Windows 10: Backing up all non-windows files automatically?

Recently I helped to upgrade someone's computer from 8.1 to windows 10.
But the windows update refused to work,had no chance to get it to work and tried a ton of options online.
I plan to format the hdd and have a clean w10 install.
The problem is on the hdd contains some personal files,how can i backup all personal files automatically(preferably sort of restoring the files back to the same place automatically too after install)?

TL;DR
What I'm planning to do:
1)Backup personal files on c drive, keep the backup files would be on d drive
2)Do a clean w10 install(start afresh,keeps nothing on c: drive)(afaik the d: drive wont be touched right?)
3)Restore the files back to c:

:)

 

File History Not Backing Up All Folders

Hi,

We noticed the post has been inactive for 48 hours now. We'd like to make sure if you still need assistance regarding this issue.

If the previous recommendation resolved your issue, we encourage you to inform the Community by marking the post as an answer or by clicking on Helpful.

Let us know if you need further assistance.

 

File History Not Backing Up All Folders

I have been using OneDrive since it was SkyDrive, so I know how to use it. I have set up File History to back up to a USB drive. Some of the folders are backed up, but some of them are not (13GB out of 32GB). Why should this happen? How can I fix it?

 

You say you formatted the HDD in order to do a clean install. That action will have deleted all that was on the HDD previously meaning that the old files are not recoverable.

 

Where (what type of drive and size) are the personal files stored? If you formatted the drive you installed to, how did you back up those files first?

 

Sorry, but "non-Windows files" is too vague and broad to be a useful term.

There are lots of "non-Windows" files that are not personal files, so there's no simply way to identify them for backup purposes.

Your only easy options are to either: (1) backup up the entire image, so that all the personal files are automatically included, or (2) select specific personal files and back them up.

As to recovery, even when a drive is reformatted, the existing files are not removed -- but some of them are overwritten.

You MIGHT be able to use data recovery applications to retrieve some of the files you want, but if they have been overwritten, they are gone.

 

Sorry I made a mistake there, I havent formatted the hdd.

 

Sorry for the late reply.
I've edited my post for clarity.
I haven't formatted the drive,just planned to do it but the personal files on it are troublesome to backup 1by1.
The files are store on c: drive(windows system drive) of 200++gb
I'm planning to move the files to d: drive(an 500gb hdd are split into 2 partitions, c: and d*Smile

Im planning to do this:
1)Backup personal files on c drive,the backup files would be on d drive
2)Do a clean w10 install(start afresh,keeps nothing on c: drive)
3)Restore the files back to c:

 

Can u explain the first option?

Did u mean to backup the entire image before formatting?
Can u recommend a software that is easy to use and powerful to do this?

 

@yujinloh

Macrium Reflect. It's free, and also a paid version for advanced functions. #1 recommended here on Tenforums.

Here is a tutorial written by a Tenforums member in our tutorial section.

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect Windows 10 Backup Restore Tutorials

Here is the Macrium Reflect link for the free edition.

Macrium Software | Your Image is Everything

 

Once you have the disk image created, you can mount it (so it appears as another drive letter) and copy whatever you need.

The advantage- no need to worry about forgetting something.

We also strongly advocate the routine use of disk imaging to support Windows- so you can restore Windows to a previous working state should something go wrong that can't be readily fixed. Applies also to any other disk or partition.

 

I've been busy and unable to get back here until now ...

But, others have answered your questions.

And, I have used MR for years and found it to be an invaluable solution for backup and recovery.

 

Thanks for the help.

 

PCmover is the ONLY software that automatically transfers, restores, and upgrades all selected files, folders, settings, user profiles, and even applications from an old PC to a new PC.