Restoring Files using Acronis

joel5200

I am going to do a clean install of Windows Vista and I have backed up my entire hard drive to an external HD using Acronis True Image. When I have installed Windows Vista how do I know which files/folders to restore as I am aware that program files install to various folders. presumably I resore everything apart from the Windows Folder/ any assistance would be much appreciated. I currently have Windows XP Home installed on my PC.

-TangleFoot-

Restoring files from an image of a completely different operating system is generally a Very Bad Idea, as each OS arranges files in a variety of different ways.

For example, in Windows XP your documents are stored in the following location:

C:\Documents and Settings\<Your Name Here>\My Documents

...with sub-folders for pictures, music and videos.

Whereas in Vista, your documents are arranged thus:

C:\Users\<Your Name Here>\Documents
C:\Users\<Your Name Here>\Music
C:\Users\<Your Name Here>\Pictures
C:\Users\<Your Name Here>\Videos

Furthermore, whilst the Program Files folder is in much the same state as it was in Windows XP installed applications tend to store varying amounts of information in the registry, which is kept deep inside the Windows folder in several pieces. Such a thing cannot be transferred between two operating systems seamlessly, so you'll have to reinstall each individual application in the more traditional manner.

Unless you're performing an in-place upgrade, the only thing you really need to back-up is the contents of the Documents and Settings folder.