How do I back up before a factory reset?

[MI55]

Hi all.
So I just got the GD2 update and I read on here that I need to do a factory reset before I get all the functions....
So, how do I back up first?
What will I lose?
Is it painless lol ?

 

[Need4Geek]

First of all, check if you have backup enabled (go to Settings and then Backup), here's a list of the stuff that will be saved to the cloud. This stuff is automatically restored when you set up your Microsoft Account again.
Make sure to create a backup of your photos, videos and music on your PC or in the cloud. Unfortunately, you will lose apps data (like game saves or preferences inside single apps) because there's no way to back them up, so make sure you have nothing important.
I think this is all you need to know.

 

[MI55]

Very useful, thanks, so just my start menu that I will have to reset?
All my apps like facebook/twitter will be saved and still logged in or do I have to log in again?
xx

 

[Need4Geek]

After the reset you will have to reinstall each app you had previously. You don't have to pay twice for apps you already bought. You can reinstall both free and paid apps from windowsphone.com.
And yes, you have to log in again as you're going to reinstall the entire app.

Edit: remember to create a backup of your photos, music and videos as they'll be deleted too after the reset.

 

[MI55]

Aha, so if I click reinstall on my laptop it pushes the app to the phone?
Sorry for silly Q's xx

 

[Need4Geek]

Exactly.

 

[MI55]

Perfect xx

 

[Doohickie]

When I did a reset, most of the apps re-loaded by themselves. If you've done a backup I think it will attempt to reload each app in your purchase history. (There were a couple that didn't work because I put a Samsung app on my HTC phone, and one or two apps no longer existed at the level in my purchase history, but the rest loaded.)

About all I had to do was sign into my email accounts and rearrange my tiles back to the way I had them before the reset.

 

[MI55]

Thanks Doohickie, I'm gonna do the reset at the weekend when I don't need my phone for work so I'll let you go how it works for me

 

[BaritoneGuy]

When I did a reset, most of the apps re-loaded by themselves. If you've done a backup I think it will attempt to reload each app in your purchase history. (There were a couple that didn't work because I put a Samsung app on my HTC phone, and one or two apps no longer existed at the level in my purchase history, but the rest loaded.)

About all I had to do was sign into my email accounts and rearrange my tiles back to the way I had them before the reset.

+1 same thing for me. Plus the pain in the **** of recreating your start screen layout.

 

[MI55]

Is there not an app that will save your homescreen layout like on android?

 

[Aniruddh Sharma]

Take screenshots of your home screen and save 'em!