I have 2 identical laptops identically OS and software configured that I keep in sync via OneDrive. I take frequent backups. Currently I have to back up each separately.
I am trying to find a way to backup either and use the same image to restore either of them when necessary. AFAIK, the way license keys work, this isn't possible.
Does anybody know of a way to do that?
Not that I am aware of. I believe it's more than just license keys. There the unique device IDs, bunch of other stuff. I don't have or know all details, but I really do not think that is possible.
Edit: I remember now that is how I did my "cloning" from my old Dell to my new Alienware. I did a full Macrium image, all partitions, and restored it to a blank SSD in the new machine. Not real sure if that would work on a continual basis, though. But I did do that.
You can certainly make an image backup of one pc eg using Macrium Reflect, and restore to another pc. Windows 10 is very good at sorting differences in hardware ie drivers BUT it is not perfect. In some cases, it may be necessary to sysprep (remove hardware drivers) an installation first or use say Macrium Reflect Redeploy option (not on free version).
Of course, each pc will need its own licence.
I think what Cereberus and I are both saying is, yes, it's possible, but maybe not the best solution. I may have gotten lucky when I did it. Actually, the time to backup an image with verify is about 5 minutes or so for 30-35Gb, so it's not a long process, and it would be safer.
I got it.
There is, actually, an additional reason I am interested in that option. Both computers run the same version of Windows10 customized to my preferences, but one had Win10 preinstalled and updated in place over Win7, which messed up the user accounts system. I installed the same version of Win10 on the 2nd system myself from scratch -- base and a series of updates.
They are both Win10 1511 brought up to a certain update level, customized and cleaned of useless and spying bloat (Cortana, Edge, apps) and not updated anymore to avoid all the MS Windows Update mess and the return of the bloat. I do not want anything beyond that touching my systems.
Because the 1st system was updated in place, the user accts system is somewhat messed up and quirky and 1st has USER as main acct, second my name. To make the 1st the same as the 2nd I would have to duplicate the install and customization on it, including installing the programs (not apps) and that is too heavy a price to pay -- the system works after all. Restoring an image of the 2nd would be a better option, but from what you're saying, there is a risk it won't work.
So I guess I will have to wait for it to break and try the restore then.
A little off topic, but I'm sure you are aware 1511 lost support last October, 2017. Just an FYI...
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...cle-fact-sheet
You can always make it work by running sysprep which is an official ms tool to prepare a system (sysprep) for redeployment to different devices but in most cases it is not needed especially if laptops are identical (although often allegedly identical devices may have different internal components depending on product runs etc).
Of course I am aware. That was a conscious decision to stop updating -- I want nothing to do with anything beyond what I already have. Watching the mess that has become Windows10 and what people who keep up with it have been going through without any justification, I am very glad I got off that wagon.
The problem could come if you turn on both pcs on the same network at the same time as windows can get confused which is which
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