How to create a universal backup ?

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  1. Posts : 5
    Windows 10 1909
       #1

    How to create a universal backup ?


    Hi,

    I want to create a universal backup so that I can restore Windows 10 on any machine with a different hardware. I have heard that apparently Windows 10 is better with hardware changes now in comparison to Windows 7 where system would either bluescreen or be stuck in a reboot loop.

    I'm thinking to just uninstall all the drivers, run Sysprep then shut down Windows 10 . After that I would make a backup so that when I restore it, Windows 10 will detect different hardware and adjust all the drivers. Would that work ?

    I also have a few questions:

    1) Would the above method preserve all of my Control Panel Settings, Windows Settings App, Group Policy and user environment ? I have heard that Sysprep can have issues with correctly preserving user environment after initiating sysprep.

    2) I need a free imaging tool that I can boot into from USB stick and make a cold backup of Windows from its own environment rather than just installing a software in Windows. I have used Norton Ghost for Windows 7 before and I'm looking for something similar. I was thinking about using Clonezilla but I don't know how compatible this software is with Windows 10.

    Any advice is appreciated.
    Thanks
      My Computer


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

    Threads on this forum report
    a. Simply move a disk from one pc to another- Windows reconfigures drivers for you.
    b. Use imaging or cloning to do that.
    Then there's Macrium Redeploy or similar
    ReDeploy a system to new hardware

    Macrium Reflect (free) is recommended here time and again. Base + differential imaging.
    Has a boot disk.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 2,487
    Windows 10 Home, 64-bit
       #3

    Macrium is the most commonly recommended image tool here.

    Re moving Win 10 to new hardware:

    I posed a similar question to yours a few days ago on this forum.

    The choices I offered were:

    1: simply move the drive to the new hardware and see what happens.

    2: use Sysprep to "generalize" the drive, then move it.

    3: walk through Device Manager and Apps and uninstall anything that might be a driver or motherboard related, then move it.

    I got 2 responses. Both suggested number 1.

    I suspect there is more knowledge around here, but that's where I was left.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5
    Windows 10 1909
    Thread Starter
       #4

    dalchina said:
    Threads on this forum report
    What do you mean by it ?


    dalchina said:
    a. Simply move a disk from one pc to another- Windows reconfigures drivers for you.
    Does that mean I don't need to run a Sysprep on Windows 10 then ?



    dalchina said:
    b. Use imaging or cloning to do that.
    Then there's Macrium Redeploy or similar
    ReDeploy a system to new hardware

    Macrium Reflect (free) is recommended here time and again. Base + differential imaging.
    Has a boot disk.
    Thanks for the suggestion

    I have tried to find the boot disk but I can't find it anywhere. Do you have a URL for it to download ? I don't want to install any software onto Windows because I just need .ISO or .IMG file for my USB.
      My Computer


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

    What do you mean by it ?
    Thank you so very much for your reply. I will add some words for you.


    Threads on this forum report

    There are threads posted by users on this forum where people who have taken the system drive from one PC, inserted in into another, booted the PC, and report that Windows reconfigured itself for the new hardware and booted successfully.

    I was hoping to save myself some typing.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 2,487
    Windows 10 Home, 64-bit
       #6

    As far as I know you can't "download" it.

    You make it within Macrium.

    You could then uninstall Macrium and just use the boot disk.

    It's machine-specific, so one size presumably would not fit all. Thus no downloadable.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5
    Windows 10 1909
    Thread Starter
       #7

    ignatzatsonic said:


    Re moving Win 10 to new hardware:

    I posed a similar question to yours a few days ago on this forum.

    The choices I offered were:

    1: simply move the drive to the new hardware and see what happens.

    2: use Sysprep to "generalize" the drive, then move it.

    3: walk through Device Manager and Apps and uninstall anything that might be a driver or motherboard related, then move it.

    I got 2 responses. Both suggested number 1.

    I suspect there is more knowledge around here, but that's where I was left.
    What did you do and what was the outcome ? Did you just moved the drive and did it worked for you ? What I'm concerned mostly about are my settings and user environment because I have heard that Windows can either not touch it and leave it how it is or delete the whole profile which can be concerning.


    ignatzatsonic said:
    As far as I know you can't "download" it.

    You make it within Macrium.

    You could then uninstall Macrium and just use the boot disk.
    This sucks, oh well.

    ignatzatsonic said:
    It's machine-specific, so one size presumably would not fit all. Thus no downloadable.
    I don't understand this logic as it doesn't make any sense, at least for me. How does bootable software that is free for anyone needs to fit a hardware ? I used Norton Ghost that was a paid product and you could use it to boot from any machine that had a USB port.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2,487
    Windows 10 Home, 64-bit
       #8

    see comments:

    Grand2Grand said:
    What did you do and what was the outcome ?

    I did nothing. I was inquiring.

    I won't need to seriously consider it until I move to new hardware. That may be a year or more.



    I don't understand this logic as it doesn't make any sense, at least for me. How does bootable software that is free for anyone needs to fit a hardware ? I used Norton Ghost that was a paid product and you could use it to boot from any machine that had a USB port.

    For all I personally know, a Macrium recovery disk made on my machine will work on any Windows machine ever built. I say for all I personally know.

    Per notices on Macrium's web site, one is advised to periodically re-do the recovery media as new versions of Macrium are released. Implying that the older one won't work.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #9

    Grand2Grand said:
    What did you do and what was the outcome ? Did you just moved the drive and did it worked for you ? What I'm concerned mostly about are my settings and user environment because I have heard that Windows can either not touch it and leave it how it is or delete the whole profile which can be concerning.




    This sucks, oh well.



    I don't understand this logic as it doesn't make any sense, at least for me. How does bootable software that is free for anyone needs to fit a hardware ? I used Norton Ghost that was a paid product and you could use it to boot from any machine that had a USB port.
    In vast majority of cases, a bootable rescue drive will work on a different pc. Once in a while, you have to add drivers for new pc but quite rare.

    Regarding w10 on new device, it nearly always works but once in a while you have to inject drivers. paid version of Macrium will do this but rarely needed unlike w7.
      My Computer


  10. T J
    Posts : 60
    10 Home 64-bit 21H2
       #10

    I've used Norton Ghost 15 for 8-years on my 2012 Dell desktop (originally W7, upgraded to W10 in 2016). Currently use Norton Ghost 15 boot CD to make 'cold images' of 2012 Dell, W10, 1909.
    I've never tried to restore an image of 2012 W10 Dell onto another PC.
    [I used PowerQuest Drive Image 5 from 2001 to 2012]
    How to create a universal backup ?-ghost15.jpg
      My Computers


 

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