Backup Win 8.1 WITH updates and ?s for future resets

sunnygal

New Member
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2
In the past 2 months, I have had to reset Windows twice:

1. I thought that I had some bug as programs weren't loading and I couldn't get to Kaspersky.
2. Six weeks later, I got a Logon_process_initiliazation_failure error. Automatic repair couldn't fix it and I couldn't reboot/repair from the recovery drive. I didn't have any system images stored.

I am have now reloaded Windows from the recovery partition and Kaspersky from disc. I am installing Windows Updates which is taking many hours. Can I backup this updated version of Windows to use for a future reset? I have wasted an entire day on this fiasco.

I was going to try the system image backup in File History. Will that save windows updates or just my personal files?

Also, I haven't been using File History. Will that save my files even if I have to reset and reload Windows? I don't have alot of files and tend to keep them on an external drive, but I would love additional backup options.

Lastly, is there anything I should check in regards to why I got the Logon error? I hadn't loaded any programs lately and was just streaming from Amazon. I was getting some kaspersky warnings about ads wanting to download, but that was it

Nancy
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Personally, I have learned the hard way NOT to trust any built-in backup/restore function.

Instead, I would recommend using Macrium Reflect (MR) to do image backups. This provides a FREE version that can be used to image and restore partitions or entire drives.

What I recommend is the following:
1) Download and install Macrium Reflect (MR)
2) Run MR and choose the option: "Create an image of the partition(s) required to backup and restore Windows" to write a full backup to an external drive or USB stick
3) Use the option to create a boot USB stick or CD

I use this all the time and it typically takes less than 10 minutes to do the image backup and about the same time or less to do a restore. Plus, MR has the option to Add a Recovery Boot Menu entry. This allows you then to boot into WinRE, and you can then use that to do a restore -- when you can't boot into Windows!

NOW, you have the means to restore a full working system from the external drive or USB stick in only a few minutes.

Good Luck
 

My Computer

Mark,
You are awesome! I was just researching MR from another post on this site. I will go this route.

Can you tell me, will this restore the current, updated version of Windows that I am running? Also, will it store my personal files (I will still back them up elsewhere, but would love the attempt at reinstalling all at once)?

I understand that I need to change the boot order in BIOS to boot from a USB stick, but I can't tell which USB to use. Also, I'm not familiar with WinRE. Can you point me in a direction to learn how to boot into WinRE?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
A backup image is a bit for bit copy so if you restore it, it will be exactly like it was when the image was created.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
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