More Than 3 Out of 4 Enthusiasts Reject Windows 8

[whs]

System restore points are certainly not the most reliable resource in Windows. But many times they do work and then they can be really handy - e.g. to recover lost files. And even on a small SSD it should be possible to reserve a few GBs for the shadowstorage,

 

[SIW2]

Yes, I have done that. Can restore the entire os. Boot into pe, mount the shadow copies, delete the existing windows directories, copy the previous ones out from the shadow copy.

Oh, I thought it was a preferred method of yours to apply System Restore as an image.

 

[mjf]

Maybe I shouldn't be so blinkered but I think I'll stick with images.

 

[Night Hawk]

Images as well as restore points can become corrupted at times. If you rely heavily on images have a spare drive to restore each one to as a test to insure the integrity. They can certainly save on a lot of time over performing a fresh install of everything but I tend to use two options rather then one for each image. (Win Backup, Acronis)

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Images as well as restore points can become corrupted at times. If you rely heavily on images have a spare drive to restore each one to as a test to insure the integrity. They can certainly save on a lot of time over performing a fresh install of everything but I tend to use two options rather then one for each image. (Win Backup, Acronis)

While it's a good idea to run one test the first time one makes an image to make sure the rescue disk/USB stick is working correctly, when using Macrium Reflect to make an image, one can set reflect to verify the image after the image has been made so it's not necessary to separately test every image. I have my installations set to automatically do so every time I make an image. So far, I've had only one fail the verification.

It's also possible to verify the image again just before restoring the image.

 

[COMPUTIAC]

I use Acronis 2012 for weekly backups and also have it set to verify after each new one.

 

[mjf]

Images as well as restore points can become corrupted at times. If you rely heavily on images have a spare drive to restore each one to as a test to insure the integrity. They can certainly save on a lot of time over performing a fresh install of everything but I tend to use two options rather then one for each image. (Win Backup, Acronis)

I may have missed the point. I maybe lucky but haven't had a serious system image restore problem. I've lost count out how many image restores I've carried out (?~50+ on 3 PCs). But then I use 2 separate ext HDDs and 2 separate imaging programs. I think the only thing that's likely to knock me out is a major motherboard hardware fault.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
just forget the whole discussion of Windows built in imaging -- download something like Free Macrium or use a commercial product like Acronis to image your Windows system -- if you have an SSD the whole process only takes around 15 mins at the most even for a largish Windows installation. Of course ALWAYS separate the OS from your data and don't forget the small system partition (if it exists) in your Backup / restore process. These imaging products also can create bootable programs so you can even do a "Bare Metal" restore.

However this topic really doesn't have much to do with windows 8 -- but ANY OS should always be backed up regularly.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[mjf]

just forget the whole discussion of Windows built in imaging --

I cannot resist - I must disagree. It is fine. Then again I also use Macrium which is more flexible and an excellent product. I know some people like Acronis (inc their free versions for WD & Seagate drives) but I personally don't see the point. Let's not forget Paragon which some people also like.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

I only suggested ignoring the topic of imaging FOR THIS THREAD since it's meant to be about users rejecting W8.

Of course one should regularly back up an OS (and data too) but that belongs in another thread.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[x BlueRobot]

:focus:

 

[Night Hawk]

Images as well as restore points can become corrupted at times. If you rely heavily on images have a spare drive to restore each one to as a test to insure the integrity. They can certainly save on a lot of time over performing a fresh install of everything but I tend to use two options rather then one for each image. (Win Backup, Acronis)

While it's a good idea to run one test the first time one makes an image to make sure the rescue disk/USB stick is working correctly, when using Macrium Reflect to make an image, one can set reflect to verify the image after the image has been made so it's not necessary to separately test every image. I have my installations set to automatically do so every time I make an image. So far, I've had only one fail the verification.

It's also possible to verify the image again just before restoring the image.

With the W7 option you can start the restoration while in Windows. For Acronis you simply boot live from either the software disk or rescue cd made up for the purpose. And if you have a dual boot you can run a restore from the other version.

Here I can start the restoration remotely while on another 7 build using TeamViewer. I don't even have to be sitting at the machine being restored! That can simplify things at times.

 

[mjf]

Hi there

I only suggested ignoring the topic of imaging FOR THIS THREAD since it's meant to be about users rejecting W8.

Of course one should regularly back up an OS (and data too) but that belongs in another thread.

Cheers
jimbo

Quite correct

 

[Night Hawk]

Hi there

I only suggested ignoring the topic of imaging FOR THIS THREAD since it's meant to be about users rejecting W8.

Of course one should regularly back up an OS (and data too) but that belongs in another thread.

Cheers
jimbo

Quite correct

Obviously! Just don't forget 8 includes the same option started with Vista as far as being able to create images with the Backup&Restore option in the Control Panel. The one thing I found displeasing about 8's options however was the PC Refresh where you no longer can perform an upgrade to repair install you still have for both Vista and 7 without seeing a total wipe.

The PC Refresh does a fresh clean install while still seeing the Windows.old folder for user files. The WET still has a place however for files and settings to be preserved once a new install goes on for 8 plus programs. The sad part about 8 is you end up losing more then gaining if you replace one of the two previous versions as well as the other not so favorable changes seen.

 

[lehnerus2000]

This discussion shows how important imaging is to users.
Of course MS knows best (giving to middle finger to users once again) and removed it from the W8.1 preview.

Now MS can use their telemetry to "prove" that nobody used that feature anyway.

A few features that were in Windows 8 are not in Windows 8.1 at all. Here’s a partial list:

• The legacy Windows 7 Backup program, which allows you to capture an image backup of your system, is gone. The associated executable file and DLL (Sdclt.exe and Sdcpl.dll, respectively) are gone, as is the Windows Backup service. The opportunity to restore a backup created using that tool is still there, but you can’t create a new image backup of your device running the Windows 8.1 Preview.

ZDNet - Ed Bott
The missing pieces from the Windows 8.1 preview | ZDNet

 

[Night Hawk]

Well MS wants everybody to start buying 3rd party options for just about anything if not everything you once saw included. You may find a new tile some time for a 3rd party imaging ware offer. That would be the apparent direction they are going.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Well MS wants everybody to start buying 3rd party options for just about anything if not everything you once saw included. You may find a new tile some time for a 3rd party imaging ware offer. That would be the apparent direction they are going.

Seems believable to me.

 

[SIW2]

The command line wbadmin.exe version is still there. Not much use to most people.

 

[Dallas 7]

This discussion shows how important imaging is to users.
Of course MS knows best (giving to middle finger to users once again) and removed it from the W8.1 preview.
Now MS can use their telemetry to "prove" that nobody used that feature anyway.

A few features that were in Windows 8 are not in Windows 8.1 at all. Here’s a partial list:

• The legacy Windows 7 Backup program, which allows you to capture an image backup of your system, is gone. The associated executable file and DLL (Sdclt.exe and Sdcpl.dll, respectively) are gone, as is the Windows Backup service. The opportunity to restore a backup created using that tool is still there, but you can’t create a new image backup of your device running the Windows 8.1 Preview.

ZDNet - Ed Bott
The missing pieces from the Windows 8.1 preview | ZDNet

The wonders of W8 just keeps getting more and more unbelievable. ****Shaking head****
I've used Windows 7 built in imaging countless times and I've never had a problem with it.
They just can't destroy enough good things fast enough.

 

[Iforgot]

But
Who does backups on a Tablet??????