Before you format your computer, make sure to back up these important folders.
For many people, the best thing to do when their computer stops working or they get a serious error is to reinstall Windows or format the device. This is a good solution, but we often forget to do something very important: protect our most important data.
Windows 11 itself provides options that allow us to keep our files during reinstallation. However, not all important files are saved in this default backup. Therefore, some important information may be lost.
Our documents, photos, downloads, and desktop are just the tip of the iceberg. There are hidden folders filled with program settings, passwords, browser bookmarks, and personal files. But in this article, we'll try to prevent this significant loss. We'll show you where these important folders are located, what they contain, and how to save them before reinstalling your operating system.
- Essential folders in Windows 11 operating system
Let's start with the most obvious thing, although it might be tempting to skip this step. First, our user folders contain the most easily accessible information:
- Downloads
Desktop
- the pictures
These are the locations where your operating system saves your files by default. If something goes wrong during the reinstallation process, you could lose these files, which Windows is supposed to protect during this process. So, don't leave it to chance. Simply copy all of these folders to an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or any cloud storage service that offers privacy and security before starting the reinstallation process.
However, it's also understandable that over time and with the increasing number of downloads, many users distribute their files across hard drives (HDDs or SSDs), or even into dedicated folders outside of these drives. The desktop is usually the central location for our files, so don't forget to check it.
In this folder, we find the true "treasure trove" of the operating system, though it's not as visible as the previous folders. This folder stores settings, temporary data, and custom files from all our applications. It contains three main subfolders: Roaming , Local , and LocalLow .
The Roaming folder is crucial, as it stores information synchronized between systems: browser bookmarks, passwords, user profiles, application preferences, and custom settings. For example, both Firefox and Chrome save their extensions, browsing history, and passwords in this folder.
In the Local folder, we find unsynchronized data, such as cache and temporary files, which are often unnecessary. It may also contain data from applications we use daily.
To access these folders, press the Windows key + R at any time and type "%appdata%" in the dialog box. This will take you directly to the Roaming folder, so you only need to navigate back to one folder in File Explorer to view the entire AppData directory.
Simply copy and paste the three folders into your storage drive to avoid losing this important data.
Other volumes you shouldn't forget
If you use specialized software, such as design programs, professional software, or even a video game you don't want to lose, you can also check the " Program Files" and "Program Files (x86)" folders. Keep in mind that this won't allow you to restore the programs immediately after cleaning your Windows system, but these folders store the databases and essential settings for their operation.
Finally, don't neglect the Windows Registry if you have important custom settings. Remember that it's a more complex file than a simple folder, so tools like Acronis, Macrium Reflect, and Windows Backup allow you to create full system backups, making it easier to restore later.