the /nt60 switch.

 

[ShiroB]

Hi sorry for my english hope you understad.
I had some problem with my pc. I have a packard bell with windows 7 home premium 64bit. After I clicked on an .exe file my pc crash down and I cannot start it anymore. it stops at the windows logo and it shout down again. It traied to restore system but it cannot. I traied in safe mode but nothing. I have 3 dvd for recovery the computer as new but I didn't want to lose my files so I downoad a windows 7 home premium 64bit setup, because I needed a clear version and I didn't know how to extract it from my recovery dvd, and I installed it on my pc but it didn't ask me if I wanted rapare my windows, it asked me just I wanted to install windows so I did it. Now I have the windows old folder and I read that I can restore this folder...but I have a questions....
I cannot go in the command prompt because my dvd with the windows installer doesn't ask me if I want to repare it goes to the installetion....maybe I downloaded a version modified....there is a way to have a good one? Maybe from my dvd recovery?
thank you very much
ciao

 

[ShiroB]

...it's me again....
Or Can I copy and past the file into windows old using another computer? Can I put the hard dick intu another pc and do the copy and the past through it? Could be a solution?
Thanks again

 

[Lordbob75]

I am going to hope you meant disk in that last post...

So when you put in the Windows disk, it does not detect the old installation?

~Lordbob

 

[ShiroB]

Sorry I meant disk yes....
I didn't understan what you mean...
I can see the old installation. I installed windows 7 when I cannot start my computer. It crash and I cannot star anymore. It stoped at the windows logo.But when I installed windows it didn't ask me if I wanted repare it. It ask me just if I want to install and that there was an old windows installed and that if I was gone on it would create a windows old folder and so it did. I have 3 dvd to recovery my pc but I didn't use them because the recovery setup will bring my computer as new, as it was created by parckad bell. I now that in the 3 recovery dvd there is windows setup but I cannot extract so to install a new one over my old one to start my computer again I downloaded one on internet but I think this is a slim version without the pannel with command prompt ecc ecc. It goes to the installation...so I don't know if I go on if it ask me again that there are a windows old folder and a windows installed....So I ask if there is a way to copy and paste the windows old putting tha hard disk into another pc and move the folder from windows old to windows like you did with command prompt.
Thank you. Sorry my english.

 

[benking]

i put windows 7 ultimate over home premium will this still work?

 

[Lordbob75]

i put windows 7 ultimate over home premium will this still work?

The process should still work, yes.

~Lordbob

 

[chaffeypj]

I tried the method of restore as described on page one of the post but had zero success. I double checked my spelling and commands and always seemed to come with errors. I then found an older article which said you could restore fromt eh windows.old older and this interested me as I was in the middle of working on an important video project and needed to get back up and running asap. When I reinstalled using the windows.old files, taking ownership of each folder and cutting then pasting from.old to the new install folders. Everything seemed to be great but not all of the links to all my programs were restored. (this is the link to the article I am referring to: http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-r...-pc-fully-windows-old-folder.html#post1450694) I was hoping someone with way more experience than mysself miht have a solution. I posted on the thread mentioned but it was last commented on in 2009 that I didn't expect a reply. I am not a true techie, I love to use technology like video editing and such but am not into the programming side so in that sense I am a newby but usually follow directions pretty well. Thanks in advance for any help!! PJ

 

[Lordbob75]

You will always have to reinstall the programs after a reinstall, but you can very easily copy files the way that was mentioned.

The only solution here is to reinstall the programs.

~Lordbob

 

[SIW2]

You won't be able to do that completely from within windows.

To reinstall from the windows.old - you have to do it from outside your windows installation - use a boot disc.

I tried the method of restore as described on page one of the post but had zero success. I double checked my spelling and commands and always seemed to come with errors. I then found an older article which said you could restore fromt eh windows.old older and this interested me as I was in the middle of working on an important video project and needed to get back up and running asap. When I reinstalled using the windows.old files, taking ownership of each folder and cutting then pasting from.old to the new install folders. Everything seemed to be great but not all of the links to all my programs were restored. (this is the link to the article I am referring to: http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-r...-pc-fully-windows-old-folder.html#post1450694) I was hoping someone with way more experience than mysself miht have a solution. I posted on the thread mentioned but it was last commented on in 2009 that I didn't expect a reply. I am not a true techie, I love to use technology like video editing and such but am not into the programming side so in that sense I am a newby but usually follow directions pretty well. Thanks in advance for any help!! PJ

 

[bullfights]

Lordbob75, Hello I am typing letter for letter and still get the "System cannot find the file specified" on all of the first steps, i am 0 for 5 right now, and should i keep going?

 

[Brink]

Hello Bull,

The drive letter for the Windows 7 drive/partition may not always be C: at boot. Do steps 4A-4D in the tutorial below using the diskpart command to see what the actual drive letter is for your Windows 7 drive/partition first. If you have the 100MB system reserved partition created during the installation of Windows 7, then I'm betting you'll probably need to use D: instead. Double check to be sure though.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/55728-file-delete-command-prompt.html


Afterwards, use that drive letter in the command in the tutorial on the first page of this thread.

Hope this helps.

 

[bullfights]

ahhh yes the D drive it should be, let me check that for sure thanks.

ok that worked, but in doing one step below I got "access denied":

8b) When the previous Windows installation was a different version of Windows Vista or Windows Seven:
Code:
move /y c:\windows.old\users c:\

What to do now?

oh wait I typo'd, all shud be good, lol. mine is in d:\ and forgot to change it oops

well crap, it worked i guess, but it went back to the loop di loop that I have been getting regarding the http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-installation-transfer-new-computer.html that I did in the first place,so I know it wont boot for shure, shet!

off to bed, hope I dont work tomorrow so I can fiddle with this again, if you have any pointers please let me know I'll check em out when I can.

going on day four...

 

[Lordbob75]

While this tutorial works, I am very much a fan of doing a pure clean install and moving the files over from an external drive (whether HDD or flash drive), as it works much better (and is much easier). If you can access the files from Windows.Old from within the new Windows install, you should be able to just copy and paste the ones you need out of that folder and into the new, correct directories without much fuss.

~Lordbob

 

[bullfights]

Yes like I initially said "it worked".... This tutorial works great not bashing that, my issue is the image i created is toast, I can see files fine in the windows.old, but just wont boot.

I wonder if I can undo the recent changes, ren windows windows.old3, or should i do another fresh install? Well by moving files from the windows.old folder, I wont be able to get emails in the same folders as before. I mean I can move the folders and import them but they end up in the storage folder instead of the inbox. I'd like to know how to get it to the inbox, plus what about the accounts? Wont be able to import those, how do I fix that?

More fun on the way......

 

[bullfights]

ok well what I did now was to go back and restart the tutorial and see what happens..... I had to follow the steps backwards, like when it says to ren windows windows.vista, I had to reverse it to "ren windows.vista windows", the same with the other three. once I did that I reset the boot sector, rebooted and all is fine, back to the fresh install.

One thing I have noticed is that there are two Users directory, one with the fresh install and the other with the windows.vista folder, the same with the programs and files. interesting, now I can easily move things around, lets hope I can get windows Live mail properly completed and then I can export files.

More to follow.

Like someone had mentioned in another thread, forgot which one, you can move your folders from one user folder (old) to the other. I was able to do that with all the email i have, all I needed to do was move all the emails from a "recovery" folder back to the original folder, then reset the passwords, and all ok. Now I can export all the messages to another drive and move that to another PC, which I have been trying to do, phew. thats about it for now. Almost there....

 

[ponty56]

So if i did a new upgrade from vista to windows 7 i can just go into windows.old and copy files such as microsoft word or macafee and past them in the new program files folder and wa laa it will be just as it was before.

 

[Lordbob75]

So if i did a new upgrade from vista to windows 7 i can just go into windows.old and copy files such as microsoft word or macafee and past them in the new program files folder and wa laa it will be just as it was before.

Files yes, programs no. You WILL have to reinstall all your programs.

~Lordbob

 

[ponty56]

Ok so my next qustion is if i backed up the c drive onto an external will i be able to find the program on there and install it back on c ?