Windows 10: How To Back Up?

I've already created a System Image in the past using that method, but it took over 12 hours to do this... Wouldn't I need to create a brand new System Image each time I wanted to backup my HDD if I wanted to keep my backup up to date?

 

Yep. Welcome to the limitations of Microsoft.

 

Is there any way I can check if the System Image that Windows created actually works? I'd hate to create a System Image and think that I've backed up and then when I actually need to use the System Image I find that it doesn't work...

 

I think it is a vhdx file or something like that? Might be able to mount and explore it, but not sure.

 

If you navigate into the WindowsImageBackup folder hierarchy, you'll eventually hit a folder level where vhdx folders reside. You will have to do this from an admin account (member of Group Administrators is fine, doesn't have to be the built-in Admin account), so you can grant yourself permission to access the various folders you must navigate through. Then, you can right-click the vhdx file of your choice (the big one is usually the so-called "boot partition" where Windows OS files reside), and mount it as a drive. After that Explorer will let you interact with the contents just like any other drive.



HTH,
--Ed--

PS to OP: I just tried this on my production PC, and it works fine for Windows Image backups. You can mount them, and navigate within them just like any other mounted Windows disk volume. Remember to eject them when you're done with them (or you can wait for them to be unmounted during your next shut down or restart).

 

Thanks! I'm going to try this as soon as I can.

I was really worried about thinking that I'm safe because I had created a backup, but then when I actually need the backup it doesn't work and I'm in big trouble...

 

Be careful though. As a virtual drive you will have write access to it!

 

I'm also trying to solve this problem of "merging two folders together from two different USB HDDs" and it's really taking me a long time... Wow!

 

You need to rid yourself of this aversion to 3rd party tools....many of them have their roots in the weakness inherent in Microsoft/Windows, and they are very good at what they do, far, far better than Microsoft will be. When you do that, you will find easier and more efficient ways to do things.

Forget the argument of "I don't want them to have access to my files" - these tools don't have the access to your data you imagine them to have.

 

Agreed. And think of it this way @NiceAndShy - there is not a single corporation or bank or branch of government that is not using third party software to manage and backup data and entire computers. The banks are using third party software to process, store and backup all of your financial data. Governments are using third party software to process, store and backup all of the records associated with you, your identity, your taxes, your licenses, etc. The cash register at WalMart is a computer system running third party software. Accounting and tax firms all use third party software. All the websites you visit, including this forum - created, hosted, stored and backed up with third party software.

So, I have to ask, @NiceAndShy - what do you have on your PC that needs to be safeguarded so secretly that you trust only Microsoft software to access?

 

I appreciate you sharing your advice with me.

I'm just concerned with my security, but maybe I'm being too cautious...?

 

the built-in Backup works not well. For the security you can try Synology, but it's expensive. personaly I recommend EaseUS Todo Backup, easy to use.

 

I know this is a forum dedicated to Windows 10, but I must say that I really love how 'Time Machine' works on my Mac. To do incremental backups all I need to do is plugin the USB HDD that 'Time Machine' is running on and it backs everything I've done up to that point in time.

 

Let me make sure it's known that I'm not doing anything illegal. I'm just concerned with my privacy...

 

Any ideas would be much appreciated!