FOLDER RESTRUCTURING of your MIGRATED RAW PERSONAL DATA

Why would I need to "restructure" my raw personal data?  What exactly is that?

After reinstalling Windows, a brand new "user" account and respective folder structure is created, and newly installed programs (such as iTunes, Microsoft Office, Adobe PhotoShop, TurboTax, etc) will set up personal data storage folders WITHIN that new folder structure. By default, those programs will also LOOK inside those new folders to save or open associated files.

Just as an example, under Windows XP, iTunes looks for and stores mp3 files in... C:\Documents and Settings\[new user account name]\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\   Without moving your personal data files into the new locations, iTunes won't know that your migrated MP3 files are actually located in... C:\Documents and Settings\[new user account name]\Desktop\Raw Data Backup\Documents and Settings\[old user account name]\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\

The best solution is to move your personal files (such as word documents, mp3 files, mpeg files, TurboTax files, etc) into the new folder structure.

Is folder restructuring of raw data even necessary if the (Vista / Windows 7) Windows Easy Transfer tool is used to migrate my data?

No. The Windows Easy Transfer should do all of the folder restructuring on its own. The problem is that the Windows Easy Transfer only works from a computer that will boot to the desktop. A badly virus infected computer may prevent access to the desktop or prevent the Windows Easy Transfer Tool from working as it should. This is when the need may arise to restructure folder structure of personal data.

 

Can I do this myself?

Absolutely. In fact it is encouraged and recommended! You and only you know your data best. While folder structure may be confusing to figure out at first, knowing exactly where your data is located is something that all computer users really NEED to know!  Ideally after reinstalling Windows you would pick and choose just the files that you need (such as Word documents, MP3 files, etc) and later delete the junk files that inevitably are backed up with the "raw data" backup.

Do my old saved "local" email data files need to be moved into the new user folder structure?

Yes, and not just moved -- Mozilla Thunderbird, Outlook, Outlook Express and other "local" email programs need to be not just moved to the appropriate folders (which are hidden) but also "imported". This folder structure and process is particularly confusing to computer users. If you are paying for a "folder restructuring" ($20.00) then PCR will restore your "local" email client data (inbox, sent, trash, drafts, etc) and restore your user account settings so that you can send and receive emails just as you did before using the aforementioned software programs. Doing so will require your email account name and password that you set up with your Internet service provider (ISP).

 

Do my old saved browser data files need to be moved into the new user folder structure?

Yes, and like "local" emails, some browser data must be imported. Fortunately Internet Explorer bookmarks (also known as "Favorites") can simply be moved into the correct folder without any need for an "import" process.