Windows 10: Less Updates Please

You have my deepest sympathy. Because you certainly didn't run Ghost 11.5 the way I run it.
I can do a backup, Check and Restore in less than an hour.
There is nothing I need to do on my PC that's so important and I can't take the time to do my HD backup, at least once a week.

Oh and I run a series of batch files from my Ghost DOS boot disk to remove all the garbage off of my hard drive before Ghost ever runs. That takes 5 to 6 Gigabytes of junk out of my Backup Files. I've never met anyone who runs Ghost the way I do. But to each his own.

Happy Holidays Mates!
TM *Cool

 

I use the paid version of EaseUS Todo Backup (Workstation 5.8) which will also restore to dissimilar hardware. You can mount the images and copy files/folders from it as well, which the built-in Windows one wouldn't.

You can run it from within Windows, or it gives you the option of booting from a basic Linux-based recovery CD, or a WinPE version.


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I use Acronis on my 7 machine and my 8.1 Notebook plus I use the Windows Image program on both. I do of course back up to external drives.

 

Decided to buy a new HDD before I do all this.

 

I kind of want more updates. Like we have Windows Update, and then we have Microsoft Update which throws updates for things like Office and Silverlight in there. Sometimes I'll see like a new driver for my wireless card as part of Windows Update as an optional update too for some reason.

I want WinUpdate to do that for all instances of software on my PC. My Adobe Reader is out of date, or JavaScript, update them for me. Instead of checking for an update every time CCleaner or Defraggler opens, let WinUpdate do it for me. My computer's manufactorer released a new bios flash, I'll take it. That would be awesome.

 

Just revisiting this thread and have to add that with my new ISP updates are no longer an issue.

Yay! *Dinesh

 

Good move.

Thanks to all for the discussion, you learn something new everyday. Guess that's why we prefer to hang around these forums.

For someone who lost all data, including 3 desktops and a laptop to a flood not too long ago, these practices take on a new meaning. There's always the cloud for backup but our internet speeds and access (read as cost) are too expensive to make it viable. Not to mention, cloud issues could also be a problem.

My preferred method is to download offline installers, whenever possible, and this to include updates. Sadly this may no longer be an acceptable option given current focus and movement to the cloud etc.

Hope you all are having a great day, wherever you are

regards

 

I used Acronis True Image for about 5 years. I had done a hard drive restore from the backup with one of my earlier Acronis Versions an had no problems. However, Acronis failed me with both the 2012 and 2013 versions trying to do restores. Two strikes and Acronis is history. I now use Macrium Reflect (paid version) and have not had any problems restoring. Creating a WinPE recovery disc is much easier in Macrium. Its an automated utility, where Acronis requires the Plus Version and its mostly a manual process. (I had several problems with the Acronis Linux version recovery program not recognizing hard drives in my systems).

 

I have been using Acronis TI 2010 since I went to Windows 7 (going on 4 years). I never upgraded as I don't need all the extra features. I have restored from images many, many times. I make 2 images at a time, but I have never had to use a 2nd image as every image has always restored. Without fail. I also validate every image.

 

My problems were not "corrupted backups", my problems were with the Acronis program. In one case I had used the backup previously without problems but when I really needed it after a motherboard failure caused a hard drive corruption, I couldn't get Acronis to work (properly) from either a Linux or WinPE Acronis rescue disc to restore the hard drive from a USB connected drive backup with the replacement (ASUS) motherboard. I tried to restore it wih my primary PC via booting with Acronis and it didn't work there either. Ultimately I did get the drive restored with my primary PC that had Acronis installed on that PC, and restored the drive installed in an external drive caddy, connected as a USB drive to that PC. Quite a hassle.

 

build a OS that requires NO Security Updates, ok so I am living in not so a perfect world

 

I came late to this discussion, but my technique for backups is a little cruder than yours.
Since switching from the Atari TOS to Windows '98 (in '98,even had a boot screen that incorporated a stock screen with the word "Microsoft" changed to "Microborg 98" 'Resistance is Futile') I've been using the free XXCLONE for copying boot drives, so IF anything happened, all it would take is a drive swap, with perhaps a 3-7 day difference. Ditto with data drives using Roadkil's Unstoppable Copier [yes one 'L' only] , a simple swap and I'm back in business. Though I've been lucky, never had a boot drive failure, even the old 4gig Fujitsu IDE
from that first Windows machine still works but I've since burned it to a DVD for posterity if I ever need to reference something. Now IDE data drives have been more disappointing, failing regularly, unlike my 'pure' SCSI units and now, with SATA [a variant of SCSI] I seem to have as good fortune as I've had with pure SCSI. If you read my specs, you'll see one new drive replaced four smaller SATAs than now sit on the shelf as backups on their own.

Also have used PortableApps since they came out, with each transfer to a new flashdrive, older units serve as password/setup and Mozilla backups so as not to lose important details.
Heat, including friction, is the no.1 enemy of mechanical drives and now in this build they're all running under 98 degrees F. Mostly in the 80s F. The Seasonic P/S protects against electrical anomalies.
So I feel pretty secure. Just need cash to add to my stock of spare data drives.
Though my way does require taking a side cover off and using an empty port.
*Biggrin

 

Well, yesterday I finally got a new, smaller harddrive. Will be using that for OS and installs while the larger harddrive will be used for storage. Once everything is set up how I want then I will put Macrium to good use.

*Thumbs

 

Just a HDD, and not a SSD. . .*Sad

 

You know how expensive SSD's are here? Insane pricing. I could buy a 4th gen i7 and new mobo for the same price...

Beside, our electricity is less than reliable. Many peaks and troughs in the current. Not convinced that an SSD is the way to go...