Backing up applications and files for switch to 32 bit

I have been complaining about my 64 bit Windows for 2 years now. I have lots of software that won't work, including my brand new camera software. I JUST found a cd with my original computer paperwork that I can use to install 32 bit!

But I need to understand the back up thing better. I am to create an application and driver recovery disc. What type of things will go on there? Is this applications that came with my computer or things I've added myself? Will all the things that came with my computer still be there on the new 32 bit OS, or do I have to back that up, too?
How do I know WHAT to put on the application and driver recovery disk?

And....I am to back up personal files. Does this mean just files or programs, too? For example, Final Media Player...it's not a file, but it's a program. Do I back this type of stuff up, too? How do I go about deciding what to back up?

Also, along those lines......would it not be a wise idea to go through all my files and get rid of things I don't need before I do any of this.....so I don't bring things I need to the new OS? For example, I have lots of documents that automatically download to my computer when I click on an e-mail attachment....picures, etc. This would take forever as they are scattered here and there in my documents. Or is there a way to just save those things you do want when backing up...rather than just the whole "my documents" folder, etc.

Thanks in advance
Dee

I went ahead and did the application and driver recovery disc thing. It made 4 discs....but I have no idea what it put on them?

Hello MamaDee6.





Have a good look through the tutorial at the link below as a starting point and we'll try to answer questions that come up one at a time ok.
Obviously you would not need to make backups of stuff you have no need of.


How to Backup Files in Vista

O.k., so I use the back-up and restore center. I went through all my user's (kids and I) accounts' music, document, and pictures, and I'll need about 40 GB of space. I'm assuming the best thing to do is get an external hard drive......

If I just check every category in the backup center, will that cover me? For example, my son wants to know if his music will still be in I-tunes, if they're only on I iTtunes, not in an actual computer file. Or is iTunes a program and won't be backed up? Is it just data files that are backed up in the backup and restrore center? Or....his computer games saved on Steam....Or....do I save things like Net Nanny that were downloaded from the internet?

My son thinks we should go through and delete any files we obviously don't need and then just save the whole C drive.....I think that would give us too much stuff we don't need.

I know a guy who does computer work and he would do this for me for $75. I'm considering this, since an external hard drive almost costs that much. But all our backed up info. would then be in one folder, which would make it harder to sift through to get the info. back where we want it on the computer.

Dee

Anyone?

Hello MamaDee6.





I've reached my experience level with backup questions, I just didn't want you to think you were being ignored; hopefully someone else will have some answers for you; keep checking back.