W 10 Backup Question

[mr__ed]

I use a Toshiba laptop running W10 Anniversary edition (home). I want to back up all my files, including the OS. My question is: Do I need to purchase a program like Acronis, or can I use the backup utility already on my PC? I plan to use a 1TB external HDD. Thanks for your assistance.

[mr__ed]

Thanks for the explanation. 🙂

[sherlock62]

mr. ed wrote:
Thanks. By coincidence, I was reading a PC magazine this morning which also verified the same thing: version 1607 or higher is the updated version. That probably explains why it took so long for the updates to download and install after I reinstalled W 10.

The Anniversary Edition install is quite an operation. The install process involves removal of the current Win 10 install on your hard drive, prepares the HD and then the Win 10 Aniv. installs on the hard drive and brings back all your settings, etc.. The Anniv. Edition does not just write over or say modify your current Win 10. Along with this, the Anniv. install also does all Windows updates available on Microsoft's servers. Again, quite an operation and does take some time.

[mr__ed]

Thanks. By coincidence, I was reading a PC magazine this morning which also verified the same thing: version 1607 or higher is the updated version. That probably explains why it took so long for the updates to download and install after I reinstalled W 10.

[sherlock62]

mr. ed wrote:
Here's another question: I'm not absolutely sure, but I may already have the anniversary edition of W 10. The info below shows what version I'm running, but I don't know if these describe W 10 anniversary. What say you?

version1607 (OSBuild 14393.447)

Version 1607 is in fact the Anniversary Edition of Win 10. So, yes, you have the Anniversary Edition and YES, it is the most current build (OS Build 14393.447) as of today, 11/25/16.

[mr__ed]

Here's another question: I'm not absolutely sure, but I may already have the anniversary edition of W 10. The info below shows what version I'm running, but I don't know if these describe W 10 anniversary. What say you?

version1607 (OSBuild 14393.447)

[mr__ed]

sherlock62 wrote:

mr. ed wrote:
Well, I'm back to normal now. Just reinstalled W 10 yesterday. Went without a hitch, but very slow process. Didn't cost anything except my time. :C

Good news! Did you end up using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to get the program on USB stick? IF you did, you have installed the Win 10 Anniv. edition (current offering) of Win 10 with updates.

If you do not like "Cortana" in the task bar and would rather have just a search (magnifying glass icon) icon in the task bar let me know and I can tell you how to accomplish this easily.

I did use the media creation tool, but there was no reason to download it to a thumb drive. All I did was open the tool in 'downloads' and it went from there. I'm now in the process of restoring files from Norton backup

BTW, I'm also using Macrium Reflect and a 1TB external HDD to make an image of everything on my PC.

I haven't upgraded to the anniversary edition yet....just too busy with other stuff. I spent most of turkey day messing with my computer.But I enjoy doing that. 🙂

[sherlock62]

mr. ed wrote:
Well, I'm back to normal now. Just reinstalled W 10 yesterday. Went without a hitch, but very slow process. Didn't cost anything except my time. :C

Good news! Did you end up using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to get the program on USB stick? IF you did, you have installed the Win 10 Anniv. edition (current offering) of Win 10 with updates.

If you do not like "Cortana" in the task bar and would rather have just a search (magnifying glass icon) icon in the task bar let me know and I can tell you how to accomplish this easily.

[mr__ed]

Well, I'm back to normal now. Just reinstalled W 10 yesterday. Went without a hitch, but very slow process. Didn't cost anything except my time. :C

[Clay_L]

I am using the Win 10 "System Image" function to make a clone of the OS and all data, programs and settings. I have had to use it to restore everything once on my computer and the one I made for my wife's laptop once. It went smoothly both times. It is available as an option in Control Panel/File History - the option is on the lower left side "Make System Image Backup".
It is available using "Settings" but it takes a lot of clicking to find it - much easier for me with Control Panel.

[sherlock62]

Tom_M wrote:
The beauty of creating an image file is that it is a single step to restore the OS, programs that you installed, and all data created. Once you have your computer configured the way you like it, create an image of it. After that, periodically do an incremental backup. If your computer gets corrupted, just revert to known good backup.

Indeed, an "image file" will usually work but many many find that the method fails more often then not. Fails for assorted reasons. And, to mention you have to pay for the software and then keep your image current. For the average user, the method I mentioned is pretty much fail safe. Have the USB ISO Window 10 thumb drive in a drawer and just do routine backups of your personal data and your programs. Do keep your backups off site! I should mention that the PLUS of this approach is that when you do your reinstall of Win 10 on your PC you have a fresh/virgin, current with all Windows updates install of Win 10 on the PC. When you restore with an image file you have a patch work, questionable install that images your old and tainted Win 10. In closing, less money and a far better approach to do as I mention versus an image file install.

[mr__ed]

Thanks for the help. I already have the tool installed on my PC. It does allow me to idownload W10 , but, my goodness, it's a terribly slow download. I tried downloading it overnight, but when I got up this morning the computer had shut itself down. I might try it again tomorrow, when I have time to keep an eye on things.

BTW, I don't already haveW10 on any media, otherwise I would have used that.

[Tom_M1]

The beauty of creating an image file is that it is a single step to restore the OS, programs that you installed, and all data created. Once you have your computer configured the way you like it, create an image of it. After that, periodically do an incremental backup. If your computer gets corrupted, just revert to known good backup.

[sherlock62]

To mr. ed... Your having Windows 10 installed on that PC you had issues with is recorded on Microsoft's servers. With another PC, get the Microsoft Media Creation Tool and create an USB ISO Windows 10 stick. Use this as I mentioned in my earlier post and Windows 10 will be back on your PC and automatically registered to you by Microsoft Servers. You will just need to enter your email address and password that you use in regard to your Microsoft account. If you don't remember same you can easily call Microsoft's Win 10 Tech Support and they will help you out. After you do the install of Win 10 you just have to get your programs reinstalled on the system and get your personal data files back on there also. Not at all hard to get your Win 10 back on there.

[sherlock62]

Assuming you had Windows 10 installed on a PC an easy easy way to get Windows 10 back on the PC, after you have an issue with the PC, or that you say replaced the hard drive is to reinstall Windows 10 with a USB drive that you used the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to place Windows 10 on. Very easy, you place the USB stick in the USB port on the PC and you turn the PC on. Windows, in minutes is installed on the PC. When finished you just log in on the newly installed Windows 10 and Microsoft's servers, automatically register the Windows 10 operating system. You do not enter a registration key. This process is very simple. SO, if you keep on hand a USB with the ISO Windows 10 on it and then you back up all your personal files and software to say a portable hard drive then when the day comes and you have issues you will be all set.

Yes, some will say to create a Windows Recovery USB stick or mirror your hard drive and such but reality is an easy and fail save way that always provides positive results is to do as I mentioned and create an ISO Windows 10 USB stick. You can get the Microsoft Media Creation Tool here. Just remember to always have a current backup of your programs and personals files. Best bet is to keep this backup off site, in case you have fire, theft, etc..