Windows.old folder - Restore into a new installation

A bit more testing:

Even though I was already sure it works, I decided to do one more test. Installed Seven on my test rig once more, on top of XP creating Windows.old. After installation, I copied the Windows.old folder to an external HD and deleted it from the new Windows 7 installation. I "played" a few days with Seven, installed software and so on. This morning I copied the Windows.old folder back to Seven, and did the restore procedure.

Everything works as before, XP is restored to the smallest detail. For those reading this tutorial and wondering if it really works, I can only say that I have now tested it several times, different scenarios and it always works.

Amazing, when you think of it.

Kari

Kari said:

A bit more testing:

Even though I was already sure it works, I decided to do one more test. Installed Seven on my test rig once more, on top of XP creating Windows.old. After installation, I copied the Windows.old folder to an external HD and deleted it from the new Windows 7 installation. I "played" a few days with Seven, installed software and so on. This morning I copied the Windows.old folder back to Seven, and did the restore procedure.

Everything works as before, XP is restored to the smallest detail. For those reading this tutorial and wondering if it really works, I can only say that I have now tested it several times, different scenarios and it always works.

Amazing, when you think of it.

Kari

Awesome Kari, thanks (again)!
Would rep you if I could.

~Lordbob

Hi Witz, welcome to the Seven Forums.

The word "Vista" in this excellent tutorial by Lordbob is only used to rename some system folders. You can rename those as you want to, like this:

Code:

ren Windows Windows.Any.Name.You.Want.To.Use

The rename command's two parameters are current name (Windows in this example), and the new name (Windows.Any.Name.You.Want.To.Use in this example).

You can forget steps 9 and 10 if both new and old versions are Seven.

Kari

witz17 said:

I am a complete beginner at this and I was able to do it!

Many thanks to you.... I greatly appreciate your help!

Witz

Thanks mate, glad it worked for you.

~Lordbob

p3pikr3izi said:

Hey good job! But I have a question, is there a way to undo the above steps? I mean, what if I wanted to have the files back like before, i.e., delete the files .Vista including Windows.Vista, Program Files.Vista etc.
Any idea?
Thank you so much!!!

I believe that you could just follow the order and reverse the names, putting it back the way it was. I have not tried or thought about it though.

~Lordbob