Ways to preserve your app data before a clean install
Ways to preserve your app data before a clean install
Perform a fresh setup of Windows 10 for a clean start. Ensure the flashing white screen stops after waking up. Tips on copying app settings files and reapplying them post-install. Look for all installed apps and bulk downloads. Consider using the Windows Media Creation Tool directly from Windows to flush the install or burn it onto a USB drive. The reset option in Windows will also perform a similar cleanup. Any additional advice would be greatly appreciated.
Applications often save their settings in various locations, such as the installation folder and AppData, making each app unique. There’s a website you can use to download multiple EXE files at once and bundle them into one installer package—though it doesn’t really speed up the process. Windows Media Creation Tool lets you generate a bootable USB drive if you’re doing a clean install from Windows. If you start fresh, it suggests using their tool, while I’d prefer to retain only essential files like Uni work or coding protection backups (which are already in Google Drive), leaving other items for later setup.
I was concerned about this outcome. Previously, after a fresh install from a pirated copy of W7 to a genuine version, I copied all the program files and reinstalled them. Most needed reconfiguration since the AppData wasn't visible. I'm unsure which method—clean install via Windows Media Creation Tool or a clean install on a bootable USB stick made with the same tool—would be best. As I upgraded, I read that I should skip the key part to avoid online validation. I also want to confirm whether the installation will verify my email or another process.
They are identical processes. Windows will guide you to download the program from memory. Skipping the key during installation is fine; once connected to the internet, it will verify your key. You won’t receive an email, but you can confirm activation in Update & Security > Activation. There you’ll see if Windows is activated or not.
For programs you need backups, focus on the AppData and ProgramData directories. Within these, check the folders containing program files and search for configuration files for any programs that are difficult to reconfigure.