Solved How to I restore backed up files

Hello,
I would like to format my laptop and install a new version of Windows 8 and I've backed up all my files in an external hard drive.
Now, the files are in a folder of the hard drive and they are divided in lots of Winrar files.

My question is: after I will have deleted everything from my laptop and installed the new Windows 8, how do I restore the backed up files? Do I have to extract the files from every Winrar file? I bet there is a much quicker way of doing it!

Thank you for you help

Did you use WinRAR to make the backups? That would not be my first choice. But if yes, then you should use the same program to extract them. You would need to extract each file to the new folder (such as Documents folder). I think WinRAR lets you move/extract groups of files, so you would just select all the files in the Documents folder on your backup drive and WinRAR will extract them all at once to the new Documents folder.

But I would suggest you look at Macrium Reflect (free) Macrium Reflect Free It designed for backing up computer files. You can backup your files/folders, make a clone, system image, etc.

I didn't choose it! I just used the back up function of Windows 8, plugged an external hard drive, and everything was done automatically!
I'm gonna have a look at that software anyway, thank you!

Are these data files or programs?

Oh. I see, you used Windows backup. Then see this tutorial http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/9044-backup-restore-files-folders-windows-8-a.html

This article has a detailed operation about Windows' backup and restore , you can refer to it :
How to Back Up and Restore with an External Hard Drive | eHow
If the backup or restore process fails, you can also choose other third-party software like Best free backup software for Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, etc - EaseUS Todo Backup Free

The quickest way, which is not really that quick with cloning Windows 8. I use Clonezilla to do whole disk images, as long as I restore to the original sized drive that the image came from. If you end up having a drive crash on you. In that kind of case, I use EaseUS todo Workstation for Sector by Sector cloning, to get data off of a failing drive, so I can recover as much as I can.

With Clonezilla and my NAS, I run probably around an hour to an hour and a half tops, depending on how much data is stored on the drive in the computer.

@bro23, if OP does a clone and a restore won't that put him back in exactly the same place he's at now? I think he wants to do a "clean" install )perhaps an upgrade to a different version) and then restore only his data files (documents, pictures and such). Perhaps OP can clarify what he/she wants to accomplish.

Since this isn't necessarily a backup (because it isn't meant to run more than once), why not just simplify the process? Copy over your data to the external drive. It is your computer, so you'll know where the important things are stored. Disconnect the external drive. Then, format and install Windows on the laptop, and once it is set up, reconnect your external drive and copy your data back to the appropriate places.