By default your critical data is almost always stored in the "Documents and Settings" folder (Windows XP) or the "Users" folder (Windows Vista, Windows 7).  Yes, even items on the desktop are all contained within "Documents and Settings" or "Users", although beware that items on the desktop may be merely "shortcuts" to the files (and not the actual files, so maker sure the shortcuts lead to items found in these fore mentioned core folders.

Beware that some critical files or settings may or may not be located OUTSIDE of "Documents and Settings" or "Users". For example there are a few very obscure programs that save documents and / or settings inside the "Programs" folder, such as Intuit's QuickBooks, MicroSoft Money 2003, eMule, older versions of Quicken, Cam Studio, Media Studio Pro, and World of Warcraft (downloaded patches and mod folders).  You or someone else who uses the computer may have also saved something of importance in a non-standard location such as just inside the C drive, or inside of a different folder other than "Documents and Settings" or "Users". To be sure you should look around and check. If you happen to find something then copy and paste it into a new folder in the "Documents and Settings" or "Users" folders.

PCR recommends manually copying and pasting ALL contents of these core folders to an external hard drive (while logged on as the administrator user).  Better safe than sorry! 

Also you should DEFINITELY export (save) your certificate(s) if you have encrypted folders and files, critical Internet Explorer passwords or other "secure" data.  This can only be done from the computer and specific user that the certificate belongs to, and that computer must be bootable to the desktop.

Some people rely on the Windows XP "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard".  It's OK to use this wizard if you have anything important to save from the list below, however PCR does NOT recommend relying on this wizard alone!!!! By default this tool filters OUT many file types unless you manually instruct the wizard to do otherwise. Also when actually performing the migration, it is absolutely critical that you are logged in as the user whose files and settings you're migrating at that time. If you have had multiple user accounts using your "old" computer, then you can ONLY migrate one user's files and settings at a time!

Using the Windows XP "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard" you can back up the following:

Internet Explorer settings - This includes items such as your home page URL, favorites or bookmarks, cookies, security settings, dial-up connections, and proxy settings.
Outlook settings and store - The settings that you need to connect to your mail server, your signature file, views, mail rules, local mail, and contacts.
Outlook Express settings and stores - The settings that you need to connect to your mail server, your signature file, views, mail rules, local mail, and contacts.
Dial-Up connections

Outlook Express settings and stores

Dial-Up connections

Phone and modem options

Fonts

Folder options

Taskbar settings

Mouse and keyboard settings

Regional options

Network drives and printers

Desktop folder

My Documents folder

My Pictures folder

Favorites folder

Cookies folder

Accessibility

Screen saver selection

Sounds settings

Office settings

Common Office file types

 

The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard does NOT backup certificates, passwords, encrypted files and folders. A certificate (if any) must be exported manually from a bootable computer.

 

 

 

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