If you don't want to go down the route of full encryption, you could also consider a folder locking/hiding utility to which the technician wouldn't have the password. As a tech wouldn't need access to your pictures, music, videos, docs you could just hide/lock those folders while giving the tech access to the system folders.
I haven't tried any of these myself but there are a few free ones.
Best Free Folder Hiding Utility | Gizmo's Freeware
You're welcome, Snookie.
Don't let a bad experience with Acronis keep you off imaging software. Acronis used to be the gold standard, then, at some point, they blew it. Forum threads filled up with horror stories. I myself used Acronis at the time, and got caught up in the mess. I switched to Macrium and haven't looked back since, and now they are the gold standard.
In all fairness, Acronis might have pulled up its act since ; these things come and go. I don't know, because I didn't feel the need to investigate.
Edit : if you've had Acronis installed on that system, be very sure you uninstalled it thoroughly. This beast used to be almost impossible to uninstall. Ideally, a Windows reinstall in-between would be safest.
Clairvaux I have been wondering which imaging software to use since my Acronis nightmare. Hopefully all removed. I seem to remember using their own uninstall then running CCleaner, but it was a while ago now so could be wrong. It was such a pig it rather did put me off rushing to anything else too quickly. I need something that is idiot proof and simple to run
Macrium's user interface and logic can be off-putting at first. I've ranted quite a bit against it on Macrium forum, but it seems I'm the only one to object to it. It's mainly a matter of getting used to.
Two hints to help you get into it :
- Saving a backup profile and saving a schedule for it are two separate operations.
- It's often easier to track your Macrium backup files through Windows Explorer than through Macrium Reflect itself.
That's it. Also, their online help is good, and they have a responsive forum attended both by Macrium staffers and advanced enterprise users.
Now if you want to have some innocent fun, install Macrium and click on the File menu. I have version 5 (legacy), but I don't think they have changed it in version 6 (current). Not telling you what it is, you'll have to check it for yourself...
Have just been looking at a YouTube video of somebody using Macrium, then took a look at their Forum. Its all rather blown my mind as I am a basic nuts and bolts sort of person rather than really into understanding the intricacies of Hard Disks and partitions.
Once I've sorted a current Windows Update problem I'll have a go with Macrium. Thanks again for your advice :)
I do as well, which is one reason I prefer AOMEI.Macrium's user interface and logic can be off-putting at first. I've ranted quite a bit against it on Macrium forum, but it seems I'm the only one to object to it.
You should definitely try TrueCrypt 7.1a. It's quite easy to encrypt your files with it. Nobody would be able to access your sensitive information but you.
Have had a quick look at AOMEI and am now leaning towards that, as it would appear to do incremental backups in the free version and if it is nice and straightforward to use will be a great relief.
Thanks for mentioning it Paul1149 :)
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