What is the best way to back up my system settings and apps prior to running System reset?

A few weeks ago I experienced file corruption after running System Restore to restore my system to an earlier state, that removed Windows features such as the task bar, icons, and access to settings once I signed in. I had to run apps by selecting the program from a Program Files folder.

I requested tech support from Microsoft to help with this problem. The technician that worked on my system successfully restored my Windows access. However, I noticed after he completed the troubleshooting that now, whenever I log in or log out, I see the Windows lock screen, immediately followed by a black screen featuring the day and time, and a place to enter my login PIN. I found no way to log in from the lock screen itself.

Reinstalling Windows didn't solve my problem, so I asked my computer's manufacturer - ASUS - for help. The ASUS support agent suggested I reset the computer to its factory settings in the repair partition, which would delete my apps and settings but preserve my personal files. I plan to try that approach, but I don't wish to spend a lot of time reinstalling apps and copying settings. I backed up both the apps and settings with Windows backup, but then learned that I can only restore that data on a new PC or during a Windows re-installation. That won't help in this case since I need to perform a Factory reset.

Can anyone suggest a backup program I can use to backup the apps and settings so that I can restore them fairly easily once the factory reset is completed? I made a full image backup of my files, followed by a differential backup to be followed by an incremental one, but I don't know how I can selectively restore the apps or settings from those backups.

Macrium Reflect is what I use.
Not sure if it will do what you need it to do.

accordeoniste said:

. . . but I don't know how I can selectively restore the apps or settings from those backups.

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The short answer is that you can't selectively restore your settings & apps.

However, all is not lost!!

You can run a a Repair Install of Windows (Option 2) which will retain all your settings & apps, subject to the following criteria -

• You will only be able to perform a repair install of Windows 11 from within Windows 11. You will not be able to perform a repair install at boot or in Safe Mode.
• The Windows 11 installation media (ISO or USB) must be the same edition, same version, and same or higher build as the currently installed Windows 11.
• The Windows 11 installation media (ISO or USB) must be for the same language as your currently installed Windows 11.
• Otherwise, you can't keep personal files and / or apps

MS 'System Restore' is unreliable at the best of times.

I would suugest that you backup your system & data using one of the following Macrium Reflect (which I use) or AOMEI

Hello IanMosley,

Thanks for your advice. I'm writing to ask for clarification.

You said in your reply "Otherwise, you can't keep personal files and / or apps". Does that mean that I can keep my personal files, settings and apps after I run the Repair Install, provided I meet the three requirement as you stated?

Also do either Macrium Reflect or AOMEI offer image backups or the ability to restore the files, settings and apps so that the settings and apps run as before the PC reset, that is?

I only used AOMI but I can say I'm Happy with it. I have done several restores and I'm can say All backed up perfectly

accordeoniste said:

Also do either Macrium Reflect or AOMEI offer image backups

Click to expand...

yes there are several programs that can create an image of the system/partition(s)/disks

or the ability to restore the files, settings and apps so that the settings and apps run as before the PC reset, that is?

Click to expand...

not as far as I know.

Not sure why you had a problem with system restore, perhaps some corruption . It is usually very useful and better run from booted media.

accordeoniste said:

Hello IanMosley,

Thanks for your advice. I'm writing to ask for clarification.

You said in your reply "Otherwise, you can't keep personal files and / or apps". Does that mean that I can keep my personal files, settings and apps after I run the Repair Install, provided I meet the three requirement as you stated?

Also do either Macrium Reflect or AOMEI offer image backups or the ability to restore the files, settings and apps so that the settings and apps run as before the PC reset, that is?

Click to expand...

When you run a 'Repair Install', it will go through various checks and you come to a window like so -



If you want to 'Change what to keep', you open the following window -



When you've made your choice, hit the 'Install' / 'Next' button

Macrium Reflect offers image backups and the ability to restore individual files using a 'File & Folder' method.

You cannot restore individual apps or system settings.


This is my disc setup -



I back everything on Drive1 as one image; all the other partitions are backed up as 'File & Folder' backups

hello
what is the best backup method on the partition where windows is installed ?
Disk Backup ?