Windows 10 Backup Versus Acronis Backup 12

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  1. Posts : 471
    Windows 10 Pro
       #11

    For data backup there are a lot of options available (free and paid). E.g. there is PureSync (paid), Areca (free), Fastcopy (free)... And of course the renown backup solutions like Acronis, Macrium, Paragon, EaseUS... all provide data backup features. So the choice is up to you. But if you want a piece of advice: I personally would avoid Acronis. It used to be a great program but the latest versions have rendered the program unreliable and thus useless to me. Of course that's only my experience. I bet there are others out there who are perfectly satisfied with Acronis.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #12

    System imaging means you can restore your system from an image in a tiny fraction of the time to install the OS, do all its updates, install programs, configure hardware and settings.

    The latter might take you 3 or 4 hours... minimum- for me it takes some days from scratch.

    Restoring an image can be pretty quick.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 78
    Windows 10 Pro - 64
    Thread Starter
       #13

    altae said:
    For data backup there are a lot of options available (free and paid). E.g. there is PureSync (paid), Areca (free), Fastcopy (free)... And of course the renown backup solutions like Acronis, Macrium, Paragon, EaseUS... all provide data backup features. So the choice is up to you. But if you want a piece of advice: I personally would avoid Acronis. It used to be a great program but the latest versions have rendered the program unreliable and thus useless to me. Of course that's only my experience. I bet there are others out there who are perfectly satisfied with Acronis.
    Perhaps if I were just starting backups, then I might choose a different solution. I have some tib (Acronis files) stored on hard drives from a while ago of archived stuff. So far, Acronis is meeting my needs. I appreciate your advice, however.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 78
    Windows 10 Pro - 64
    Thread Starter
       #14

    dalchina said:
    System imaging means you can restore your system from an image in a tiny fraction of the time to install the OS, do all its updates, install programs, configure hardware and settings.

    The latter might take you 3 or 4 hours... minimum- for me it takes some days from scratch.

    Restoring an image can be pretty quick.
    I am curious as to why it takes you days.

    To be honest, I am probably due for a complete reinstall. My computer began as Win 8.0 and is now current with Windows 10, three years later. If and when I do a complete reinstall, I am sure I will be looking for some advice. Using CCleaner Professional, I have a list of all my software. Because of some personalized configuration settings with my Adobe Software, I'd want to make sure I backed that up. Aside from that, I think I could pretty much wipe the C drive clean and start over. I likely wouldn't be back to completely normal after a few hours, but I suspect I would be 70 percent complete. And over the next several days, I would continue to add as required.

    I am hoping I don't have to do a complete reinstall for a while, which is the purpose of a backup. However, it wouldn't be such a bad thing either.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #15

    It does if I do it manually (which I usually don't); I have a large number of programs to install, plus some data to transfer (not only simple stuff in folders), plus scheduled tasks + various programs to configure.

    Simply installing all the programs takes many hours. Almost none of my personal data is on C: so that's not a factor.
    My Start Menu uses iconised folders matching the folders into which I install programs.

    I keep all the relevant downloaded files, so these are available, and I have all my licenses in one encrypted file, so it's not a matter of being disorganised!
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 78
    Windows 10 Pro - 64
    Thread Starter
       #16

    dalchina, You seem to have an elaborate configuration compared to me. My main software is Adobe CC (various programs) and Microsoft Office 365. Aside from that, I still have other important programs that I use, but the list manageable. Almost all of my personal data is on my other drives. My C drive is just os and software. I have all my licenses, too, though not as neatly organized as you with your encrypted file. I like that idea. I have most of my stuff stored in Outlook.

    Thank you for your reply.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,871
    W10 pro x64 20H2 Build 19042.610
       #17

    It would take me many hours to clean install as well. I even made a list of all the steps as I do them because then that makes it easier not to forget anything and also allows you to install and set things up in the best order.

    Clean installing W10 takes around 15 to 20 minutes on my main system. There are a couple of dedicated drivers needed that Windows doesn't locate such as card reader and audio etc. Then there is all the customising, arranging the start menu, changing the fonts so it all looks good. Creating custom shortcuts. Setting up Edge with 40 or more sites most of which need login details entering. All my programs, all their customising. All my data needs arranging and libraries creating.

    That is one reason I make so many backups. I also run Windows file history which is great as both a file backup and also an archiving tool for quickly used and discarded files (where you wish you had kept something).

    Windows 10 Backup Versus Acronis Backup 12-backups.png

    I would say probably around 10 to 12 hours work to get it all finalised.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #18

    Mooly said:
    Setting up Edge with 40 or more sites most of which need login details entering.
    If you use a Microsoft account Edge remembers all your log-in details / passwords on a clean install. Very handy I think. Of course I have my cunningly named Passwords.docx to fall back on in case of issues with it.

    For me to do a clean install, install office 365 etc and do my limited tweaking (almost all of which is scripted) takes me about an hour - perhaps a little more but not much.

    Apart from Office almost all my programs (another 40 or 50 I guess) are portable. I just use a script to add the start menu entries - their preferences are stored in their own config files so nothing to do there.

    All depends I guess. I'd make more OS backups if clean install took me days that is for sure.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 78
    Windows 10 Pro - 64
    Thread Starter
       #19

    Mooly said:
    That is one reason I make so many backups. I also run Windows file history which is great as both a file backup and also an archiving tool for quickly used and discarded files (where you wish you had kept something).
    Can you please expand on your Windows file history. I am assuming (though I might be incorrect) that you use a backup program plus Windows File History, which is Windows Backup?

    Out of curiosity, do you periodically do a clean reinstall, and if so, how often?

    Thank you for your reply.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 78
    Windows 10 Pro - 64
    Thread Starter
       #20

    It's interesting to read that many of you customize your start menu. I have my favorite 15 programs or so anchored to the Taskbar and use Windows Key plus Q to call up whatever program I want. I suspect I am inefficient, so I should investigate customizing the Start menu. Although, my method does seem to suit my needs rather well.

    I should take an inventory of my programs this weekend and note which ones I want to capture customized settings. Make sure that those are all available. Otherwise, I think I am in reasonable shape.

    Thanks everyone for providing your thoughts with regard to backup solutions. For now, I am inclined to stick with Acronis. It solves my immediate concerns. But I do appreciate learning of other solutions.
      My Computer


 

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