Solved What is the best way to restore data without touching system?

Hey!

Is there any way to backup only data and not the system if you want to restore it later?
I have a problem with tons of DLL files for example and I would like to restore only my data (software and like that) but reinstall the system. I know there is a way to reinstall the system with keeping your data but I am asking about whether that's possible using AOIMEI or Ashampoo for example.

Thank you for reading!

There is no simple solution, but if all your data is under you MS account then those folders can be backed up and restored.

If you have installed apps with various configurations then these will have to be manually installed and configured.

You could also try a repair install, see this link, that may resolve the DLL issues. But do a full image backup first.

It is basic best practice to keep your operating system and applications on one drive and your data on a seperate disk or disks. [You can also use partitioning to separate OS system and Data]

Once you have this setup you can easily backup the separate sections.

if you only have one disk and you cannot partition most backup applications will be capable of setting up backing up seperate folder structure as System or Data, This is of course not as reliable a system as the first option

If you wish to retain Microsoft's User folder structure for main data it is possible to move these to a second drive yet have them work as designed

Hi,
I believe I read there's an app called sync toy probably not in the ms store.

Not sure if sync toy is still available, but it was in it's day a good way to duplicate a folder structure between different drives or partitions- or even just to create a copy in a different folder tree

I will have a look and see I I have a copy somewhere on my systems

I do have a copy on my system but it stopped working after Windows 10 was released

ThrashZone said:

Hi,
I believe I read there's an app called sync toy probably not in the ms store.

Click to expand...

I have been using an app called FreeFileSync for many years to sync my data between laptops and the desktop. Exclusions can be specified and it only copies changed files.

Quandary said:

I have been using an app called FreeFileSync for many years to sync my data between laptops and the desktop. Exclusions can be specified and it only copies changed files.

Click to expand...

Hi,
Maybe that was it.
Yep found it in my bookmarks

FreeFileSync download | SourceForge.net

Karen's Replicator works on Win 10 or Win 11, and it allows you to create "jobs", and run them on a schedule if you want...


And another one, someone turned me onto, that has nothing to do with copying files, but is very useful...
Karen's Directory Printer, will create a text file of the names of all folder and files... etc.

Ghot said:

Karen's Directory Printer, will create a text file of the names of all folder and files... etc.

Karen's Directory Printer the File Cataloging Utility for Windows v5.4.4 Released May 25, 2020 | Karen's Power Tools | Karen's Software

Easily print files and folders list on Windows! Catalog name, size, date, attributes, file hashes like SHA-256, and more.

www.karenware.com

Click to expand...

or go to admin command prompt

cd \
dir /s > dir.txt

cereberus said:

or go to admin command prompt

cd \
dir /s > dir.txt

Click to expand...

I dunno. I think this gives you a wee bit more options. :)