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:

1. Know how to boot from a CD/DVD.
2. 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.

Code:

c:

Code:

ren Windows Windows.backup

Code:

ren "Program Files" "Program Files.old"

Code:

ren "Users" "Users.old"

Code:

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.

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

Code:

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

Code:

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:

Code:

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:

Code:

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

Code:

D:\boot\bootsect /nt52 c:

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

Code:

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.

Code:

c:

Code:

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

Code:

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

Code:

attrib boot.ini +s +h +r

11) Exit Command Prompt by typing:

Code:

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

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