Windows 10: How to safely backup user profiles to a NAS?

I want to take daily backups of user profiles - at least AppData, Documents, Descktop - to a NAS drive with some degree of security from malware. There are problems with everything I've tried (or just looked at) so far.

1. Macrium Reflect files and folders backups work, but MR sometimes leaves an open SMB connection under my userid to the NAS. Anything running under my userid can access the target share on the NAS without providing credentials. (This happens if a backup is manually invoked or if the backup definition is changed.)
2. Acronis True image using FTP would be a good solution, but the Acronis FTP client is incredibly buggy. Backup management is unreliable.
3. WinSCP would allow secure backups using SFTP, SCP, or WebDAV, but it chokes on the symbolic links (or perhaps junctions) that are in AppDATA.

What other options are there that I've missed?

BTW, the logic behind this is that I can get away with weekly image backups if I back up changeable stuff daily. 2 desktops have local external drives I can back up to, but 2 laptops do not so I back them up to a NAS. And I back up that NAS to another NAS in another location with no direct access (at least no SMB access) from Windows. That isolated NAS also gets weekly FTP backups of the backup files on the desktop external hard drives. That remote NAS has backups 1-2 weeks old, but I really want to daily backups of AppData and Documents.

I don't think it matters, but I'm running Win 10 1909.

:)

 

Renaming user profile

Hello Chux, *Smile

The tutorial below can help show you how to safely rename your user profile folder.

*Warning It is critical that you do step 1 and 2 exactly to prevent issues.

*Arrow Change Name of User Profile Folder in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

 

User.000 issue after updating to 1909

I'm one of the many people suffering from issues with user profiles after applying Update 1909 to Windows 10. I've read all the threads I can find on the topic here and have followed the suggestions, all to no avail. Any other thoughts are appreciated.

After applying Update 1909, the ProfileImagePath was changed to c:\users\User.000
One file that was always in use and couldn't be removed was left in c:\users\User (can't recall or find the exact file now), so I could never rename or remove the c:\user\User directory.

I followed the multiple suggestions from Brink and others:

• Rebooted at least 6 times
• Enabled hidden Administrator
• Booted into Safe Mode
• Changed ProfileImagePath
• Tried to rename c:\users\User but couldn't because a file was still in use
• Copied all data from c:\users\User.000 into c:\users\User
• Rebooted and had temporary profile
• Followed steps in Brink tutorial to change ImageProfilePath; rebooted with no change
• Restored using Restore Point from before Update 1909 - returned to single profile state (User.000)
• Removed each update that was installed individually and rebooted after each update removal - profile state never changed
• After all updates were removed, repeated the steps above with hidden Administrator, changing profile, etc. - same issue with file in use in c:\users\User
• Followed all steps above with hidden Administrator but without copying files from User.000 to User - same results

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

User profile cannot be loaded.

Hi Annie,

Thank you for posting the query on Microsoft Community.

I understand the inconvenience caused to you with the user accounts on Windows 10.

Method 1: I suggest you enter into safe mode and enable built-in administrator and check with the status of User profile service.

Step 1: Start computer in safe
mode.

• 
  Type Settings in the search box on the desktop, select
  Settings.
  
• 
  Here select Change pc settings and then
  General.
  
• 
  Scroll down to Advanced startup, click
  Restart now.
  
• 
  Click on Troubleshoot, Advanced options, and Startup Settings.
  
• 
  Click Restart, select Safe mode and then press
  Enter.
  

Step 2: Enable Built-in administrator.

• • 
    Press Windows + X key together on your desktop screen.
    
  • 
    Click on Command Prompt (admin) to open
    Command Prompt.
    
  • 
    Type the following command and hit Enter:
    

• 
  net user administrator /active: yes
  (Check for the spaces)
  

d. Now log off from the current user and try to login to the administrator account that is enabled.

Note: Please follow the same steps and type net user administrator /active: no to disable admin account after the troubleshooting is done.

Method 2: Try to create a new user account (Microsoft account) and check if you are able to access the content from your computer

Create a user account

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-user-account#create-user-account=windows-8

Note: Create a Microsoft account

Method 3: Check the status of User profile services.

Steps:

• Press Windows + R to open Run command, type
  Services.msc and press Enter.
• Search for User Profile Service, right click on it and
  start the service.
• Also, set the Startup type to
  Automatic.
• Now check if you are able to log-in.

Please get back to us with updated status, we will be happy to assist you.