Address books and Favorites lists can best be saved using those
tools.... for example, if you open Internet Explorer, look under the "File"
menu for "Import and Export...", click on that, and you can export your
Favorites (also known as bookmarks) to a file. These can then be "Imported"
once you have reloaded your system later (obviously, save them to a floppy
or CD so you don't lost them when you reformat). Address books have similar
options, but will allow different formats when you save. You might want to
save those in a couple of different formats just in case, but procedure is
the same.
I don't know of any way to save the email you have received, and recover
it later. Best I can suggest is to open any that are important and save
them as text files you can refer to later (which is a better idea anyway).
Other things to save would include any important documents or templates
you may have created ... that will depend on what kind of word processor you
use, if you have any that are important at all. Most of the documents
themselves will probably be in your "My Documents" folder anyway.... but if
you created or designed specialized templates to use or macros of some kind,
you'll have to remember what they are and where you put them. (You'll know
if you have done this...)
Also, any personalized settings (different wallpapers you have
downloaded to use as backgrounds for your desktop, programs you have
downloaded to use from the internet...) should be backed up. Programs (such
as adaware and spyware removers) can be downloaded all over again, but it's
usually faster to save a copy of the installer program in the first place
(installs faster from local drives than it downloads). If you have updated
drivers for your hardware, and still have the installers saved to do that,
you might want to save those as well, for the same reason. Also, if you
have a downloaded virus scanner, firewall, or any of that type of
protection.... make SURE you can get that back right away before you start.
Updates to same may not be available without installing, depending on what
you use, but at least get the basic program handy.
That's the most important stuff I can come up with, based on my
experience.
