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I need to reinstall Windows 8 but want to keep an important folder, C:\Data. What folders are saved in _windows.old_? Are manually created folders in the root of the hard disk copied?

At the moment, there is no possibility to copy these files manually.

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  • Sorry for my bad English. Feel free to edit the post. Apr 4, 2016 at 15:27
  • Are you reformatting or are you doing an upgrade?
    – root
    Apr 4, 2016 at 15:30
  • @root - reformatting. Apr 4, 2016 at 15:32
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    "These files must not be lost! " Then back them up to another drive!
    – Moab
    Apr 4, 2016 at 16:09
  • Since you don't have access to another hard disk, I'd suggest backing up the important files to Dropbox, Google Drive or any other cloud storage provider before you proceed with the re-installation.
    – Vinayak
    Apr 4, 2016 at 16:35

1 Answer 1

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The Windows.old folder is only created when doing a Windows upgrade or if you install Windows on top of an existing installation. When reformatting, you are essentially deleting everything from your drive, then reinstalling the operating system - thus keeping nothing from the original installation.

After an upgrade, the Windows.old will contain files and folders found from your user profile, and do not include folders you've created in C:\.

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    "The Windows.old folder is only created when doing a Windows upgrade." - This is partial false. It also is created if you install Windows ontop of an existing installation. The reason I say only partially false is because that is what initially happens doing an upgrade installation.
    – Ramhound
    Apr 4, 2016 at 17:03

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