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Clean install W10 on an old machine: what/how to prep?
Folks,
I've borked my W7 install. Don't ask how: it takes skillz. Anyhow, rather than reinstalling W7, I figured this is the perfect time to perform a clean install of W10. I've found the thread, I've created a USB install stick. Before I take the plunge, I'd like to know what to backup, etc., and how to import it.
I can use Macrium to get a mostly functioning W7. Doing that, I've exported the following onto a spare drive:
1. IE11 bookmarks and cookies.
2. Windows Live Mail accounts, contacts, and emails.
3. Documents and photos I want to keep.
4. Various savegame files. Just because. :)
5. Screenshots of my Control Panel>Add/Remove Program lists, so I can reference what I had installed.
Certain software requires un-licensing so an activation isn't used up. Other software (Microsoft Office 2013, I'm looking at you!) hides its key. I'll try to pry out all those items and save them to the same spare drive.
Having learned a few lessons about User Profile locations, imaging, and the need to keep Windows happy, I'll plan on just having a single drive (an SSD) physically plugged in during the install. Then, I'll use the spare drive to copy files, as needed, after W10 is running.
Is there something obvious I'm missing?
Is there a better way to prep an old rig for a new OS?
Thanks,
Ken