Thank you all for reading this. I am a medium PC user and have never really developed a strong Backup Protocol including: 3rd party software choices, including Cloud Storage of all desktop, laptop and other devices systems. I need reference materials: on line documents, instructions or links to read and any other help you may provide. I have had 2 serious data crashes and need to create a "good practice" BU system. thanks. ed
Look at this tutorial Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
I have been using the windows backup to take a backup/image for years, both with Win7 and now with W10. I have it set to automatically take a backup/image every week on Sunday evening at 7:00. There have been a few times where I've had to use the backup/image on both Win7 and W10 OS's.
Regardless of what happens with your computer you can get it back pretty much exactly the way it was when the backup/image was taken. There are too many that either don't know how, or don't bother to take a regular backup/image. It's an easy thing to do, totally automatic after it's set up, and a very quick and painless fix when needed.
All times I've needed to use it, it went fine with no problems, took roughly 20 minutes and I was back to the exact computer I had before I did it.
You sound like you're doing some research to find what might work best for what you need, in my case it is the resident backup/image program within windows. Others have found 3rd party programs that best meet their needs.
There are a few options to consider.
For everyday user data you could use SyncToy or ROBOCOPY:
SyncToy - Backup User Data
ROBOCOPY - Create Backup Script
For imaging an entire system, you could use the Windows Imaging as posted above, or use Macrium Reflect:
Imaging with free Macrium
If you use both an image and backup of user data, then you will have everything covered.
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