Reinstalling Windows 95 Without Losing Programs or Registry Settings

[Harry Murphy]

My system is so screwed up right now that the only hope
I have is to reinstall Windows 95. I need to do this without losing
any of my programs or their registry settings. Could someone give me the
instructions of how to do this from Dos?

[Bleeding Edge]

I don't think it's wise to do it that way.

If your system has become that "screwed up," the chances are you have corrupt progarm files and registry entries.

A clean install in this case is preferable.

[Nathan]

Without a doubt I agree with B.E. There are no guarantees with a computer. I would back up your important files before doing anything else at this point.

[Jin Vitas]

well to reinstall win95 without losing progs there is a way.. but not keep registry settings.. u cant have both..

1. boot to dos with a bootdisk
2. go to c:\windows dir
3. attrib system.dat -h -s -r
4. ren system.dat to system.123
5. cd\
6. copy system.1st c:\windows\system.dat
7. restart computer (cold boot is best)
8. Windows will detect hardware and everything else (therefore get drivers ready)
9. Once in windows do a search for *.reg
10. select all and click File/Merge to merge them back into the registry.

NOTE: if still get errors.. u can either deltree windows dir.. and reinstall windows from scratch or (if that does not work)backup applications u cannot get back from installing..(data files) then format the harddrive.