Windows 10 Backup Versus Acronis Backup 12

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  1. Posts : 1,871
    W10 pro x64 20H2 Build 19042.610
       #21

    Stecyk said:
    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.
    Windows Backup consists two separate things.

    1/ A file and folder backup that just backs up your user files (documents/music/pictures etc). I have never used this feature.
    2/ Windows System Image which is a true image of the complete disk and contains everything... operating system, the lot.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------

    Windows File History copies all your chosen user files (docs/pictures/music etc) to a location of your choice. That can even be a separate partition on the main drive. Once they are copied it then keeps those files but also adds to them whenever a change is made such as adding a new file or even changing the contents of one. So you have a complete record (a copy) of every file you have ever used, ever downloaded, or ever changed. You can restore the files easily or you can just browse them as normal use file explorer. Its brilliant and I do sometimes use it. For example I suddenly think, yes I remember that picture or file I downloaded last April or whenever. I read it and binned it and its long gone... but not with file history. Its still there.

    The only time I clean install is when I feel there is a genuine need such as last month when the Windows Anniversary Edition appeared. I preferred a clean install to an upgraded install. Using disk imaging means that if there is the slightest doubt that something untoward has happened, then I would rather just restore an image rather than wonder if something was compromised.
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  2. Posts : 78
    Windows 10 Pro - 64
    Thread Starter
       #22

    Thank you Wooly for your helpful response. I believe I am all set now.
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  3. Posts : 1,871
    W10 pro x64 20H2 Build 19042.610
       #23

    Pleased you found it useful anyhow.

    Just a minute. Wooly
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  4. Posts : 1
    Windows 10 Pro - 64
       #24

    Stecyk said:
    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.
    Late as this comment is, it may be a useful contribution for people asking similar questions...

    I regluarly use Acronis with Success. My machine is set-up using an SSD partitioned into three, to allow for the entire SSD to be Acronis "cloned" for a rapid (15 mins) re-installation as required. No user-files here, only software. The partitions are :

    SSD-Partition 1 : C-drive / WIn 10 + MS Office + utilities
    SSD-Partition 2 : F-drive / photography programmes (CS6 ; lightroom ; OnOne ; DxO ; etc ..)
    SSD-Partition 3 : V-drive / CS6 Scratch & cache
    Then :
    HDD/1-Partition 1 : relocated desktop + my docs + non-essential photos & files
    HDD/1-Partition 2 : email storage + business data & files, etc

    HDD/2 : All serious/important photographic files (storage/editing)
    HDD/2 : Internal backup disk, for daily file-backups

    USB HDD(s): External backups

    My process: once win 10 was installed & setup to my satisfaction, I cloned that. Then, when everything is setup as I like, the ENTIRE SSD is also cloned as a further backup (maintaining 3 or more). Any time new software is added or removed, a completely new backup is created & named. For a time, I keep more than one version, or system state, as a safeguard.

    I ensure the OS & softwares (on SSD) are totally independent of all User files (on HHD) & I maintain these backups/clones separately.

    This way, when problems occur due to a corruption, slowdown, or other, I re-install the entire SSD backup (Acronis) in only 15 minutes. Occasionally, I might re-install just a programme folder.

    True, I find Acronis GUI is not ideal, but it does save the day for me.

    Lastly, while I use MS Windows system restore-points regularly, this cannot be relied upon. Restore-Points can be deleted by MS when a major MS Update is installed. Evidently, MS can deem them irrelevant to the new update.

    Hope this helps ... :)
    Last edited by ocwin10; 17 Feb 2017 at 22:47. Reason: formatting
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  5. Posts : 78
    Windows 10 Pro - 64
    Thread Starter
       #25

    @ocwin10, thank you for providing your experience in reinstalling Windows 10!
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