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Question

What files should I backup before using 'system restore'?

Jan 9, 2015 8:10AM PST

I have many restore points to go back to. I'm going to try the most recent and go back from there until the problem has been fixed.

I just need to know what I should all backup. Will all of my internet explorer bookmarks still be there, and my firefox bookmarks?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
You should be doing that already. Microsoft writes:
Jan 9, 2015 8:12AM PST

"System Restore affects Windows system files, programs, and registry settings. It can also make changes to scripts, batch files, and other types of executable files created under any user account on your computer. System Restore does not affect personal files, such as e-mail, documents, or photos, so it cannot help you restore a deleted file. If you have backups of your files, you can restore the files from a backup."

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Answer
If you aren't making multiple full system backups...
Jan 9, 2015 8:54AM PST

...it's just a matter of time until you end up in a disaster due to one reason or another. Get yourself an external hard drive and back that system up ASAP!

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I have a 230 GB SATA HD and a 1 TB normal HD
Jan 9, 2015 8:27PM PST

the 1 tb hd is supposed to be the backup harddrive but I don't know how to preform backups so I can do a full system restore. I even have Norton and it doesn't even offer full system restore options, and I haven't seen any in Windows. It says something about a system image disk but I tried that once and could never get it to work.

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There're plenty of backup/restore programs available
Jan 9, 2015 11:10PM PST

Two I'm familiar with and like are Easeus Todo Backup Free, and Memeo which has a 30 day free trial and you can buy it for $29.99. Both of these will do incremental backups too.
The March 2012 issue of PC World was very high on the FREE program from Easeus and so is CNET. In my experience with a variety of configurations I have to say I'm very impressed. Like Ghost (which unfortunately is no longer on the market) it will back up to a networked drive, and it will create a boot CD for when your PC won't boot. Don't download from CNET unless you want to get malware, but you can see CNET's review of it at
http://download.cnet.com/Easeus-Todo-Backup-Free/3000-2242_4-10964460.html?tag=mncol;1#editorsreview .
You can download the Easeus program from here
http://www.easeus.com/backup-software/tb-free.html

Good luck.

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Answer
Check this
Jan 10, 2015 9:49AM PST

Windows restore will take your PC to earlier time and restore the same system files in the PC. but it will not restore any of your personal details. Like Pictures ,music, Videos,Doc... it won't restore. The changes will happen in only system files and registry files.

RESTORE FAQ


SYSTEM RESTORE