System Image or Backup and Restore Files in Win10

Hi,

A few days ago I discovered I had some corruptive files preventing me from Updating successfully. So, after much hair-pulling I did a Windows 10 reinstall via a USB Flash Drive while Windows was running and it was successful thanks to some talented folks on this forum. Now everything is back to normal according to 'sfc /scannow' and 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth'.

I back up my computer monthly using Acronis TI. But what I am after is something I can do to access 'good' files to replace corrupted ones should they ever rear their ugly heads again without having to do a reinstall like I just did or use Acronis TI.

I have never paid any attention to the Backup and Restore option which comes as part of Win 10. That being said, I just did a System Image from it a few hours ago. But now it is my understanding that in order to use that Image I would have to use the entire Image and I wouldn't be able to replace individual files.

Now I notice that on the same Backup and Restore page I also have the option to Backup my files and the like, which includes a System Image.

Does this mean:

(1) I really only need one or the other -- system image or backup?

(2) If I use the Backup option does that mean if I ever have corrupted files in the future that I would be able to point DISM at that backup to try to get ones that are not corrupted to replace my bad ones? Because it is my understanding I wouldn't be able to do that with the System Image I have saved on an External Drive.

(3) In a nutshell I am trying to ask if I would be able to try to replace corrupted files from good ones that I know would be on the Windows backup if I ran it right now?

Thanks and regards,
2harts4ever

2harts4ever said:

In a nutshell I am trying to ask if I would be able to try to replace corrupted files from good ones that I know would be on the Windows backup if I ran it right now?

This is not as straightforward as you may think. You may want to replace a .dll in C:\Windows\System32, but actually it isn't really there. Well, it is (obviously) but it's a hard link. The file is also listed in a subfolder of the updates store WinSxS. There is just the one file, but hard links are used to make it appear in multiple folders. Now what happens if you delete the hard link in System32 and replace it with an actual file? Are there now two different versions of the file in different locations? And what would be the effect of this on the system?

I don't know the answer, but I'm not prepared to risk it.

In answer to your other questions, Backup and Restore can back up your user files (and other folders if you choose). These file can be restored individually from the backups. It also has a quite separate function of making a system image which can restore your system partitions in the event of catastrophe. Ticking the 'include a system image' just means that it runs these two separate function one after the other.

I have never paid any attention to the Backup and Restore option which comes as part of Win 10. That being said, I just did a System Image from it a few hours ago. But now it is my understanding that in order to use that Image I would have to use the entire Image and I wouldn't be able to replace individual files.

Officially that is correct. Backup and Restore's 'system image' make images of all the partitions require to run your system and it can only restore a complete partition. Unofficially the partitions are stored as .vhdx files. These can be mounted as a virtual drive and explored like any other. But it's fiddly and there are all sorts of ownership and permissions problems to overcome. Not something I'd advise trying unless you really need those files.

Backup & Restore is fairly basic and there are better solutions, Macrium Reflect for example can restore individual files from its system images, I'm told.

Hi Bree and cereberus ,

I appreciate both your replies and information.

I will check into both of them.

Thanks and regards,
2harts4ever