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#1
My Custom Made Backup and Restore: Advice please
My new computer (8 GB RAM, i5) has Windows 10, which I like, but I am having trouble getting to grips with its “Backup and Restore (Windows 7)” Control Panel setup, which seems to offer many more options on what to include in a backup compared to my discarded Windows 7 machine.
What I Want:
1. Automatic daily backups of the Windows system, drivers and programs, so if the system gives trouble I can return more-or-less to where I was before.
2. My personal files (Documents, Pictures, Music and Videos) excluded in that automatic backup. I use FreeFileSync to cover these which is vastly quicker than Windows 10 Backup and Restore.
3. A System Image also excluded from the automatic backup. This is because I find it itself adds 45 minutes to a backup and therefore slows the computer while I am often working, and during that 45 mins it is impossible to sleep or shut down the computer.
4. However, the options available in Backup and Restore, (except in one case, see below) result in my personal files (documents etc.) also being backed up. This takes 45 minutes even with a system image not included and is obviously not needed (because of FreeFileSync).
What I have done:
5. I have therefore set up tailor-made settings in Backup and Restore which exclude all personal files (Documents, Pictures etc.) but include programs and similar. This setup takes only 12 minutes. Please see attached IMAGE 1 and IMAGE 2
What I plan to do (in addition to the above automatic backup):
6. Manually make a system Image when convenient, such as when leaving the computer for a meal or going to bed (in both cases making sure that the computer will be set not to sleep for an hour).
7. Make regular backups of my personal files (Documents, Pictures, Music and Videos) using FreeFileSync.
8. Make sure that System Restore Points continue to be made by W 10’s Backup and Restore routine, and by me before changes are made.
9. Create a System Repair Disc.
10. Make a Recovery Drive to restore or reset the PC.
11. Use Microsoft Installation Media on a DVD if needed to restore or reset my PC
Two questions please:
Q1: Does all this seem reasonable and effective against mishaps?
Q2: In particular, will the settings in items 1 to 5 make effective use of Backup and Restore?
Thanks for any help.