I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR BRICKING YOUR DEVICE! THIS METHOD HAS BEEN CONFIRMED WORKING ON ALL OS'S. IT WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

Rooting will NOT reset your phone. You'll still have all your apps and phone info downloaded into it.

Rooting your device means obtaining superuser rights and permissions to your Androids software. With these elevated user privileges, you gain the ability to load custom software (ROMs), install custom themes, increase performance, increase battery life, and the ability to install software that would otherwise cost extra money (ex: WiFi tethering). You can also install many free apps using an app "blackmarket". Rooting is essentially hacking your Android device. In the iPhone world, this would be the equivalent to Jailbreaking your phone.

First of you're going to need to download a few things
For windows: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
For mac/linux: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]

First you'll need to prepare your phone for rooting. You need to click the 3 horizontal white lines in the bottom left hand corner of the phone. (not on the actual touch screen). Then you need to click settings, then applications and enable USB debugging and unknown sources. Then you will plug your phone into the computer using a USB connecter. You can find a USB connecter by pulling the cord out of the charger.
FOR WINDOWS
Install the driver onto your computer. Then extract the files that you download and double click on the Runme.bat file. Your phone should reboot and you should have a rooted phone!

FOR MAC/LINUX Open up terminal. On mac this can be accessed by going to applications-> utilities -> then terminal. On Linux I think you go under system tools then terminal. Then type into terminal After this you will need to type in this code if your using a mac and this code for Linux Your phone should reboot and be rooted!

You can use this helpful guide to install awesome apps if you're new to rooting Click me