Complete guide: How to root, backup, and flash new ROM and kernel on your HTC EVO

WARNING: Follow this tutorial at your own risk. Make sure you're OK with anything on your phone disappearing. Sync your contacts, backup what you can, and kiss your Angry Birds save point goodbye (unless you backup with Titanium Backup first).

Quick Note: I've added some steps to these great instructions from Good and Evo that I needed to take in order to get unrevoked3 on my Windows PC and recognize my HTC Evo so that the application would start the root process.  I hope this helps some of you out.

How to Root

You're going to need a couple of things downloaded to your Windows computer before you root:

• unrevoked3 (as previously mentioned, v3.3 works with the latest EVO software update)
• HBOOT drivers

Now let's get started.

1. INSTALL HTC Sync if you don't not have it on your Windows PC.  Once installed uninstall HTC Sync; you can re-install it later if you want to. (You must do this in order to get the correct drivers installed.)
2. Install the HBOOT drivers as per the instructions provided by the unrevoked team. (Even more drivers you need installed.)
3. Turn on USB debugging on your EVO by tapping Menu -> Settings -> Applications -> Development -> USB debugging. If you skip this step, unrevoked will fail after your phone reboots (failing will cause a window to pop up that said it failed).
4. Plug your EVO into your computer and make sure the USB connection is set to charge only.
5. Run unrevoked's reflash_package. (You will see the unrevoked3 application pop up and it will say waiting for device.  Now that you know your phone is in USB ONLY mode from the previous step and have the unrevoked3 window up waiting for your device you should unplug your phone and then plug it back in.  For some reason then get the unrevoked3 application to find your phone!)  The application with now run and reboot your phone a few times.
6. Once done the unrevoked3 application window with show that it's complete and your phone will be booted into it's recovery menu.  

Congrats! You're rooted. You can stop here if you want, or you can continue reading to see how far down the rabbit hole goes. You shouldn't have lost any data at this point.

Read More: Good and Evo


Once you're done with that scan the QR code below or click the link to head on over to xda-developers to grab your customer ROM with some installation instructions.