Saving personal settings on Vista ?

[Covert]

ok ive never ever made a backup of my Operating systems if somthing went wrong that couldnt be fixed i just used to format and start all over again, but now,

Ok i have sort of personalised Vista a little by adding better icons and ive just replaced my 30th icon when i though sh*t ill have to do this everytime i reinstall Vista unless......

.......So is there a way of backing just personal settings like Desktop backgrounds, sidebar gadgets, windows sounds etc etc?

If not then itll be the last time i personalise it as its too much hassle and takes ages......lol


Thank you for your time

[Covert]

Ooooooo.........k i take it it cant be done then or its too hard to explain

[Animatrix]

I never actually used it but i guess Windows Easy Transfer can do at least most of it. Otherwise you can use any backup or imaging software.

Description of Windows Easy Transfer for Windows Vista

[MrN]

I have a list of all the settings I make, that I keep updated.
It helps speed up the setup if I ever need to re-install.

Then, I use Clonezilla to make an image.
http://clonezilla.org/
So, if something ever goes wrong, I don't have to re-install.

[Jordus]

As Animatrix said the Easy Transfer should encompass what you are trying to do.

Also take a look at the User State Migration Toolkit as well, its more of an IT Pro tool that expands on Easy Transfer. (and is used in some of the Enterprise Deployment solutions from MS as well)

You could also use an image backup utility but if you are going to do that, try out Vista's built in Complete PC Backup. It makes a VHD snapshot of your system that you can simply plug into Virtual PC, Virtual Server 2005 or Hyper-V and boot up your entire Vista install incase your hardware dies.

Or you could always look at the free Windows Automated Installation Kit with Windows PE and ImageX to create a full image backup of your machine. File-based, non destructive, that you can plant back into any live file structure to browse your files. The Win7 Beta version of WAIK comes with DISM which will let you mount/view/edit VHD's as well.


There, more information than you ever wanted. LOL

[Animatrix]

Ah but good info never the less. Oh and long time no see Jordus

[Jordus]

Im around in phases.

Been busy lately

[Covert]

Thanks for the replies, ill have a good mess and see what i come up with