Upgrade Os And Backup Of My Pc

I would like to backup my files in case I have a problem while upgrading my OS. I've always been afraid to do backups because the ones I've done before couldn't be read so I lost a lot of files. This was years ago and I
wasn't quite sure how to make a backup even with the software. The backup went smooth but then it wouldn't read. There are some questions I have even tho I have read tons of information.
Mostly I know what to backup, but I'm considering just making a backup of my C: drive so I will get every thing I need. I know that my files aren't always where they should be so I'm afraid of missing some.
Is this a good idea or should I just clone the drive? I've decided to upgrade to Windows 10 (yikes) so I want ato wipe my pc and do a clean install. I know I have to many pieces of programs on my pc and my registry is a mess. I don't want to restore it at all. Which would be the best way to do I a backup? I have EaseUS installed. Will it get my Thuderbird mail?
Thanks

 

what are you using for backup storage? an external hard drive? for me, that is the best way. just hook up your external hard drive and you can manually copy all of your files over to it. then you can use explorer and browse your external hard drive and verify that you can access and read your files. once you are satisfied that your backup is good, eject the external drive and keep it unplugged until you have completely installed the new OS. as for email, in thunderbird, view the settings for this account -> server settings -> message storage -> local directory. this tells you where your email is stored. there is even a browse button that takes you to the appropriate folder. if you copy that folder over to the external drive, you have your email saved. actually, what is better, once your browse to the mail folder, go up in the directory structure and backup copy the folder called "ThunderBird". this contains your profile settings, profiles.ini file and everything. once you have installed the new OS, install thunderbird and go through the steps to create a new email account, but you can skip putting in some of the information. basically, you just want thunderbird to create the directory structure it wants to use so you know where to copy and paste your old profile into the new system. hope this helps.

 

No external hard drive yet so it will be DVD+RW.

 

I want to back up my C: drive. That will get every thing I should need right? I'm sure my files are everywhere so I
don't want to miss anything.

 

I recommend you put off this backup and upgrade until you have an external drive. Then you should install an imaging program such as Aomei Backupper and create an image of your current drive, storing the image on the external. You will then have a backup (image) with which you could revert to your present situation should the upgrade not go well, and from which all your files will be accessible after the upgrade if it it does go well. Forget all about trying to do this with DVDs and file backups.