Install over Windows 7 has problems - can I reinstall over Windows 7

Thank you! Honestly, I didn't know that help existed. For some odd reason, I've never gotten in the habit of going there to see what existed. My email and browsers are the programs I'll need the most to get up and running. I think, that before I do the switch, I'll go through my many other programs to see if they have any specific settings or pointers to data I've placed on my Data drive. I'll make a written list of those specific settings and pointers (but first I'll check those program's help sections). OK, @essenbe, guess I''m ready for final instructions (unless your last instructions still hold now that @f4tomcat has seen my drive setup).

I still would like to know if I have to physically remove a drive when you say 'disconnect.' And why? Thank you again!

I'd like to consolidate all the great information you folks have provided before I begin. Is there a way to print out all your posts in chronological order?

The next thing I will do is make a plan to be sure I have all my data, drivers, etc. are available before I begin. I should have no problem removing either drive when the time comes. I will present my plan when I am finished (probably in a week or so).

@essenbe: Should I plan to place my C:\User folder on my data drive for this new install? If so, I need instructions on how to do it. There must be some way to point to it on another drive - probably in the Registry.. Also, I'm wondering if I should copy it from my W7 installation as is. What is the reason you place your User folder on your data drive?

I use Macrium images to back up my drives - but don't know how to mount them to retrieve specific data.

Thank you very much!!!

[QUOTE=essenbe;773746]@Nisko, you are going to have to decide that. Here are is what is involved. If the installer sees another install of Windows, it will place the boot files in the system reserve for the new install as well as the old install, which you intend to remove. Because the boot fles of all 3 will be in the same place, when you remove the 2 you have now, your computer won't boot. Yes, it is fixable, but I don't think you would want to do it.

For that reason you have the option of removing the 1 TB drive, so the installer will not see the other 2 installs and it will boot on it's own.

Your other option, and the one I would suggest, is back up all of your personal files and do a clean install on the 1 TB drive. If you will download the installers for Thunderbird, Firefox, Chrome or the other browsers you need along with your drivers, you will be up and running in no time. You can then restore your personal files from your backup and be back functioning in an hour or two. We can show you how to back up your data easily and @simrick and I have showed you how to backup your Thunderbird and Firefox settings. For me, once I have my data back, my Browsers and email working, I consider myself functional. The other programs can be added as you find you need them. If you don't need and use them, don't install them.

You can find all of you Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos, Favorites in C:\users\yourusername just back up those folders and you should have most everything. It's really not as complicated as many people think it is. Just think ahead and have what you need before you start.

You can even image your current partitions with Free Macrium so if things go wrong you have a way back to where you are right now. That is also useful in that you can mount those images and copy/paste from them to the new install. There is no risk in losing much other than 30 minutes or so of your time.

I would also have the installer for Macrium before beginning and install it once you have your Browsers and email set up. Take an image of the new install and save it somewhere safe. That way, you won't have to worry about another clean install. Just restore that image and you will have a clean install with your stuff already set up.

This will give you some good info on doing a clean install. The Video in it was done on an earlier version of Windows 10 and will not look exactly the same, but it is the same process and you will know exactly what to expect. https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1...n-install.html[/QUOTE]

Thank you f14tomcat and thank you all. I'll follow the instructions above and learn how re-paginate when I've completed setting up W10. simrick, I'll follow those instructions for making a list. Hopefully I'll give you great people a rest from the everyday posts. Thanks again for all the help.

Hello folks! I am in the process of making a list of my 'must have' programs. It occurred to me that you might have some recommendations for 'must have' programs which you have on your own computers. @f14tomcat, you implied that Avast causes problems - so, a recommendation for a good anti-virus would be in order. ADWCleaner seems to be a good one. I already use Macrium for my images. Please advise what other programs you would recommend. I hope all of you are still tuned in to this thread. Thank you!

simrick said:

Moving Thunderbird Data to a New Computer | Thunderbird Help

Recovering important data from an old profile | Firefox Help

:)