Saving And Restoring Windows Settings

caxtin · 17 Feb 2023

Windows 10 Pro 64Bit (Version 21H2 OS Build 19044.1826)

Through the years, I have made lots of settings, from using the macro from here to make sure my PC shuts down or goes to sleep when applied. Also, things like setting up the Windows Defender / Security functions.

The annoying issue is, normally after a major update, some of those setting will be gone (reverted to Windows default) without me knowing. In such case, I would have to find the process and go through the settings to set my workstation the way I would like it; that is if I remember all the things I had done in the past.

Would there be a function, macro or utility to save my profile settings to apply after major updates

idgat · 17 Feb 2023

Create an image after each change ....

Macrium Reflect (still has a freeware version for a few months)
AOMEI Backupper (freeware version)

EDIT : Re-reading, my response above didn't quite address the OP's specific problem. To that issue .... manual (computer or hand written) note recording. Although I find that most of the tweaks that I've done are as a result of a web search ... there's where my notes are

. When I used to take/keep notes, more than once realised I missed out a step, left out a line, spelt a command incorrectly, etc. Someone else's tried and tested on the web is much easier.

caxtin · 18 Feb 2023

idgat said:

Create an image after each change ....

Macrium Reflect (still has a freeware version for a few months)
AOMEI Backupper (freeware version)

EDIT : Re-reading, my response above didn't quite address the OP's specific problem. To that issue .... manual (computer or hand written) note recording. Although I find that most of the tweaks that I've done are as a result of a web search ... there's where my notes are

. When I used to take/keep notes, more than once realised I missed out a step, left out a line, spelt a command incorrectly, etc. Someone else's tried and tested on the web is much easier.

I always backup (Aomei Backupper Professional) and right after, I clone the drive on a spare drive; every time. Once in a while, I use the Macrium Reflect. Have not used this a while now, just lazy since I am very religious about imaging and clone my OS drive.

The issue at hand I had mentioned is, no matter what I do, sometimes a major Windows update tend to revert some of my settings to factory. I won't know which got reverted until the reason for my setting shows up again.

Thank you for your reply.

dalchina · 18 Feb 2023

I'm surprised you experience this.. I assume a 'major update' is build upgrade not implemented by an enablement package- is that correct?

from using the macro from here to make sure my PC shuts down or goes to sleep when applied.

- I've not experienced problems with either myself.

Whilst syncing settings
Enable or Disable Sync Your Settings in Windows 10
Turn On or Off Sync Settings for Microsoft Account in Windows 10
can save 'some' settings to Onedrive, it may well be that the settings in question may not include ones you have tweaked,

A major upgrade (like an in-place upgrade repair install) will revert some things to default, but usually have little or no impact on settings a user can change by normal means. This is part of its merit as a repair procedure.

If what you're observing relates to 'under the hood' tweaks not applied by normal GUI means, I might understand what you're seeing.

A program like EaseUS Todo PCTrans Free enables you to transfer files to a new computer for free, including User Profile data, User Account Settings, Personalization, Power Options, Lock Screen Wallpaper, Account Password, etc.