Backup for a clean reinstall

WD External and Portable SSD Portable SSD
1

Hello,

I want to do a clean reinstall on my computer and want to know if I should backup the file backup and the category backup

to reinstall after i format my hard drive. Have never done this before but after 5 years my computer could use some help.

I am not too tech savvy so any suggestions and advise will be helpful .  I have a Dell which does have a Factory image restore feature but want to back up  operating system . I did make a system  recovery disk which i think has the operating system but I am a little nervous about the whole process.

   thanks to all     tom

2

Hi tomee43, if you plan on reinstalling Windows, you can backup your files either manually (Copy/Paste) or using a backup software (Windows Backup, Smartware, etc). For the steps on how to use both click on the following links. 

How to create a category backup using WD SmartWare

Windows backup

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/backup-and-restore

3

I would copy the files manually and double check them. If there is a problem with the backup you may not know it until it is to late.

Joe