Windows 10 file system layout

ebergerly said:

Again, it depends on what you're protecting against. If you're worried about a cumulative update causing problems, you can have a separate disk with Win7 or Linux or other OS installed that's ready to go. Unplug the bad system drive, plug in the good one, and you're ready to go...

Personally, I much prefer the "plug and go" approach than worrying about running backup software and figuring out how to make all of that work.

There's little difference between plugging in a spare hard drive and 'plugging in' a system image. The reason I prefer a system image is that all the installed software and configuration is guaranteed to be exactly as it was before disaster struck. How much time do you spend keeping the spare HDD up to date and matching your current system? Or how long would it take to reconfigure it once you have plugged it in? Assuming, that is, that you have kept meticulous records of all the changes you made.

About 30 minutes after a disaster I can be back to exactly where I was.

ebergerly said:

As far as software, It's pretty rare that I install new software, but when I do it's generally just a downloaded file that I run. And all my downloads are backed up with all my other personal folders, so re-installing the software is, in the worst case, just a matter of looking in Downloads to see what needs installing...

Well, if it works for you that's the most important point. Personally I have software that cannot be reinstalled. Microsoft Office Starter 2010 is one example, that was only available pre-installed by the OEM.

When I used backup software like Macrium, it was making these ridiculous incremental backups that started filling up my hard drive...

I don't let Macrium make scheduled backups. I only ever use it to make a full backup to an external HDD, keeping as many earlier full images as space allows to give me a choice of restore dates. Each is single self-contained file that can be restored with no reference to any earlier or later 'incrementals'. I don't even have Macrium installed on my main machine, I boot from a Macrium restore media usb to make my images.

Works for me

ebergerly said:

By the way, I have an interesting incident that happened the other day that underlines how nice it is to have a backup PC...

Agreed. I have three W10 laptops and one W7 now (I don't seem to be able to stop collecting them ). One is dedicated as a test machine I can play around with (System Two in my specs below). That has system images for every version of W10 and one for W7. It's not unknown for it to run half a dozen versions of Windows in as many hours when I'm busy investigating a problem.

bootjangler said:

I'm looking to go to a new Windows 10 PC, and changing from a Windows 7 PC.

Good for you, BootJangler. Welcome to TenForums and Windows 10 (when you get there).

bootjangler said:

If I backup the "My Documents" folder and all files and folders within, is there a similar file system
under Windows 10, ie same structure I can dump directly to, or have they changed things and I'll
have a bit more messing about to do?

Thanks

I agree with everything TC @f14tomcat told you.

First and foremost, go with the simplicity TC advises, rather than a complicated method that may, or may not, work.

I have several external drives (they're getting less expensive) that I save my data to (one will do). I also have a Seagate 5 TB backup drive I use for scheduled Macrium Reflect backups. That way, even if the hard drive/SSD should crater, my data is safe.

One more thing; you should be prompted to create a "rescue media" USB drive to be used if your computer crashes and won't boot. Make this "Rescue Media" asap. You will thank your lucky stars if you ever need it.

FYI: Macrium Reflect can be used for backups and Rescue Media on both Windows 7 and Windows 10.

Just in case you need the tutorial links, BootJangler, here's a link.

Windows 10 file system layout Solved - Windows 10 Forums

Wynona said:

One more thing; you should be prompted to create a "rescue media" USB drive to be used if your computer crashes and won't boot. Make this "Rescue Media" asap. You will thank your lucky stars if you ever need it.

FYI: Macrium Reflect can be used for backups and Rescue Media on both Windows 7 and Windows 10.

I first installed Macrium Reflect on a 32-bit W10 PC and made the rescue media usb straight away. This rescue media can make images as well as restore them. I have subsequently imaged my other machines by booting from this usb without bothering to install Macrium on them. W10 x64 or W7, they can all be imaged by this one usb.

My strategy is simple and effective although requires some work.
System(OS) disk doesn't contain any personal files, Use Macrium Reflect to make full backup at least once a week, Resulting .mrimg file is occasionally copied to another HDD via removable disk (SATA) storage and kept offline afterwards. Using removable SATA storage is way faster than USB2/3 interface, takes little of resources so it's possible to do work or play during that time.
Any personal files are kept on other disk(s), are in the folders with names appropriate to content and occasionally get just copied to own backup disk also kept offline. I feel it's most important to keep permanent backups offline and in safe place and not used all the time. Most important files are also kept on own disk and are duplicate(triplicate) of what is in original place.