Fresh windows install

[iRileyx]

So i'm wanting to do a fresh windows install on my boot SSD, but i'm not too sure what to do with the files on my SSD.
I do have a hdd as well that i can put the files i need to keep onto so ill be copying my games and other things over to there.

If i just copy my program files and program files x86 folder onto my hdd, format my ssd, re-install windows, then copy the program files back over, should it be plain sailing from there and all the programs will be ready to use again?

 

I've done installs before, but never copying files back over that were already on the system. When i first got this SSD i just cloned my hdd onto the ssd, but now im noticing a few bugs in windows that even guides aren't fixing, and i figure a fresh install might be worth a try.

 

Is there anything i should avoid doing, and anything that i must definitely do in this process?

[bgibbz]

Simply copying over the program files folders will not work. I suggest backing up all data that is needed, and then wiping the drive using disk part -> clean. Then install os and manually install app programs. 

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, RKRiley said:

If i just copy my program files and program files x86 folder onto my hdd, format my ssd, re-install windows, then copy the program files back over, should it be plain sailing from there and all the programs will be ready to use again?

Unless it's already hacked software: no it won't work. Installing software is moar then just placing files in special locations. It's also adding lines to your registry.

 

Also, savegames are stored usually on different locations. Not in the program files directories.

[iRileyx]

2 minutes ago, bgibbz said:

Simply copying over the program files folders will not work. I suggest backing up all data that is needed, and then wiping the drive using disk part -> clean. Then install os and manually install app programs. 

 

1 minute ago, Dutch-stoner said:

Unless it's already hacked software: no it won't work. Installing software is moar then just placing files in special locations. It's also adding lines to your registry.

 

Also, savegames are stored usually on different locations. Not in the program files directories.

 

Is there any easy way to atleast copy the steam games/gta v back over? with my internet speed i really dont want to wait for those to download again

[Guest]

Not sure, I don't use steam... But just copying them files won't "just work". Also, there is most likely a big amount of crap files in them program files directories. I usually install my games in other directories, like for example, C:/Games/

That way, it's at leasy easy to check which games I had installed.

[Naeaes]

You can't just copy the files. Installable programs don't work that way. There are 3rd party tools that you can use for migrating the programs and files though. They get all the necessary registry entries and extra files and settings too and compress the whole thing into one file that's easy to copy back and forth. Run the migration preparation before the installation and the migration after. Easy peasy. Google for free software migration for windows or something. I'm talking about programs like Easeus ToDo.

 

Albeit, it's not really a fresh install if you don't actually freshly install everything.

[bgibbz]

16 minutes ago, RKRiley said:

 

 

Is there any easy way to atleast copy the steam games/gta v back over? with my internet speed i really dont want to wait for those to download again

Yes. Right click on the game in steam and click properties->local files-> backup. Backup onto a thumb drive and drop in your steam apps folder and it should speed things up. Alternatively, you can copy the steam apps folder over and reinstall. all the content won't have to be downloaded and steam will automatically install. Note- this method isn't as clean as backing up he game and reinstalling it. 

[henkka_scorpio]

13 minutes ago, RKRiley said:

Is there any easy way to atleast copy the steam games/gta v back over? with my internet speed i really dont want to wait for those to download again

Well, kinda. You can copy them to another disk and then when its all done you can move them back to the steam/steamapps/common folder or where ever you store them. And then you need to press download the game on steam and it should realize that you already have parts of it. you might have to download a file or two, but its a lot less than the 60gb of the whole game .  But I dont know where the savefiles are stored.

[henkka_scorpio]

1 minute ago, bgibbz said:

Yes. Right click on the game in steam and click properties->local files-> backup. Backup onto a thumb drive and drop in your steam apps folder and it should speed things up. Alternatively, you can copy the steam apps folder over and reinstall, al the content won't have to be downloaded and steam will automatically install. Note- this method isn't as clean as backing up he game and reinstalling it. 

The feeling when you are beaten by a single second  

[bgibbz]

Just now, henkka_scorpio said:

The feeling when you are beaten by a single second  

lol happens to me all the time