I just bought an external hard drive to backup all my important files, etc. because I think I need to reinstall a fresh copy of Windows. I've had many issues, including Windows updates that won't install.
1) Can someone tell me if I should use the Windows backup utility or another program?
2) What, realistically, is there no way to save? For instance, will apps and programs be backup WITH their settings?
With a clean install, you will loose everything you ever installed. The clean install only installs what the OS has.
That said. I save all my software to an external HDD, then do the same for all my personal files....ie, doc's, pict's, videos and music.Then I do my clean install and move software and personal data over.....If I want to.
Hi, a clean install is literally that- just Windows. Nothing added, nothing taken away. The procedure (see tutorial) involves deleting any existing partitions part of the O/S before installing a new O/S.
If you were using Onedrive and used the same account, syncing should recover data that was synched by Onedrive. (That's a limited set of data).
The best way to ensure you have a full backup is to use disk imaging. Indeed, if you had been using disk imaging (e.g. Macrium Reflect -free/paid- as is oh, so often recommended here, you would have been able to restore your broken system to as it was on a variety of previously imaged dates.
You can copy files and folders from mounted image files.
including Windows updates that won't install.
This was ignored: I will assume you have 2004 or 20H2.
Some report certain updates fail with error numbers.
If that's your case- the only solution found was an in-place upgrade repair install (Tutorial available). This keeps all progs and data.
It's a usefule repair technique, and assuming your disk and file system are ok, may help you. Worth trying.
I'm trying to find the Media Creation Tool to try an in-place upgrade repair but it's prompting me to download an .iso file (it use to be an .exe). Have they changed things? I'm confused.
When you download the Media Creation Tool, you will be asked if you want to upgrade now or create installation media for another computer. You have the option of creating an .iso file or you may use a USB flash drive. Make sure you select 32 bit or 64 bit, depending on your system. Expand the choices under "Using the tool to upgrade this PC to Windows 10" or "Using the tool to create installation media" for detailed instructions.
Either way, you upgrade Windows with the latest updates and still keep your programs and data. Hope this helps.
If you visit the get Windows 10 page with a non-Windows OS (eg Linux or on an iPad) or your browser has been set to use the User Agent String of a non-Windows system, then you get redirected to a page where you can download an ISO rather than the Media Creation Tool, sayng: "You've been routed to this page because the operating system you're using won't support the Windows 10 media creation tool....".
Use Edge on a Windows PC and you should see the MCT available to download.
If there are important files that are not backed up there are options for Windows to backup files and install a fresh operating system. When this in done drivers and applications need to be reinstalled.
These are options:
a) Reset save files
b) Custom install
c) Windows refresh
An in place upgrade repair may fix many Windows problems.
It allows saving files, drivers, and applications.
There are two methods: version to version or with an upgrade
The upgrade method can fix most Windows problems.
These are some tutorials:
Reset Windows 10
Custom Install Windows 10
How to Restore Files from Windows.old Folder in Windows 10
Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade
Clean Install Windows 10
Refresh Windows 10
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