With that, you're done. Not only do you now have a fresh setup with everything newly installed just the way you want, but you also have three backups. You can, if need be, quickly get back to the original as-delivered-from-the-factory setup; or to a fresh, new, virgin operating system setup; or to a perfect, full-blown operating system and applications setup.

In my work I find I use that last backup a lot, especially when I'm testing software. I'll copy my data files to a safe place, then run the tests without worry that the new software will ruin anything. When I'm done, I'll restore my system from the "perfect new full setup", then copy my data files back, and pick up where I left off with a known-good, rock-solid setup. It makes my system essentially bulletproof!

Of course, running through a 20-step setup process is a hassle and it's clearly not for everyone. But taking the extra time, one time, up front, to get everything perfect pays off again and again over the years because you can restore your system to perfection in its entirety--operating system, apps, everything--in just minutes.

Or you also can cherry-pick, using only those steps that make sense for you, if you needs are less rigorous than mine. You even can adapt the same overall process for use on older systems, too--it's never too late to start perfecting and preserving your PC setup!

But that's what I do. What about you? Please join in the discussion: What tricks or techniques do you use? What tips can you share? What steps do you take to get your system running smoothly? Join in!

To discuss this column with other readers, please visit Fred Langa's forum on the Listening Post.

To find out more about Fred Langa, please visit his page on the Listening Post.