What to backup before reinstalling Windows 98

You may wish to print these instructions for reference during installation.

This is a partial list of what you MUST backup prior to running the Quick Windows 98 Install:
  1. Everything in C:\My Documents
  2. Internet Explorer Favorites and/or Netscape Bookmarks

To backup Favorites, either copy the C:\Windows\Favorites folder or select "Export Favorites" from the FILE menu within Internet Explorer and copy the HTML output file.

To backup Bookmarks, copy the bookmarks.htm file from "C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\<username>" directory.

  1. Export E-mail and Address Book (Outlook Express, Outlook 97/98/2000, Netscape Composer, etc.)
  2. Unique data from all installed programs (i.e., ICQ/Yahoo Messenger Contact List, data from applications not stored in C:\My Documents, application keys/serial numbers, individual program settings, user created templates (*.DOT for example), custom dictionaries (*.DIC files), wallpapers (*.BMP in the Windows directory or *.JPG in the "Windows\Web" directory, screen savers (*.SCR), etc.).

Prior to reinstalling Windows, locate the necessary device drivers.  If you cannot find the original disk(s) that came with the computer, you can search from them via the Drivers page or the Internet.

Also, it would be a good idea to verify the availability of all existing installed software before proceeding!!  :)

Good Luck!!!