A few days ago, my taskbar and Start menu decided to stop working, and it's been affecting nearly everything I do. After talking with at least 3 Microsoft Techs, I was offered to refresh my computer, which would "delete my apps, but keep my files and folders". As it turns out, I have a lot of apps--most of which are either no longer available for purchase, download, or loan from a friend. I know this is more than likely part of the problem, but I need to find a way to back up said apps so I don't lose them forever. I tried backing up my entire C drive, but there wasn't enough space on my backup HDD. I had a few others from several years back, but for some reason they're not displaying when I plug them in. My computer makes the 'Device Added' noise, but nothing else happens. Once I'm sure my applications are backed up safely, I plan to refresh the computer and (hopefully if this solves the problem) restore them bit by bit until I can isolate the troublemaker.

So I guess my main question is this: I've got both the 32 and 64 bit Programs Files folders backing up right now--are there any other application areas that I need to backup as well? Since I can't back up the entire C drive(and to be honest, I'm not that jazzed about having to buy a SIXTH external), what else do I need to save to prevent a total loss?

My father's been having the exact same issue, even the same response. This sucks, bro...

Short of backing up the entire OS drive, but you can probably legally download cracked copies of your apps, since you do own them, I guess (assuming there's an ethical issue, of course).

When I worked in IT I saw a similar problem on some XP systems. Finding the explorer.exe (I think it was in system32 folder) and replacing it with a known good version of explorer.exe fixed the issue. You can download a good copy of explorer.exe for Win10 online but try to be absolutely surely sure that you are getting it from a reliable source. Not sure of how computer savvy you are, but if this seems to complicated then don't worry about trying it. It only worked a couple of different times for me, usually did nothing noticeable.

My father's been having the exact same issue, even the same response. This sucks, bro...

Short of backing up the entire OS drive, but you can probably legally download cracked copies of your apps, since you do own them, I guess (assuming there's an ethical issue, of course).

Only problem is, most of 'em aren't even available to download (legally or illegally) any more. Some of them I don't remember where they came from because of a vague name or from a while back. I know for certain I have a handful of programs with single use activation keys and the stupid thing will think that I'm installing it on a 2nd computer.

It's not that much more space; of any of my hard drives were working, I could transfer the rest to the next one, but none of them show up!

If you are going to try this, I'd recommend pulling it from another working computer that you know isn't infected with viruses.

Or, you know, get a mac. :P

I'd gladly send you my explorer.exe, Morpheus. Hit me up on the e-mail I've listed here, if you need it.

Or, you know, get a mac. :P

And lose all his apps? Nah...

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That invisible folder likes to hide some preferences, logs, and actual program files you'll need to restore.

Example: The only way to restore your Skype logs is to keep your main.db file in the Roaming folder.

Most of the stuff that you'll care about is under Roaming.

I'm copying that folder now. I have that and my two Program Files folders. Any specific others you think I'd need? I'm about to drop the ax.

Every time I try to copy it, the progress gets to 99%, then the speed gets to 0 bytes per second, transferring a bunch of numbers/letters and it gets stuck like that forever.

The majority of it is finished, though so I'm not too worried.

If there's any other folders or files that anyone here can think of that I need to save, let me know now. I'm about to take the plunge! Wish me luck.