Solved Have this popup about 3 times now!

JAM83 · Jan 28, 2024

Ghot said:
I decided NOT to add it. It's in Winaero and the Leader Board is getting pretty big already.

Nope, I don't use Winaero. . . .

Ghot · Jan 28, 2024

During the Windows install, if you just skip, say NO, and UNcheck everything, you shouldn't get those popups.

Generally, this is how I install Windows...

1. Disconnect all internet and all "other drives".
2. Clean install Windows with "Local" account. (See Clean Install tutorial). (You can switch to MS account later if desired).
3. During install... skip, say NO, or uncheck, everything.
4. Install motherboard and vid card drivers, and things like printer, camera, keyboard/mouse drivers if you require them.
5. If nothing is broken... make a full OS backup.
6. Reconnect the internet and do the Windows Updates (if any)
7. If nothing is broken... make a full OS backup.
8. Do all your program installs, tweaks, personalizations, etc.,
9. Use REVO uninstaller to remove all the un-needed MS junk.
10. If nothing is broken... make your final, full OS backup. The previous two backups were just temporary ones.

The backup made in step #10 is the backup I work with, from that time forward.
Any time there's a new program that needs tested, a major tweak, Windows Updates, etc., make a fresh backup "before" you proceed.

If at any time, you even "think" you broke something or "might" have been infected, stop what you're doing and restore from the last healthy backup.

These are the things that work for me.
Some people have much more complex setups, and will have to come up with a plan of their own.

But the general method of leap frogging from backup to backup, and never just "letting things ride", should work for everyone.

Only make backups when everything is functioning properly.
If something isn't working properly... stop and fix it.
Don't "do" anything or make fresh backups until everything is fixed.

Recommendations...

1. Keep the used space on your Windows partition as small as possible. This allows for very fast backups and restores.
2. IMO... it's best NOT to fool around with your User files. Just leave them where they are.
3. Always export your bookmarks on a regular basis, to somewhere on a storage drive.
4. Keep a folder where you record (texts, reg patches, pics, etc.), all the tweaks you've done, as you do them.

The End.

Haydon · Jan 28, 2024

Ghot said:
During the Windows install, if you just skip, say NO, and UNcheck everything, you shouldn't get those popups.

Generally, this is how I install Windows...

1. Disconnect all internet and all "other drives".
2. Clean install Windows with "Local" account. (See Clean Install tutorial). (You can switch to MS account later if desired).
3. During install... skip, say NO, or uncheck, everything.
4. Install motherboard and vid card drivers, and things like printer, camera, keyboard/mouse drivers if you require them.
5. If nothing is broken... make a full OS backup.
6. Reconnect the internet and do the Windows Updates (if any)
7. If nothing is broken... make a full OS backup.
8. Do all your program installs, tweaks, personalizations, etc.,
9. Use REVO uninstaller to remove all the un-needed MS junk.
10. If nothing is broken... make your final, full OS backup. The previous two backups were just temporary ones.

The backup made in step #10 is the backup I work with, from that time forward.
Any time there's a new program that needs tested, a major tweak, Windows Updates, etc., make a fresh backup "before" you proceed.

If at any time, you even "think" you broke something or "might" have been infected, stop what you're doing and restore from the last healthy backup.

These are the things that work for me.
Some people have much more complex setups, and will have to come up with a plan of their own.

But the general method of leap frogging from backup to backup, and never just "letting things ride", should work for everyone.

Only make backups when everything is functioning properly.
If something isn't working properly... stop and fix it.
Don't "do" anything or make fresh backups until everything is fixed.

Recommendations...

1. Keep the used space on your Windows partition as small as possible. This allows for very fast backups and restores.
2. IMO... it's best NOT to fool around with your User files. Just leave them where they are.
3. Always export your bookmarks on a regular basis, to somewhere on a storage drive.
4. Keep a folder where you record (texts, reg patches, pics, etc.), all the tweaks you've done, as you do them.

The End.

Wow, I'm positive that 99.999% of Windows users buy OEM, use the super-express setup, say yes to the very few remaining options, and that's the least trouble for them

Ghot · Jan 28, 2024

Haydon said:
Wow, I'm positive that 99.999% of Windows users buy OEM, use the super-express setup, say yes to the very few remaining options, and that's the least trouble for them

Well, I must be the .001%
And my comp doesn't have problems.

Haydon · Jan 29, 2024

Ghot said:
Well, I must be the .001%
And my comp doesn't have problems.

Yes, you are. You are highly skilled.

But if someone in the vast majority tries to emulate your recipe, then they are likely to bite off more than they can chew.

The recipe itself is great, though.

Ghot · Jan 29, 2024

Haydon said:
Yes, you are. You are highly skilled.

But if someone in the vast majority tries to emulate your recipe, then they are likely to bite off more than they can chew.

The recipe itself is great, though.

SSDs are cheap these days. There's no reason to install large programs and games on the Windows partition.
With the large programs and games installed elsewhere, backups and restores are very fast (say, two minutes or less).

Now... 3rd party backup software becomes a tool for quick fixes. For me... that is what's important.
Especially since MS has been tossing monkey wrenches in the works, every other month or so.

The sad part is, that it's gonna get a lot worse, before it gets better. Microsoft has lost it's rudder.

Scannerman · Jan 29, 2024

I've had it a number of times but never bothered to count how many I selected "yes" for and how many times I chose "remind me" on how many PCs and how many installations of Win 11 I've done. I do think it has something to do with any major Windows Updates, probably to re-associate the user to the idea of selecting One Drive, which, I concur, can can be annoying. Going through these steps once should be enough. I'm pretty sure the last time, on my work station, I selected "yes". So far it hasn't been back.

Flashorn · Jan 29, 2024

Hazel123 said:
Basically, "Continue" is - ignore. "Remind me in 3 days" is - we're hoping you'll take up the offer

I never continue unless I know what I'm getting myself into!!
Seriously though, this should have been done when I re-installed last June.
And NO, I don't need anymore help with choosing or not what I need.
I really would like to know @Hazel123 if you have received your new SSD
and if so, did you install and what you think of it ? Better or the same.

Flashorn · Jan 29, 2024

Ghot said:
SSDs are cheap these days.

Not for long it seems. From what I have read , come April, those cheap SSDs will be no more.

Winuser · Jan 29, 2024

Ghot said:
SSDs are cheap these days. There's no reason to install large programs and games on the Windows partition.

It's a matter of preference. I prefer installing all of my programs on my C: drive. With all of my programs installed on drive C:, the last time I did a did a system restore it only took less than 8 minutes.

Flashorn · Jan 29, 2024

Winuser said:
It's a matter of preference. I prefer installing all of my programs on my C: drive. With all of my programs installed on drive C:, the last time I did a did a system restore it only took less than 8 minutes.

8 minutes for a System Restore is a long time. How much data is on that drive?
I have a 2TB C drive of which 681 GBs are used and the last time I did a restore
it only took about 3 minutes to complete.
I also choose to have all my games and apps on the C drive.

Hazel123 · Jan 29, 2024

Flashorn said:
I never continue unless I know what I'm getting myself into!!
Seriously though, this should have been done when I re-installed last June.
And NO, I don't need anymore help with choosing or not what I need.
I really would like to know @Hazel123 if you have received your new SSD
and if so, did you install and what you think of it ? Better or the same.

It’s arrived and I should have it installed some time this week and will update

Hazel123 · Jan 29, 2024

As to the continue matter - I did just have this on a very old netbook with windows 11 on - after an update. It was signed in with a local account but the update brought up a partial OOBE with the continue the page mentioned. I clicked on continur and it took me to other options (with the option to skip) so skipped the offer - it then takes you to a page to sign in with a Microsoft account. So I kind of think it’s to try and get people to sign in with a Microsoft account if they have a local account. I did actually sign in with my Microsoft account - maybe I should have tried seeing if the command code worked at that point to keep signed in with a local account.

Flashorn · Jan 29, 2024

Hazel123 said:
It’s arrived and I should have it installed some time this week and will update

I know you know this but, battery should be disconnected and then power on
to make sure no power is left in the Capacitors. Power on with power cable attached.
And please, make use of a anti-static bracelet or a pad. Maybe brush off the fans
while you're in there.
Can't wait to hear from you.

Hazel123 · Jan 29, 2024

Flashorn said:
I know you know this but, battery should be disconnected and then power on
to make sure no power is left in the Capacitors. Power on with power cable attached.
And please, make use of a anti-static bracelet or a pad. Maybe brush off the fans
while you're in there.
Can't wait to hear from you.

Cheers

. Yes I know this

It does no harm to be reminded - along with having something to put the screws in so they don’t get lost! And I did forget to remove the battery on one occasion. Waiting for some ram to install at the same time hence later this week.

Flashorn · Jan 29, 2024

Hazel123 said:
Cheers . Yes I know this It does no harm to be reminded - along with having something to put the screws in so they don’t get lost! And I did forget to remove the battery on one occasion. Waiting for some ram to install at the same time hence later this week.

Darn, new RAM as well!
You will have let us know for sure how it all went.
Yes, those screws are a pain on a notebook. Not all are the same.
On a new notebook or one that I am working on for the first time,
I take a sheet of paper and make a template of the holes by punching
holes in it and placing the corresponding screws in the paper template.
Just makes it easier to put it all back together and you don't lose any
of them.

Winuser · Jan 29, 2024

Flashorn said:
8 minutes for a System Restore is a long time. How much data is on that drive?
I have a 2TB C drive of which 681 GBs are used and the last time I did a restore
it only took about 3 minutes to complete.
I also choose to have all my games and apps on the C drive.

Actually I was estimating the time and is why I said less than 8 minutes. For my main desktop I have a 1TB NVMe drive for my OS drive and make my weekly Macrium Images to my 2 TB Samsung T7 SSD. I also use other imaging programs that I use to make monthly Images. They get saved to USB 3.0 HDDS. I also use USB 3.0 drives to backup my other computers. I haven't had to do a restore from a USB HDD in years so even though I use them for my images, I have no clue how long it would take.

Flashorn · Jan 29, 2024

Winuser said:
Actually I was estimating the time and is why I said less than 8 minutes. For my main desktop I have a 1TB NVMe drive for my OS drive and make my weekly Macrium Images to my 2 TB Samsung T7 SSD. I also use other imaging programs that I use to make monthly Images. They get saved to USB 3.0 HDDS. I also use USB 3.0 drives to backup my other computers. I haven't had to do a restore from a USB HDD in years so even though I use them for my inages, I have no clue how long it would take.

Ok so, I know this will sound a bit odd to allot of you but, I still have the 1TB drive that came with this notebook.
What I like to do when time permits is, I clone over the original SSD every time I make changes like add a game.
I do have Macrium images but, i also like to have options. SR will fix the stupid in me and Macrium should get me
back to what I was doing but, the old SSD is there as a final backup. Pls don't hate on me for this.

Winuser · Jan 30, 2024

Flashorn said:
Ok so, I know this will sound a bit odd to allot of you but, I still have the 1TB drive that came with this notebook.
What I like to do when time permits is, I clone over the original SSD every time I make changes like add a game.
I do have Macrium images but, i also like to have options. SR will fix the stupid in me and Macrium should get me
back to what I was doing but, the old SSD is there as a final backup. Pls don't hate on me for this.

I'm not sure about what your asking. Are yo asking what programs I use other then Macrium? If you are, I use Aomei Backupper and Easus Todo Backupper. I use Macruim weekly, Aomei at the beginning of the month and Easus in the middle of the month on my main desktop. On my second desktop I was only using Macrium. Two days ago I decide to try Hasleo. Making the image was fairly easy. I haven't tried doing a restore yet. I did make a rescue disk and unless I did something wrong, it was a pain. I chose my USB flash drive as the destination and all it did was format the drive. I had to create an ISO and use Rufus to make the bootable drive. There is an option to add a boot option to the start menu but I'm using the computer and don't feel like messing with it at this time.

Flashorn · Jan 30, 2024

Winuser said:
I'm not sure about what your asking

Sorry if sounded that way but, I was only pointing out what I do to make sure I have
enough backups to counter any stupid moves I may make or if one of those updates
screws up this version. It's all good @Winuser .