Here are the BASIC steps involved in this process:

• Backup your data

• Erase and reformat your hard drive

• Copy and reinstall your Windows operating system

• Reinstall your hardware drivers

• Download and install all Microsoft critical updates

• Reinstall your programs

• Restore your data

• Install common utilities such as Acrobat, Flash, etc.

• Defragment your hard drive

Although this process sounds relatively simple and straight forward, it can take over 3 hours to complete and involves many more detailed steps not included in the above list. Here is a comprehensive listing of all the steps that must be completed:

1. backup all your documents

2. backup all your pictures

3. backup all your music

4. backup your emails (if not online)

5. backup your contact list (if applicable)

6. backup your favorites

7. backup your desktop

8. backup your templates

9. backup other data indicated by you

10. backup hardware drivers

11. then compare the size and file count of each folder to the size and filecount of the matching original folder to be sure nothing was missed

12. REPEAT THE ABOVE PROCESSES FOR EACH USER ACCOUNT

13. create a redundant backup of the entire batch on separate drive to lessen possibility of data loss due to backup hard drive crash

14. compare the size and file count of redundant backup to be sure nothing was missed

15. power off redundant drive and unplug power cords, network cables, etc. to isolate the backup in case of power surge

The above 15 steps above can take anywhere from 30" to several hours, depending on how much data you have stored and how many user accounts are on your computer. Here are the next steps:

1. reformat hard disk drive

2. copy operating system files to hard disk drive

3. install operating system

4. install hardware drivers (if not done automatically by install disk)

5. download and install malware protection

6. download and install Microsoft critical updates (80 or more files)

7. download and install common utilities such as Adobe reader, Flash, Shockwave, Java, etc.

8. restore user all user data

9. reconfigure email account(s)

10. reinstall user programs

11. defrag hard disk drive