How to save EVERYTHING before I reset my pc to factory setting

Question

Hi 

I want to reset my pc to factory setting to improve its performance.

But I want to make sure that I save EVERYTHING on this computer( MS files and photos ), the settings and Favorites on Edge.

Can anyone tell me how to to this?

Answer 1

This is actually easier that it sounds. Start by making a list of everything that you want to backup. Here's something to start you off:

All these folders are inside your user account:

Desktop

Documents

Downloads

Music

Pictures

Videos

Simply drag and copy these folders to an external hard drive or a USB flash drive.

You'll find the same folders inside the Public user account, so look there too.

ME Favorites are backed up by exporting them:

Microsoft Edge -- Settings and more -- Import Favorites and other info -- Export to file

Settings cannot be moved; you'll have to redo them.

If you're using an installed email program like Microsoft Outlook you'll have to export your message store.

Now think about where else you may have stashed your personal files. That part is up to you.

Answer 2

To backup your Favorites

Launch Microsoft Edge

Click the More menu located in the top right corner of the screen represented by the three dots.

Click Settings

General

Screen down to Import or Export

Click Explorer to a file

Save your Favorites to an external or USB thumb drive.

As for your other files and photos.

The first thing I recommend you do is invest in an external hard disk. I can't exhaust this enough; they are affordable and can store lots of data. You can probably get a 4TB drive for around $100.

Keep in mind, if you have a complex configuration, these instructions do not delve into the nuances of multiple partitions or drives with data scattered across them although the same rules can apply in regards to backup. If you do have folders for data such as documents, music, pictures and videos stored on other partitions or drives, then I would recommend you disconnect these data drives and upgrade only the system partition. You can always reattach your data drives after setup is complete.

Turn on Show Hidden Files & Folders

You want your backup to be as thorough as possible. Within your User folder is a hidden directory called AppData. This folder stores important settings for the apps you use, such as custom directionaries for Microsoft Word, passwords for apps like Chrome, Outlook data files and mail folders for apps like Windows Mail.

To turn on Hidden Files and folders, start by opening your user folder. Press Windows key + R then type: %userprofile% then hit Enter on your keyboard.

Enabling Show hidden files and Folders

Windows 8/8.1/10 - Click the View tab then click Options then click the View tab. Under Advanced settings > Hidden files and folders select the radio box Show hidden files and folders.

AppData folder is now visible.

After completing the above steps, you should now see the AppData folder appear in your user folder.

Next step is to simply select all the folder. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + A or

Click Home tab > Select All (Windows 8/8.1/10),

Selected folders

Open your External hard disk then create a new folder and call it backup or a unique name. Open it then press Ctrl + V or

Click Home tab > Paste (Windows 8/8.1/10),

Depending on the amount of data, this can take a while.

If you have multiple accounts

If you have more than one account on your computer, log into each account and repeat the same steps. Make sure a unique folder is created for each account you backup manually.

Remember other folders you might have

If you store data in folders such as Public, remember to look in there too. The Public folder is located in C:\Users\Public

NOTE: Some apps will keep their own data stores within their application folders, so make sure you browse and copy those over if necessary. Some users have a tendency to store files at the root of the hard disk, normally where the operating system is installed (Local Disk c:). Also check there for any important files and move them to Documents folder.

Restoration

Once your backup is complete and you have your new computer setup and is installed and running, the next step is to copy over your files and folders from the external hard disk. You can do this two ways, you can individually copy the contents of each folder into the respective folder on the new computer from the external drive. Here is what you can easily do.

Connect and turn on your external hard disk.

Browse the backup folder with your backed up folders.

Press Ctrl + A or Click Home tab > Select All (Windows 8/8.1/10)

Open your User folder on the computer

Press Windows key + R then type: %userprofile% then hit Enter on your keyboard.

Press Ctrl + V or Home tab > Paste (Windows 8/8.1/10)

You will be prompted if you want to replace the folders, click Yes.

Depending on the amount of data, this can take a while.

If you have other accounts, make sure the respective accounts have been created and logged into then repeat the same steps.

Answer 3

Hi, I hope you're doing good today.

If you need to back up everything to a drive then follow this.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402740...

Regards.