What folders to backup?

[CatzRuleZWorld]

I'm doing a fresh install of windows on my sister's computer but I want to make sure she doesn't lose any data. She doesn't keep backups at all so I have to do it myself. So far I have the "Users" folder copied to my hard drive which I will then copy back after installing windows (for access to saved stuff). Does anyone know if there would be saved stuff in any of the other folders on the main hard drive? The program files folders don't hold any notes, libraries, or stuff like that do they? What about "Windows", "ProgramData", "PerfLogs"?

[1Scotty1]

No need... just back up everything she needs, like music, photos, and such... no system files needed to back up

[19_blackie_73]

I'm doing a fresh install of windows on my sister's computer but I want to make sure she doesn't lose any data. She doesn't keep backups at all so I have to do it myself. So far I have the "Users" folder copied to my hard drive which I will then copy back after installing windows (for access to saved stuff). Does anyone know if there would be saved stuff in any of the other folders on the main hard drive? The program files folders don't hold any notes, libraries, or stuff like that do they? What about "Windows", "ProgramData", "PerfLogs"?

the users folder is right were everything is except she stores here data somewhere else. here are most times also save games (in appdata)

everything else is not needed

[xTrekStorex]

like the others mentioned above: backup the users folder or copy everything in it she needs by hand and check the appdata (Users\***\Appdata\Roaming and Users\***\Appdata\Local - you can type %APPDATA% into "run" to get there -> Win+R) for save games and maybe some browserplugins like the session manager of Firefox. there are also a lot of systemfiles in Users so I wouldnt copy the whole folder if not necessary.

you should also go into the browser and export bookmarks if she doesnt use Firefox sync or hasnt linked a Google account to her Chrome.

 

also check C: directly for files. many users just drop stuff to C: .. it's the second most used folder by casual users - just barely behind the Desktop..