Windows Re-install

On 7/3/2018 7:21 PM, Arlen Holder wrote:
On 3 Jul 2018 22:11:22 GMT, Paul wrote:

I recommend Macrium Reflect Free (because it's free).

Hi Paul,
I have a related question of you since I organize my system so my "backup"
method is just to copy my "data" hierarchy and I'm done with backup.

But it's nice to know what free software method you recommend.

Do you recommend macrium (https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree) over, say,
Aomei Backupper (https://www.backup-utility.com/free-...-software.html)
that Shadow told me about long ago?

What about Back4Sure (http://www.ukrebs-software.de/english/back4sure.html)

Those are the 3 (unused) freeware backup solutions I have in my software
archives, based mostly on recommendations from this ng.

Which do you prefer that would fit the OP's needs and most people's needs?

Remember there are two types of backup. Some people believe the only
back up is an image of the total contents of the disk; OS, System
parameter, programs, and data. I believe Macrium makes an image of the
total disk.

There are others who believe a back up is only the data. Snycback is
an example to this type of back up software. (There is a free version)

I am of the second type. I use Snycback Free and synchronize my data so
my computers all have the same information. I use the File History
from Windows 10 to back up the data from one computer to an external disk.

If I have to reinstall the OS, I accept it as a chance to consider the
programs I had installed in the old OS. The reinstall cleans up any
little problems that have crept into the system with time. It also
gives you a chance to reconsider the customization you did in the
program, and decide it it was necessary or there is a better way of
doing it.

You audit your system and only keep what is needed. You may have a
program that you installed years ago and never use. Do you need to
reinstall it. With the image backup, all of this old stuff stays on
your computer

Time wise, I suspect that the total image type of back up will take
more of your time over the life of the computer, that the data backup.


--
2018: The year we learn to play the great game of Euchre

"VanguardLH" wrote in message ...

When you did the upgrade, you created a Microsoft account where
your license got stored.
When you do the fresh install of Windows 10, it will connect to
your Microsoft account to validate your license.

Let's backup..

Your two statements above are false.

True would be.
=" 'When you did the upgrade, your device footprint, qualifying os and
license were stored on the MSFT server'.
= 'When you do a fresh install of Windows 10, it will connect to the MSFT
server to validate your license'

Each of the above true statements occur with or without a MSFT account(MSA).

- A Windows 10 license is **not* stored in a MSA

When a MSFT account is used it is only linked to the *license on the device*
and primarily comes in to play when one needs to reactive Windows(after an
install) ***after a hardware change***
"In Windows 10 (Version 1607 or later), you can link your Microsoft account
to the Windows 10 digital license on your device. This can help you
reactivate Windows using the Activation troubleshooter if you make a
significant hardware change later. But you must link the account to your PC
prior to the significant hardware change occurring."

The install talks to the activation server and looks for the device - if
acceptable Win10 is activated.
If a significant hardware change occurs and activation is not approved one
can use the Activation troubleshooter to help reactivate Windows 10. When
the troubleshooter acknowledges Windows 10 can't be activate, one can select
'I changed hardware' and ***then enter the MSA and password*** and proceed
through the process to attempt to activate the device.


--
....w¡ñ§±¤ñ
ms mvp windows 2007-2016, insider mvp 2016-2018

Arlen Holder wrote:
On 3 Jul 2018 22:11:22 GMT, Paul wrote:

I recommend Macrium Reflect Free (because it's free).

Hi Paul,
I have a related question of you since I organize my system so my "backup"
method is just to copy my "data" hierarchy and I'm done with backup.

But it's nice to know what free software method you recommend.

Do you recommend macrium (https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree) over, say,
Aomei Backupper (https://www.backup-utility.com/free-...-software.html)
that Shadow told me about long ago?

What about Back4Sure (http://www.ukrebs-software.de/english/back4sure.html)

Those are the 3 (unused) freeware backup solutions I have in my software
archives, based mostly on recommendations from this ng.

Which do you prefer that would fit the OP's needs and most people's needs?

There are around 20 programs available to do the job.

And on some, you can tell a CS graduate who has
taken a "Usability Course" was in on the design.
Acronis, a recent trial I tried out, makes it
pretty difficult for the user to go off the rails.

Acronis: Good GUI, weaker on technical issues (see Acronis Disk Doctor)
Macrium: Confusing GUI, stronger on technical issues (you can tell they test stuff)

Just about all these products, need a 150-200 page manual to discuss
all the options. Macrium leaves a lot of elements on the screen,
exposes a lot of stuff, which can be distracting. Or, in some
cases, it distracts enough to prevent you from seeing
the full capability (you can actually back up multiple
disks in one run, something I didn't figure out
for... months).

As for the rest, you can find the RaymondCC web page
with the quick review. AOMEI has relatively good speed.
I don't know any more about it off hand, than that.

Paul

nospam wrote:

In article , VanguardLH
wrote:

My desktop is running Windows 10 Home Premium 64 bit. I received this
version of Windows as a free upgrade from Windows 7. I am now having
several problems with the computer. It will not recognize my 3 TB
external drive any more, it will not recognize my printer or allow me
to reinstall it and it will not allow me to send emails with
attachments. It looks like time to do a clean install of Windows 10.
My question is this - do I have to purchase a new copy of Windows 10
as I have no media to use to reload it.

Go to microsoft.com.
Sign-in.
Click on the blue My Account icon at the top right.
View Microsoft account.
Under Devices, click Manage.

Is your Windows 10 license listed there? When you did the upgrade, you
created a Microsoft account where your license got stored. That way,
you don't have to hunt around for the product key. When you do the
fresh install of Windows 10, it will connect to your Microsoft account
to validate your license.

creating a microsoft account is optional and has no effect on any
entitlements nor does anything need to be validated nor must one sign
in to reinstall it (assuming an entitlement exists).

Answer the OP's question on what he needs to do to perform a clean
install instead of nitpicking my or anyone else's replies. Again you
are making assumption about what the OP has or does not have, like the
product key.

i'm not nitpicking anything, you made yet another incorrect claim.

as for his problem, i did answer it. win10 uses entitlements. if he's
installed it once, he can reinstall it again on the same hardware.

Define where "entitlements" are recorded.

microsoft. duh.

Oh, you don't know. Winston had a better explanation but still lacking
how it all works during an install.

In article , VanguardLH
wrote:

My desktop is running Windows 10 Home Premium 64 bit. I received this
version of Windows as a free upgrade from Windows 7. I am now having
several problems with the computer. It will not recognize my 3 TB
external drive any more, it will not recognize my printer or allow me
to reinstall it and it will not allow me to send emails with
attachments. It looks like time to do a clean install of Windows 10.
My question is this - do I have to purchase a new copy of Windows 10
as I have no media to use to reload it.

Go to microsoft.com.
Sign-in.
Click on the blue My Account icon at the top right.
View Microsoft account.
Under Devices, click Manage.

Is your Windows 10 license listed there? When you did the upgrade, you
created a Microsoft account where your license got stored. That way,
you don't have to hunt around for the product key. When you do the
fresh install of Windows 10, it will connect to your Microsoft account
to validate your license.

creating a microsoft account is optional and has no effect on any
entitlements nor does anything need to be validated nor must one sign
in to reinstall it (assuming an entitlement exists).

Answer the OP's question on what he needs to do to perform a clean
install instead of nitpicking my or anyone else's replies. Again you
are making assumption about what the OP has or does not have, like the
product key.

i'm not nitpicking anything, you made yet another incorrect claim.

as for his problem, i did answer it. win10 uses entitlements. if he's
installed it once, he can reinstall it again on the same hardware.

Define where "entitlements" are recorded.

microsoft. duh.

Oh, you don't know.

i do know.

you do not.

Winston had a better explanation but still lacking
how it all works during an install.

yes, he did go into more detail and it wasn't lacking at all.

he also confirmed that you were (and still are) wrong.

On 4 Jul 2018 02:29:42 GMT, Paul wrote:

Acronis: Good GUI, weaker on technical issues (see Acronis Disk Doctor)
Macrium: Confusing GUI, stronger on technical issues (you can tell they test stuff)

Thanks Paul.

For the OP, I think Macrium makes the most sense, offhand.

I took a peek at Acronis but it seems to not be freeware.
https://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/true-image-features/imaging/

I dislike the "try it for free" button it has, so I didn't hit it.

In my software archive, should I need it, are these which should do most of
us well, including the OP.

1. Macrium Reflect (the stub downloads Macrium plus Windows PE)
https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree
2. Aomei Backupper
https://www.backup-utility.com/free-backup-software.html
3. Back4Sure
http://www.ukrebs-software.de/english/back4sure.html
4. SyncBackFree
https://www.2brightsparks.com/freeware/index.html

Thanks!

On 4 Jul 2018 02:07:08 GMT, Keith Nuttle wrote:

Remember there are two types of backup. Some people believe the only
back up is an image of the total contents of the disk; OS, System
parameter, programs, and data. I believe Macrium makes an image of the
total disk.

This is a great point, in that, I think, "most people" want a "clone",
where, for me, I only want my data. Everything else is trivial to reproduce
on a new system.

I think the OP is likely in the "clone" category, while, admittedly, the
*last* thing I want is to waste bits on installed software and their menus
(since I already solved that backup problem decades ago).

There are others who believe a back up is only the data. Snycback is
an example to this type of back up software. (There is a free version)

Ah. SyncBack? Let's check it out!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SyncBack
Hmmmmmmm... I see they have 4 versions:

This seems to be the canonical site, at least on first inspection:
https://www.2brightsparks.com/freeware/index.html

Thanks for that pointer, where I now have 4 choices in my "backup" archive:
1. Macrium Reflect (the stub downloads Macrium plus Windows PE)
2. Aomei Backupper
3. Back4Sure
4. SyncBackFree


I am of the second type. I use Snycback Free and synchronize my data so
my computers all have the same information. I use the File History
from Windows 10 to back up the data from one computer to an external disk.

This seems generally useful!

If I have to reinstall the OS, I accept it as a chance to consider the
programs I had installed in the old OS. The reinstall cleans up any
little problems that have crept into the system with time. It also
gives you a chance to reconsider the customization you did in the
program, and decide it it was necessary or there is a better way of
doing it.

Yup. Every time I install Windows, I find new stuff to hone, such as
improving the menu tree or learning how to move the often-used folders like
screenshots. At this point, I'm up to 60 "things" that need to be done
after each brand-new install, where I keep buying new disks for the new OS
so that the old disks can be left alone.

You audit your system and only keep what is needed. You may have a
program that you installed years ago and never use. Do you need to
reinstall it. With the image backup, all of this old stuff stays on
your computer

Yup. Each time I install a new system, I basically only need my "data", and
the programs come out of an installer archive where I can pick and choose.
For example, I might have used SketchUp or Adobe Acrobat or CutePDF years
ago, but no longer need it, so I don't install it this time around.

I agree with your methodology which seems to be well planned out.
The OP doesn't seem to have that methodology though, so he probably needs
the clone tools more so than the data-sync tools.

Time wise, I suspect that the total image type of back up will take
more of your time over the life of the computer, that the data backup.

I agree that it's a space and time waster, in many cases, to bring along
the old baggage to pollute the new "home" for Windows. I tool like to start
fresh, with only my data being what I care about since everything else is
easily replaced).

Arlen Holder wrote:


Yup. Each time I install a new system, I basically only need my "data", and
the programs come out of an installer archive where I can pick and choose.

If you make a backup image, those can be mounted and randomly
accessed like it's a hard drive. It's possible to copy
any portion you want from the old setup that way.

This is an easy way to ensure you got everything, without
really trying.

Paul

VanguardLH wrote:

Define where "entitlements" are recorded.


No such term exists in MSFT-speak. In fact even the previous mention of the
term on the Windows Update Activation UI screen was removed effective
Windows Anniversary Edition 1607.

"Digital entitlement is the previous method (Prior to the Anniversary
edition) of activation in Windows 10 that doesn't require you to enter a
product key when re-installing Windows 10 on the same computer / device.

•Starting with the November 2015 Update, Windows 10 (Version 1511) can be
activated using some Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 product keys. For
more info, see the section Activating Windows 10 (Version 1511 or higher)
using a Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 product key in this topic.

•Starting with the August 2nd 2016 release of the Anniversary edition
(Version 1607) some subtle but important changes have been made. Most
important is the ability to link your Microsoft account to the digital
license on your device."Activating Windows 10 after a hardware configuration
change
If you made a significant hardware change to your device (such as
replacing the motherboard) Windows 10 might no longer be activated. If
you're running Windows 10 (Version 1607) and added your Microsoft account
and linked it to the digital license on your device, you can use the
Activation troubleshooter to reactivate Windows. For more info, see Using
the Activation troubleshooter"



--
...w¡ñ§±¤ñ
msft mvp windows experience 2007-2016, insider mvp 2016-2018

VanguardLH wrote:

Oh, you don't know. Winston had a better explanation but still lacking
how it all works during an install.

The OP didn't ask that question. Are you asking it for him/her ?

The OP's only question was whether or not a purchase of a new copy was
required to clean install and reload Windows on a device running W10H from
the free-upgrade from Windows 7.
= Answer: No


--
...w¡ñ§±¤ñ
msft mvp windows experience 2007-2016, insider mvp 2016-2018

On 7/4/2018 12:15 AM, Paul wrote:
Arlen Holder wrote:


Yup. Each time I install a new system, I basically only need my
"data", and
the programs come out of an installer archive where I can pick and
choose.

If you make a backup image, those can be mounted and randomly
accessed like it's a hard drive. It's possible to copy
any portion you want from the old setup that way.

This is an easy way to ensure you got everything, without
really trying.

Â*Â* Paul
I find it easier to be forced to decide to reinstall a piece of
software, than to find the time and motivation to uninstall it.



--
2018: The year we learn to play the great game of Euchre

"KenW" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 03 Jul 2018 08:08:48 -0400, Shoe wrote:

My desktop is running Windows 10 Home Premium 64 bit. I received this
version of Windows as a free upgrade from Windows 7. I am now having
several problems with the computer. It will not recognize my 3 TB
external drive any more, it will not recognize my printer or allow me
to reinstall it and it will not allow me to send emails with
attachments. It looks like time to do a clean install of Windows 10.
My question is this - do I have to purchase a new copy of Windows 10
as I have no media to use to reload it.

Get the Media Creation Tool. It allows you to create either a dvd iso
or usb stick. I would try a repair reinstall first. From within Win 10
run the Setup.exe from either one, that will not touch your programs
or files. If nothing gets repaired, you can use either to do a clean
install. Since you already have Windows 10, it will get activated
automatically.

Here's a step-by-step video of how to do a repair installation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldqFdcGL1X0

I did this when I was having a number of Cortana and other minor problems,
and it corrected them all. Took about 40 minutes after the download, IIRC.
--

SC Tom

Keith Nuttle wrote:
[...]

Remember there are two types of backup. Some people believe the only
back up is an image of the total contents of the disk; OS, System
parameter, programs, and data. I believe Macrium makes an image of the
total disk.

There are others who believe a back up is only the data. Snycback is
an example to this type of back up software. (There is a free version)

I am of the second type. I use Snycback Free and synchronize my data so
my computers all have the same information. I use the File History
from Windows 10 to back up the data from one computer to an external disk.

I am of the third type! :-) I make image backup (of all small
partitions and C of the 'system' *and* file-level backup of the
'data'.

If I have to reinstall the OS, I accept it as a chance to consider the
programs I had installed in the old OS. The reinstall cleans up any
little problems that have crept into the system with time. It also
gives you a chance to reconsider the customization you did in the
program, and decide it it was necessary or there is a better way of
doing it.

You audit your system and only keep what is needed. You may have a
program that you installed years ago and never use. Do you need to
reinstall it. With the image backup, all of this old stuff stays on
your computer

Doing a clean install and take it from there is a nice approach *if*
you have the time to do that. I.e. if your system is down/unusable and
you have to do all that stuff before you can get back to 'work', that
may take too much time or/and effort.

That's why I make both image and file backup.

Time wise, I suspect that the total image type of back up will take
more of your time over the life of the computer, that the data backup.

That's why I make image backup every month and continuous (or at
least once a day) file backup. That way - in case of a 'disaster' - I
can bring my 'system' back to what it was at most a month ago and my
'data' to what it was at most a day ago.

FYI, the file backup takes none of my time, because it's fully
automatic and goes to a Network Share (i.e. no disk to connect/unplug)
and partially to 'the cloud' (Google Drive).

The image backup is done to an external USB disk, so that needs some
handholding, but only once a month.

Every 10 weeks, a full file backup is made to an external USB disk,
which is then transported offsite, for disasters such as burglary, fire,
etc.). The ten-week delta of the most important 'data' is in the cloud.

So now you know how to set up the world's best and most efficient
backup scheme and use it to your heart's content! :-)

On Tue, 3 Jul 2018 22:07:08 -0400, Keith Nuttle
wrote:

Remember there are two types of backup. Some people believe the only
back up is an image of the total contents of the disk; OS, System
parameter, programs, and data. I believe Macrium makes an image of the
total disk.


There are really three types of backup:

Imaging

Cloning

Simply copying the files you want to backup (the type that many people
don't think about).

You don't have to use special backup software to do a backup.

On Tue, 3 Jul 2018 09:08:37 -0400, Big Al wrote:

On 07/03/2018 08:08 AM, Shoe wrote:
My desktop is running Windows 10 Home Premium 64 bit. I received this
version of Windows as a free upgrade from Windows 7. I am now having
several problems with the computer. It will not recognize my 3 TB
external drive any more, it will not recognize my printer or allow me
to reinstall it and it will not allow me to send emails with
attachments. It looks like time to do a clean install of Windows 10.
My question is this - do I have to purchase a new copy of Windows 10
as I have no media to use to reload it.

Get the ISO for a DVD or USB from:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft.../windows10ISO/

You have a digital license and don't need a CD Key any longer. Once on
line MS will see you were previously licensed and activate you
automatically.

But keep a note of the license key handy, if you have it, in case the
digital entitlement is not recognised.