Still on version 1909: how to force it - or should I?

Terrypin said:

Thanks all, those follow-ups are reassuring and I see it’s not perhaps as risky as I thought. I do indeed have robust backups. Those include a weekly image with Macrium Reflect, although I have not yet had to do a restore!

I guess my underlying hesitation is that I still don’t know whether there is some important technical reason why I have not been automatically updated. How easy would it be to revert to 1909 if 2020 introduced a serious problem? Would it have to be restoring an image, or could I just use the Update dialogs in Settings to re-install 1909?

As long as you have the Macrium bootable rescue media (CD or USB), you're pretty safe. With the bootable media you can get to your backups, even if Windows won't boot.

In Macrium Reflect IN Windows you can create the Macrium bootable rescue media.

Macrium Reflect user guides...

version 6... https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...PBBY0TrQTx8SJ5

version 7... https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...uAMn2I6vTHWcvQ

version 7.2... https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...k036dxmurQJW-H

Thanks Ghot. I did make a rescue USB as recommended. Presumably that itself doesn’t need to be regularly renewed?

Terrypin said:

Thanks Ghot. I did make a rescue USB as recommended. Presumably that itself doesn’t need to be regularly renewed?

Correct.
Using it is a bit strange. To Restore, choose the Restore tab and click Restore Image on the far right.
Then you'll see a source and below that a destination. They will look the same, as Restoring from within Windows.

Just click the partition(s) in the "source" and drag and drop them on the same partition(s) in the destination.
It'll pop up a warning asking if you want to overwrite... you'll have to check mark a box and click OK.


On the rare chance that the restored image won't boot.... just boot from the rescue media again and choose the Restore tab, and "Fix Windows boot problems".




/edit

Another nice thing on the rescue media is in the lower left corner. It has Shutdown/Restart button, a screen shot button and access to the Command Prompt. I think it has internet as well.









Personally, I always make backups from within Windows, and Restore (when needed), from the Macrium bootable rescue media.

Every PC is unique in one way or another, even sometimes the same make & model.

If 500,000 people have successfully upgraded their PC to 2004 or 20H2, that truly is not relevant to me personally unless of course, I know for a fact that 350,000 of those are the exact same make, model, and options as my PC. My PC, like many, is not an off the shelf unit, I've added devices and software since it was new. It is unique!

If my PC shares the same features as that large number of successful upgrades (doubtful), I might consider the upgrade if the EOS was soon approaching but if that EOS date is months away and there aren't any huge operational benefits to the newer OS, why would I waste my time and effort and possibly risk grief with my PC?

I just don't get what this overwhelming panic rush to upgrade is all about nor why many individuals feel that if their own unique circumstance (PC) with a particular upgrade translates to, any other unique PC should be successful to upgrade because mine was.

No offense intended to anyone who lives and breathes for upgrades, just simply a call to some to give their head a shake. Your PC isn't like my PC, why would you think it so?

Here endeth my rant on premature upgrading.

Thanks Ghot, duly studied and filed for quick access.