How to have a fresh new Windows XP without reinstall and without losing files.

In the beginning I use this procedure to restore corrupted system file on a high critical machine. But then I try to use the first step of the restore process to have a fresh windows on a system infected by a virus or spyware.

In my experience, this procedure is safe and it save me a lot of time also.

Here's the procedure.

1. Go to recovery Windows XP console.
- Insert your Windows XP installation CD into CD/DVD drive and restart your system.
- When it prompt "press any key to start from CD", do it.
- On the Welcome to Setup" screen, press R to start the Recovery Console


2. On the recovery console, type the following command and press enter after each line.

md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

delete c:\windows\system32\config\system
delete c:\windows\system32\config\software
delete c:\windows\system32\config\sam
delete c:\windows\system32\config\security
delete c:\windows\system32\config\default
copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy c:\windows\repair\software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy c:\windows\repair\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy c:\windows\repair\default c:\windows\system32\config\default


The procedure end here. Type exit to restart your system and you will have a fresh new Windows XP in less than 10 minutes.

What I like most with this procedure is that it's only refresh your windows and it didn't delete users files and folders. I just need to go to Documents and Settings folder(hidden), find the specified user and all the file is there.

Now the drawback is, all previous installed programs can't be used. I need to go to Program Files folder and manually delete the old programs folder before proceed with the new installation.