Possible to overwrite OS with a back-up copy?

Question

I never did this b4 nor i have any idea if this work. please tell me if this works or not..

right now i have 100% working OS with softwares n there updates. OS with software is in C: drive n nothing more in it. size is about 6.5GB.

say i have backed up the entire C: drive in DVD, n due to some reason i had to format my OS drive erasing all the softwares n updates.

if i install the OS again after formatting, is it possible that i copy paste/overwrite the OS with the back up i made consisting of the installed softwares,updates.

will the running OS allow overwriting? or i will i have to overwrite it in dos mode, n if in dos mode then what will be the commands for it.

gets fed up with installing softwares wasting time in updates...so was wondering if i can cut the installing n updating part as i have quite a lot softwares installed.


I use winxp pro as my OS.


thank u.

Answer 1

If you have done a full backup of your drive, why would you not just restore from the backup? As long as your backup program would allow backing up individual files AND you know which files need to be restored to replace the updates, then this would indeed work as you have stated.

Since you have already formatted, you may as well try and see what happens.