[SOLVED] Going to reinstall windows 10 after hardware change how do I back up my important files and restore them after?

[S225]

Going to be changing my motherboard soon and need to reinstall windows 10 after changing it. I was wondering what’s the best way to back up my important files(User files and program data) and how I would restore it after the reinstall?

thanks

 

[USAFRet]

Going to be changing my motherboard soon and need to reinstall windows 10 after changing it. I was wondering what’s the best way to back up my important files(User files and program data) and how I would restore it after the reinstall?

thanks

Personal files, you copy those to some other drive or storage location.

"program data" is irrelevant, because you'll be reinstalling all your applications anyway.

 

[S225]

Personal files, you copy those to some other drive or storage location.

"program data" is irrelevant, because you'll be reinstalling all your applications anyway.

So I can just copy my whole user file and add it later? Or should I do only copy the files in the sub folders and restore them?

 

[USAFRet]

So I can just copy my whole user file and add it later? Or should I do only copy the files in the sub folders and restore them?

NOT the whole /User/ folder.
And not even the "Libraries".

The files in them, yes.

The /User/ and Libraries folders carry the permissions of the existing users. Dropping that into a new install brings permission and access issues.
The files within those Libraries do not carry those permissions.

 

[S225]

NOT the whole /User/ folder.
And not even the "Libraries".

The files in them, yes.

The /User/ and Libraries folders carry the permissions of the existing users. Dropping that into a new install brings permission and access issues.
The files within those Libraries do not carry those permissions.

Oh yes of course. Will I be able to do folders like app data? Or does that have permission requirements since it’s a hidden folder?

 

[USAFRet]

Oh yes of course. Will I be able to do folders like app data? Or does that have permission requirements since it’s a hidden folder?

AppData will fail as well.

 

[S225]

AppData will fail as well.

Alright thank you for your help!

 

[USAFRet]

Alright thank you for your help!

Good luck!

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[TommyTwoTone66]

Simplest way is to buy a USB stick and copy everything you’ve saved to “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Downloads” and “Desktop” on to the USB stick.

Only you know where you’ve put your important files, but for most people, those four folders seem to be the ones.