Recover using system image - windows update history lost

[Paul S]

I'm new to windows 7 and this forum.

After buying a new Compaq, I installed all the Windows updates, and the Updates window showed when I last checked for updates and the full update history.

Before installing new software, I made a system image. When the new software didn't suit, I recovered using that image. The updates history has gone! According to the updates screen, I have never checked for updates and have never installed any updates. But when I check for updates, I am told that my Windows is up to date.

I don't understand why this should be if my pc is now in exactly the same state as it was when I made the image. And can I trust the message that there are no updates for my Windows?

Many thanks for any help anyone might be able to offer.
Paul

 

[mjf]

all updates prior to the making of the image will be present.
click on installed updates.

Updates between when the image was made and now should be added when you check for new updates.

 

[Paul S]

Indeed, you are right - they do appear if I make that click. Very many thanks.

But the main message still says that I have never checked for updates and have never installed any updates. Clearly it is that message that is wrong, but I don't understand why there should be any change after an image recovery. Do you know why?

 

[mjf]

A number of parameters just get reset after a reimage. After the reimage you have not (never) updated which is true. Things look fine.

 

[Paul S]

OK. It seems rather odd that it should work this way, but that does make sense.

You have been very kind and very helpful. Thank you again, and may your own use of Windows be trouble-free!

 

[Paul S]

mjf - When I ran my file backup last night, it started a full backup rather than an incremental one, so obviously there are several things about a recovered machine which are different to the imaged machine. Do you happen to know if using a third party backup program would avoid this 'resetting' problem, or is it a feature of Windows rather than the backup?

I appreciate your help. Thank you.

 

[mjf]

My experience is that after a windows reimage it will do a full file/folder backup (ie. create an additional full backup set).
I've never ran a file/folder backup after say a Macrium Reflect restore so I can't really answer your question.
MS/Windows could argue that you do indeed want a fresh backup set after a reimage so that it and subsequent incrementals are aligned.

From time to time Windows will decide to make an additional full backup set.

Because a full file/folder backup is relatively slow(!), I don't let them get too big before I start archiving data.

 

[Paul S]

Makes sense yet again, although I preferred having control over full and incremental backups when I was running Symantec BackupExecutive on XP (it isn't compatible with W7, so I ahve had to abandon it).

Many thanks again.