A local shop will unlock my htc wildfire to allow me to switch service providers, but this will erase all phone content - pictures, contacts etc.

I know that before the unlock I can plug my phone into my computer without special software and my computer will see it like a hard drive, allowing me to copy all folders from it onto the computer.

But after the unlock, what will the content of the phone look like? will it have a tree of empty folders, for which I have to do a restore one folder at a time, or will it just have a top level folder into which I can drag the folder tree I have backed up onto the computer?

even if it has a tree of empty folders you can still drag everything back in one go. folders will be created or updated as required.

what you'll have is some folders, less than you have now. but some.

it is not how i would do it though. i'd back up my apps using a special utility, like this one: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ppbackup&hl=en

copy the content over in the way that you have in mind. ie your photos, music, that sort of thing.

google cloud back up will handle your contacts provided that is set, as in your contacts appear here https://www.google.co.uk/contacts/#contacts

Thanks for the reply.

HTC have a backup utility as part of their PC software suite. This is the only way to backup a whole phone without rooting it first.

OP, have you tried your phone provider first for an unlock code? Could be cheaper, or even free!

I don't understand why the shop have told you that everything will be erased. I've just unlocked two HTC phones (due to Three dropping their charge) and all you do is request the unlock code, put in another network's SIM and then type in the code when the phone asks for it. Nothing changes apart from the fact that you can now use any other network.
As has been mentioned, get in touch with your own provider - if it's Three it won't cost you anything.