22H2-A good time to develop a backup plan if you haven't already.

Alex__ASSR · Sep 17, 2022

I don't have anything important to backup, my games are on the HD separate from windows, and my documents and applications too.

CountMike · Sep 17, 2022

Alex__ASSR said:
I don't have anything important to backup, my games are on the HD separate from windows, and my documents and applications too.

View attachment 39463

Some of your games may also have a problem if you reinstall Windows. even when installed on another disk or partition some part of them is still in C: and in registry and would have to be reinstalled.

glasskuter · Sep 17, 2022

Alex__ASSR said:
I don't have anything important to backup, my games are on the HD separate from windows, and my documents and applications too.

Then you DO have something to backup...What happens if your secondary drive fails? How do you think Windows knows where to access those files and folders on the secondary drive if not for the registry which resides on your boot drive. It doesn't matter where one puts their stuff. If one has stuff, then they have something they need to backup.

Edwin · Sep 17, 2022

Y'all convinced me!!! I'm doin a backup right now!!!

glasskuter · Sep 17, 2022

Edwin said:
I'm doin a backup right now!

You are so full of it. :ROFLMAO:

Edwin · Sep 17, 2022

glasskuter said:
You are so full of it.

You're right! I've got too much junk to sort through first!

Bree · Sep 17, 2022

OldMainframeGuy said:
I use the commercial (paid) version of Macrium Reflect to back up my data drive nightly and my system drive weekly....

I used Reflect Free for years. I only really bought my 4-pack of licences to thank them for all those years of trouble-free use :thumbsup:

TraderGary · Sep 17, 2022

Bree said:
I used Reflect Free for years. I only really bought my 4-pack of licences to thank them for all those years of trouble-free use

I decided on the license version because of Image Guardian (ransomware protection), and Rapid Delta cloning/restore.

Bree · Sep 17, 2022

TraderGary said:
I decided on the license version because of Image Guardian (ransomware protection), and Rapid Delta cloning/restore.

Yes, all nice to have, I appreciate and use them now - and Incremental backups. But none are essentials, Reflect Free does the job for anyone wanting to start making backups.

Wynona · Sep 17, 2022

CountMike said:
I have my MS account ever since beginning of internet, Hotmail is one of safest E-mail accounts and account itself was most helpful.

Yep, my Microsoft account for Windows 11 goes all the way back as far as at least windows 95.

Ghot · Sep 17, 2022

I've had an MS account for a long time.... it's just not hooked to Windows.

TraderGary · Sep 17, 2022

My first PC was the original IBM PC in 1981 purchased from the IBM store in Atlanta. It ran the first version of Microsoft DOS. There was no such thing as Microsoft Windows back then. I don't recall when I actually obtained a Microsoft Account. I'm sure it would have been when first available.

glasskuter · Sep 17, 2022

I know some of you cringe every time the subject of backup comes up. I do, too. For those of us who do it, it's second nature. For those who don't, I think there should be a sticky at the top of every forum category that encourages them to do so. It's that important. Would everyone do it? No, but some would. Can you imagine how fewer posts we would see from people in trouble if more would backup? Oh course, John would have reason not to like that.

We mention it here more than any forum I've visited. IMO, this is a sign we genuinely want to help and actually teach the people who come here the easiest, fastest way to get themselves out of trouble when all else fails. I feel if I reach just one with anything I say, it's worth it, even though I'm sick of talking about it, as are most of you.

PS How did this thread get de-railed to a MS account?

Bastet · Sep 17, 2022

glasskuter said:
@Bastet I look at the threads right here on this one and bury my head in my hands. I might could understand if one had to buy a backup program or if the process was difficult to do, but we know neither is so. The biggest problem is that people are too complacent in thinking that nothing bad will ever happen to them. To me, backing up is the same for my computer as changing the oil in my car...preventive maintenance. I say to everyone I know, "Having a backup is not for IF your computer has trouble, but WHEN. It's gonna happen some time or another."

I can accept some users believe they don’t need backups, then after something goes seriously wrong they realise they do need idk imaging software but there are those who point blank refuse to use anything then get into a panic when they cannot access their pc or it is hit with malware. And it is usually the fact that they have photos which cannot be replaced on their system.

CountMike · Sep 17, 2022

I just made it automatic on a schedule, don't have to think about it.

Alex__ASSR · Sep 17, 2022

CountMike said:
Some of your games may also have a problem if you reinstall Windows. even when installed on another disk or partition some part of them is still in C: and in registry and would have to be reinstalled.

Well nothing ever happened, I've reinstalled windows several times, I think it's fair who can and has a place to make backups of large files, as I don't have a host that supports this for free, I'm subject to dexalos on the HDD.

Alex__ASSR · Sep 17, 2022

glasskuter said:
Then you DO have something to backup...What happens if your secondary drive fails? How do you think Windows knows where to access those files and folders on the secondary drive if not for the registry which resides on your boot drive. It doesn't matter where one puts their stuff. If one has stuff, then they have something they need to backup.

I understand, but where to backup 1 tera of game for free? as I don't have where to do it for free I prefer to download everything again from steam.
but yes backups are important.

cereberus · Sep 18, 2022

Alex__ASSR said:
I understand, but where to backup 1 tera of game for free? as I don't have where to do it for free I prefer to download everything again from steam.
but yes backups are important.

Yeah this is a good point. Backups are important but HOW and WHAT you backup is MORE important.

I use the following strategy.

1) Critical data is backed up to an external drive and onedrive

2) important (not critical) data is backed up to an external drive and sonetimes onedrive depending how important

3} Routine data that I cannot easily reobtain, to external drive.

4) Routine data I can redownload e.g. videos (and as you say Steam games), I do not bother backing up.

Actually the last category is about 90% of my data - so I only backup about 10% of my data. I see no point in backing up stuff I can redownload easy enough.

Of course, each user will differ e.g. a lawyer may backup a lot of critical data. A photographer may backup current client work as critical, but past work as important.

So you can take the blind approach and back everything up using a lot of storage (virtual hoarding) or you can take a thoughtout approach which will use a lot less storage.

The key question one should always ask is "How upset willI be if I lost that data?".