How do I set my computer with windows 7 back to factory settings? Also, the thing is my friend that gave it to me has about 450 gb worth of data on it that he wants to save. What is the best way to save his data so I can set the computer and windows 7 software back to factory settings? I thought about storing it online somehow...? I don't have any money and don't plan on spending any. He does have a new computer with more memory, but he wont transfer the data to his computer due to lack of data transfer connection hardware. Is there a way I can transfer the data from my computer to his computer wirelessly? Thank you.
📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses how to reset a Windows 7 PC to factory settings while preserving the friend's 450 GB of important data. The original poster asks for advice on data backup options, considering limited finances and no wired data transfer hardware. An expert recommends physically removing the drive to transfer data directly via cables for speed and reliability, noting that wireless transfer would be slower and less dependable; they also express surprise that the data wasn't backed up using free backup tools beforehand.
The thread discusses how to reset a Windows 7 PC to factory settings while preserving the friend's 450 GB of important data. The original poster asks for advice on data backup options, considering limited finances and no wired data transfer hardware. An expert recommends physically removing the drive to transfer data directly via cables for speed and reliability, noting that wireless transfer would be slower and less dependable; they also express surprise that the data wasn't backed up using free backup tools beforehand.
Solution
Trouble
Noob Whisperer
The quickest and most reliable way to transfer the data would be to remove the drive from the system that you now have and attached it to his new system and let him recover the data that is important to him with SATA or IDE cables as might be required.
The fact of the matter is no matter how you do it 450 GB of data is going to take a while.
Yes you could network the two and move it although that would be much slower and slightly less reliable especially over a wireless connection.
It is a bit surprising to hear that someone with that much critical data has not used other means to back up and secure that data. I would have thought that he might have used one of the many free methods like http://www.backup-utility.com/free-backup-software.html to have created a system image of the drive before giving it away.