How to effectively do a factory reset/restore on your computer [Feature]

So here’s the deal.  Most people say that a computer can only last about five years before files begin to gunk up the system.  This is true, however they also say it can’t really be fixed.  False.

I’ve owned two laptops so far.  The only reason I had to get a second was because the first one literally fell apart.  Software on a computer can run practically forever, if you know how to fix it.  The only thing that hinders the longevity of a computer is, in fact, the physical hardware.  So, here’s how you get your computer to run just like it did the day they shipped it from the factory, and you pulled it out of the box.  WARNING: DOING A FACTORY RESTORE WILL DELETE ALL FILES AND PROGRAMS YOU PREVIOUSLY HAD ON YOUR COMPUTER.

1.  Before you even think about resetting your computer, you have to back up everything.  Be sure to back them up to an external hard drive, or a good computer. Start with your personal files.  This includes:

• Desktop
• Documents
• Downloads
• Music
• Pictures
• Videos
• Steam/Game Saves

2. The best software I found to backup game saves is "GameSave Manager."
3.  Next, determine which programs you want to have on your “new” computer. For example, you may currently have Adobe Reader installed on your computer.  After you reset the computer, all of your programs will be gone.  So you’ll need to re-install them.  Make a list of the programs you’ll want, and back up this list on your external hard drive.  Better yet, you can even make a physical list of the programs.

4.  Use a keyfinder (Magical Jelly Bean) to find all of the product keys for your programs, like Microsoft Office.  Make a note of these keys, and back it up onto your external hard drive.  This way, after the reset, you can re-install these programs and have the key on hand.  Better yet, you can even make a physical note of the keys.

5.  Make sure (if you have iTunes) to back up all files from the iTunes Media folder (i.e. Apps, books, music, etc.)  It’s not that you can’t get this information back from the iTunes store after the reset, it’s just easier this way.

6.  Finally, find a page on the internet that describes how to do a factory reset on YOUR computer.  Different brands of computer have different ways of doing it, so you have to find the right one for you.  Print the page, and follow the instructions.  When you’re finished, you’ll have your factory new computer.

7.  Plug in your external hard drive and copy all of the files back onto the computer.

8.  Use the list you created earlier to re-install your programs.