Below are very detailed instructions to manually backup your phone, unlock the bootloader, restore, root, and install Clockwork Mod Recovery.  These instructions are as fool-proof as it gets.  If you have any questions reach out on the forums, there will always be people there to help.

SPRINT USERS: You can unlock the bootloader and root with these instructions, however you cannot flash Clockwork Mod Recovery.  I will update as soon as it's available.

Unlocking the bootloader will wipe the Galaxy Nexus.  If you have been using the phone for a while you may want to backup first.  If you do not want to backup you can skip to step 4. Unlock The Bootloader

1. Verify your phone is On, plugged into the back of the computer, and USB debugging is turned on
2. Copy sdcard contents to your computer, such as music, files and pictures
3. Open the “C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools” folder
4. Open a command prompt
1. Press and hold the shift key and right click in the folder window
2. Select Open Command Window Here
5. In the command prompt type “adb backup –apk –shared –all –f /backup/mybackup.ab” and press Enter
1. This will create a backup folder, and save the backup to “c:/backup/mybackup.ab”
2. It will backup your app data + the apks
6. On your phone you should see the screen on the right
7. Create a simple password
1. Make this easy to remember
2. You must not forget this password
8. Select Back up my data
1. This may take several minutes. When its complete a screen will say backup complete, and the phone with return to the homescreen
9. On the computer, go to the “C:\backup\” and verify there is a file labeled mybackup.ab
10. You have successfully backed up your phone

If you did not make a backup in step 3. Backup Phone With ADB Backup, skip this step

1. Verify your phone is On, plugged into the back of the computer, and USB debugging is turned on
2. Open the “C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools” folder
3. Open a command prompt
1. Press and hold the shift key and right click in the folder window
2. Select Open Command Window Here
4. In the command prompt type “adb restore C:\backup\mybackup.ab” and press Enter
5. When the phone shows the Full restore screen, type in the password you created in the Backup your phone with ADB section
1. This may take several minutes, be patient
6. You have now restored your phone

Some experience driver issues.  If this happens to you, the easiest solution is to install PDAnet.  PDAnet is a tethering application.  While we don’t need it to tether it does have a nice set of drivers that work perfect.  PDAnet will install to your computer and to your phone.  Once the drivers are installed you may uninstall the PDAnet app from your phone.

1. Use USBDeview to remove the Samsung drivers
1. Triple check there are no other conflicting drivers
2. Download and install PDAnet for Android to your computer
   
1. PDAnet for Windows (x86) 32bit: Download Link / Mirror Link
2. PDAnet for Windows (x64) 64bit: Download Link / Mirror Link
3. Launch the PDAnet .exe file
4. Follow the Setup Wizard
1. If a USB driver found message pops up, select Yes
2. If any publisher warnings pop up, select yes, continue with installation
5. A USB Driver Installation window will pop up
1. Make sure the phone has USB debugging turned on
1. Go To Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging
2. Connect phone to the Computer with the USB cable
1. If it’s a desktop computer use a USB port on the back
3. Click OK
4. If any autoplay windows pop up, close them
6. When the Install to Phone window pops up
1. Launch the PDAnet app on your phone
2. Select USB Tether Mode to turn it on
1. Select No, Already Installed when it prompts to install desktop client
3. Click OK on Computer
7. Setup – PDAnet window, Installation Succeeded
1. Uncheck Display Incoming SMS on computer
2. Uncheck Hide Tether Usage
3. Click Finish
8. Open the “C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools” folder
9. Open a command prompt
1. Press and hold the shift key and right click in the folder window
2. Select Open Command Window Here
10. In the command prompt Type “adb devices” and press Enter
1. If you see a string of letter and number appear, continue
2. If not, ask for help in the forums, be as detailed as possible
11. Boot the phone into Fastboot
1. In the command prompt Type “adb reboot bootloader” and press Enter
12. Wait for the phone to boot the to screen with Andy the Android on his back with a door open on his front
13. In the Windows Command Prompt Type “fastboot devices” and press Enter
1. If you see a string of letter and number appear, continue
2. If not, ask for help in the forums, be as detailed as possible
14. Reboot and continue to step 3. Backup Phone With ADB Backup
1. You can also uninstall the PDAnet app from your phone