Recommended backup of Windows 10 -How to restore it

One of the tasks that I regularly implements (yes, regularly) on digital devices is the initialization of a PC and the "Windows 10" clean installation.

By restoring the system, you will be able to maximize the performance of the machine, so it is worth it for 1-2 hours.

And work is as easy.

Certainly, it takes some time to return the apps and data you have used to to the restore machine.However, if you back up in advance, you can do this work very easily.

I called it simply, but what is the actual difficulty level?

Let's explain the specific steps immediately.Here are some ways to return data to a machine that has just installed Windows 10 with a clean installation of Windows 10 without much trouble.

table of contents

Full use of cloud storage

This is a really easy way.

If you usually save all important information for you in the cloud, you do not need to do a special work when returning user data to a clear PC that has re -installed Windows 10.

If you reconnect to the cloud service you are using or install an app to synchronize the content stored in the cloud with the machine drive, it is the end.

So what should we do specifically?

For example, when storing documents or photos, let's save all these files in cloud storage such as "Google Drive", "Mega", and "OneDrive" without using Windows 10 user folders.。

If you keep in mind to save where you have decided (don't forget to move the file from the Windows 10 desktop to the protected cloud storage folder), you're ready.

Also, if you want to do something a little more attentive, create a Symlink (abbreviation of "Symbolic Link". Please see this article (English) for details) and change the storage location using the Windows 10 function.There is also a way to make it permanent.

In addition, you may want to right -click the user folder on your PC and change the storage location from the "property" displayed on the menu.

In this case, move the user folder under the main folder you are synchronizing with the cloud service.

Of course, if you reinstall Windows 10, these settings will be redoed from scratch.

Also, even if you have been habitual to save the photos and documents you have created in the cloud, you will not be able to access other folders such as "AppData" (where web browser settings and history are stored).increase.

If you don't mind, try it.

However, be aware of the differences between copying content stored in various folders and copying the entire user folder to online storage.

Use an app that always backs up online

To tell the truth, I have expired the "Backblaze" account.

Backblaze has been backing up my PC for many years to the cloud, but during that time I never used this service to recover files.

That doesn't mean this service is useless.

I just used multiple backup means.Backblaze was one of them, but as a result it was unnecessary.

That said, if you use a service that automatically backs up all user files through an app that is installed on the system, such as BackBlaze, it is easy to resurrect the data.

If you don't care about some data downloaded (or the services you use work at the time of restore), you can easily revive the latest files to the re -installed Windows 10.Yes.

However, this is the most suitable method for resurrection of user data.

For example, it is impossible to use this means to revive all the apps and games you have installed so far.

Copy directly from "Explorer"

In my Windows 10 settings, all user data is stored in the main "C: \ Users" folder.

Whenever you want to back up all the important things in your PC into one of the multiple secondary drives, just drag and drop this folder to the entire backup destination.

While the PC is going to copy, I leave for dinner.

When you finish your meal and go back, there are some messages that you have failed to copy a small file or a temporary file that is not so important, so it will respond to this.

This completes all the backups that are important for me.

If the storage capacity is enough, there should be no easier way.

(Right -click the "User" folder to select "Properties" or use a competent app like "Wiztree" to see what files are eating storage capacity.)

If you connect an external drive to a PC, or use a secondary drive built into the desktop PC and copy a user file there, it will be over.No complicated programs are required.

Create a disk image using a third -party app

The Lifehacker editorial department has been a big fan of Macrium Reflect for some time.

With this free app, you can easily create a full image of a drive by writing a clone of the entire drive into a secondary drive.

In the clone, all data in the original drive is duplicated, and with a full image, you can pull it out on Windows 10 after clean installation.

The Macrium Reflect has already been explained in detail in the previously linked article (English), so this article does not explain the image creation process one by one.

Most people will not be lost in the operation method.In fact, I can't imagine where to fail.

The only thing to keep in mind is to check the created clone or full image before erasing the original drive and clean installation of Windows 10.

(However, with regard to user data, there is no better way to prepare as many backups as possible.

So, for particularly important data, consider uploading to the cloud, copied to another storage at hand, and temporarily throws it into another machine).

Back up the browser tabs individually

Data on web browsers such as bookmarks should have already been synchronized in the cloud by the function of the browser.

Says goodbye to the worn -out Windows 10, and before reinstalling a clear OS, listing all the open tabs into one tab, exporting this list. To do.

"ONETAB" for Chrome extension that can list all open tabs with one click

Store this in the cloud, send it to yourself, or store it in a USB memory.

One thing to keep in mind is to keep the destination of this file.This is because all the open tab data is included.

If you are the same type as me, it must be a huge list.

How to revive apps and games after reinstalling Windows 10

Now, let's say you back up all the data you need, take a deep breath, reinstall Windows 10, and star at the PC that is clear.

Another article (English) has already explained all important steps and settings to know.

Here, we will explain important steps that you want to keep right after reinstallation.

● Let your Microsoft account together with Windows 10.The OS is now activated and you can synchronize the settings.

● Copy the backed up user data to the machine.

My recommendation is to provide a folder called "previous PC" and copy everything there.It is a good idea to decide the final storage location of each file while using this data as a master (again, but no matter how many backups are).

● Re -install major apps using tools like "Ninite" (or "Chocolatey").

● "Steam", "Epic" "Battle".Select and install your favorite game services such as "net".

However, do not download the game here.If you have saved your backup, find the game from it and copy it to the original location.After completing this work, use the game service app to "install" at the original location of each game title.

In this case, instead of re -downloading the game from scratch, you should just verify the existing files and download only some of the necessary parts (Battlele)..Some game service apps, such as NETs, are already scanning game files in the drive.

In the case of a contract that has a limited amount of data every month, you will not need to use this method to consume a limited giga to download data that is already at hand.

● Set an online account as you proceed with these tasks at the same time.

This includes all apps that require a user name and password, including all apps that require content synchronization with cloud storage, main email accounts, schedule management services.Password managers should also need settings.

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Image: LukManazis/Shutterstock.com

Source: backblaze

David Murphy --lifehacker US [Original text]