I want to reboot my computer but keep microsoft office any advice?

i got a laptop off my sister but i wanna restore it to its factory settings but keep a few applications any way i can back them up so i dont have to pay for them againI want to reboot my computer but keep microsoft office any advice?
go to C:


program files


copy the microsoft office folder and write to a disc


reboot your pc


put the cd into the disc tray


copy the files back to somewhere on your hard drive


go into office 12 in your microsoft office folder


search with search companion ';.exe';


sort the files in size ascending


you will see these files:


EXCEL


OUTLOOK


MSACCESS


INFOPATH


ONENOTE


POWERPNT


WINWORD


GROOVE





Now to put them in an easy place





-Click on each individual one and right click copy


-On your desktop background right click copy shortcut


-now the logo for the particular application is on your desktop





this is the only way that i am aware of





when you copy back from the disc you don't need to put it in program files, it just has to be on your hard drive (or USB drive if your trying to get that)





I hope this guide helps





it will work, by the way ive done it many times!I want to reboot my computer but keep microsoft office any advice?
sorry, but Matt L's answer won't work. Windows needs to know where certain files and settings are in the Registry. just copying the files over to your newly restored computer will give you the files, but Windows won't know how to run the programs. this works on *nix machines, but not Windows.





if you could copy all the registry keys associated with Office (and any other programs you want to keep), then no problem (in theory). you might be able to find software or tutorials out there to help you do that. but otherwise, unless you have the install CDs (and reinstall after the restore) then you're kinda stuffed.





that said, you could use OpenOffice instead of MS Office after you restore the PC, which is free and can open MS Office .doc files, etc.
you will need the discs unless you have the key for office. You can call microsoft and let them know what you are trying to do, and see if they will let you reinstall it after you restore your pc.
If you have the original disks ;-)) No problem. Otherwise I don't think you can do it.