Moving all my apps and files from windows 7 to 10

[Dking25]

so i want to do a clean install of Windows 10 but I also want to keep all my application, files and what not. how would I do this? i saw some videos explain this but still not sure. do i make a back up of win 7 ( will it save all my apps and files) or do i make a image? and if i try to restore it will all the stuff be there? also if i try to restore it will it go back to the old os or not?

 

[Ralston18]

I would clone the win 7 drive, keep and set aside the original drive, and upgrade the clone to Windows 10.

Good opportunity to move to a SSD if you can do so.

Back up data files to CD,DVD, NAS, flash drive before cloning.

Make sure you have all of your application software discs handy along with current copies of device drivers etc..

The upgrade process should prompt you if you want to keep your files, etc.. It should also put copies of everything into a file named window.old.

Creating an image would provide some additional protection - just make sure that you have the necessary recovery disk/flash drive available.

There will probably be a few glitches depending on the applications and current configuration. If insurmountable you can put the original drive back in and try a new clone based on what you learned via the first attempt.