Can you get old files from previous windows installation on fresh windows install?

Question

On windows 7 this is on. So I want to reinstall my windows for a fresh start as I felt my system was getting clogged before but I don't have any means of saving some important files on here. I was told I could just keep the files on here and reinstall windows and go into my old.windows folder on my C drive and be able to open my previous version of my installed windows and get the files from there. Can this be done? can someone please give me a brief step by step guide on how to do this? thx.

Answer 1

Look on your hard drive for a folder that says: windows.old - it would be right by the windows folder.

Answer 2

Some of the old windows setup system CD/DVD's use to offer a non destructive install. This used to put the the data into a file called windows old folder or something like that.

The recovery procedures now used I don't think any offer that now so you will have to backup any data you do not want to loose yourself

Answer 3

Back up to an external hard drive or you loose your personal data, you want to take you computer back to day 1 so it will format the drive. If you have a DVD you select custom install, or there is another option to just do the Operating System. I would delete window.old folder if all is well you have to install not put them in place? You were told wrong.

Answer 4

if you perform a reinstall... Windows will put your old installation into a folder (C:\Windows.old). All you do is click on it to open... and go to c.. users..etc.. and you will see everything from your old install... then you can just copy over all your documents.. music.. and stuff to your new install... very simple... if you are worried... just burn to a DVD all your important stuff... or email files to yourself.. and open them up when you are done with the reinstall.