db.rambleschmack.net

Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Albert Einstein

What to Save for a Windows Reformat

This resource is intended to ensure you don't lose any important files when you do a Windows reformat. It is not exhaustive but should cover all important files the typical user will want to back up before they wipe everything else.

My Documents

And/or wherever else you store your files.

• Personal and work/uni files
• Program installers
• mp3 collection
• Photo/image collection

Email / Address Book

For Thunderbird, this is

C:\Documents and Settings\--\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\--\abook.mab

C:\Documents and Settings\--\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\--\Mail

C:\Documents and Settings\--\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\--\ImapMail

For Outlook / Express this is

Bookmarks

For Firefox, this is

C:\Documents and Settings\--\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\--\bookmarks.html

For Internet Explorer, this is

Settings

This covers a whole variety of stuff. Consider the things that you can't easily set up again.

• Usernames and passwords for things that usually log in automatically.
• Phone number, login etc for your dialup connection.
• Template files, autocomplete files, userChrome.css etc.

Other People's Stuff

If other people use your computer, they would probably like to be asked before you delete all their stuff.

Checklist

• Personal and work/uni files.
• Program installers.
• mp3 collection.
• Photo/image collection.
• Email.
• Address book, Junk mail filters etc.
• Bookmarks.
• Usernames, passwords, dialup phone number etc.
• Template files, autocomplete files, userChrome.css etc.
• Other people's stuff.

This list was compiled by db with contributions from others in this forum thread. Feedback or suggestions via either of these channels is welcome.

© 2005-7 DB

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