Data Backup before Clean Install

iMuneeshKumar · 16 May 2017

Hello friends,

I have started a small repair business and my question revolves around data backup options while doing a clean install on a PC. Generally before doing the clean install, I take a backup of data (User Library such as Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, Video, Outlook File from AppData folder) before doing the clean install.

After new windows installation is done, I copy the earlier backed up data and install all the required programs; configure email accounts again in Outlook and copy PST file earlier backed up.

Is there a better way to backup a client's data? As experienced users, are you able to suggest me a software or another certified procedure to follow while taking data backup & reinstating the data again after clean install?
As an IT Technician, please suggest some other better way to take the data backup if there is any?

Thank you very much.

dalchina · 17 May 2017

One idea I find useful is to use disk imaging.
If you have a disk image, you can then mount the image after the clean install and extract any data (you might have overlooked) from the image.

Further, if there's a disk problem (related to clusters containing read data), imaging will fail- so an inherent check.

In addition to those areas you mention, there are
- program related settings (registry, %appdata%, ProgramData.....)
- browser related data e.g. favourites, passwords perhaps, etc etc..

Of course programs such as Laplink PCMover (or similar from Easeus) are ideal for this- but there's a license cost. However, where many programs are involved, automating this vs your time would make it worthwhile.

Note: one Laplink program can transfer data and programs to a new OS from a disk image.

iMuneeshKumar · 17 May 2017

Thank you for the reply. I will have a look at the mentioned software.
Generally I access "AppData" folder only to grab Outlook PST files. I do not copy any other program data.

I just wanted to have an alternate view of other experts when they do the data backup. Maybe there is a way to copy all the user profiles and then reinstate those with the new clean install.

Thank you for the info.

dalchina · 17 May 2017

How to Backup / Restore / Transfer User Profile in Windows - YouTube
- Fab's Autobackup?

iMuneeshKumar · 17 May 2017

Thanks for the quick reply again. Some direction I got.

cereberus · 18 May 2017

high five days

iMuneeshKumar said:

Hello friends,

I have started a small repair business and my question revolves around data backup options while doing a clean install on a PC. Generally before doing the clean install, I take a backup of data (User Library such as Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, Video, Outlook File from AppData folder) before doing the clean install.

After new windows installation is done, I copy the earlier backed up data and install all the required programs; configure email accounts again in Outlook and copy PST file earlier backed up.

Is there a better way to backup a client's data? As experienced users, are you able to suggest me a software or another certified procedure to follow while taking data backup & reinstating the data again after clean install?
As an IT Technician, please suggest some other better way to take the data backup if there is any?

Thank you very much.

You are doing pretty much all you can without investing in program moving tools like easeus pctrans, laplink pcmover, zinstall but as a business, these tools may be worth the cost as they can save you a lot of time.

iMuneeshKumar · 18 May 2017

cereberus said:

high five days

You are doing pretty much all you can without investing in program moving tools like easeus pctrans, laplink pcmover, zinstall but as a business, these tools may be worth the cost as they can save you a lot of time.

Thanks my friend.