If you have the time, it's not so bad
I just did this:
1) Copied all my files to an external drive (eg documents, pictures, videos, music, desktop and downloads). Don't forget downloads, they could have your program installers in.
2) Screenshot your list of installed programs in control panel and add those screenshots to the external drive with the files. To remember what you had installed!
3) I don't back up bookmarks as have a firefox account, so all I need to do after reinstall is sign into that in firefox and all my bookmarks are back - quick and easy to get up and running on the internet again.
Assuming you have installers for programs saved in downloads, or can easily redownload the program, and have any activation keys for specific purchased programs saved somewhere, you then just install Windows 11 from USB. That bit is quite quick!
Doing the settings can be time consuming - but you could always just follow my checklist in the first post! Except I missed off checking Location was turned off (if you want it turned off).
Then do a system image so you don't have to do all the settings again if you need to reinstall in future.
Then add all the programs back. Then do another system image. So you have one with all programs on to reinstall in future.
Then copy all your files back.
It can be quite satisfying once done.
Someone else might have a better option/way of doing it!
It's getting the 6TB of games across 5 drives working again. Steam games are a piece of cake. Just reinstall the Steam client and direct it to your game folders. UBISoft will also allow you to find installed games. The other clients, EA Origin and Epic have no mechanism for discovering existing installs so you need to redownload them.
