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Thread: [Windows 7, 8.x] System Restore vs. System Refresh

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    Default [Windows 7, 8.x] System Restore vs. System Refresh

    Most people, though using Windows OS, use term System Recovery, if they want to bring back their (corrupted) Windows installation into a stage that was previously working. Microsoft don't use the term System Recovery, they correctly distinguish between System Restore and System Refresh. I'll explain next the difference and tell you what you have to do to either perform a System Restore or a System Refresh.


    1. System Restore

    System Restore helps you restore your computer's system files to an earlier point in time. It's a way to undo system changes to your computer without affecting your personal files, such as e-mail, documents, or photos.

    System Restore can be prepared as creating and saving System restore points on your computer or as creating System image backups stored on hard disks. I recommend creating a System image backup and store it on an external hard disk or at least on another partition than where your Windows OS is located. Such a System backup image simply is a current snapshot of specific portions of the Windows drive [ default C: ]. Even though System image backups contain both your system files and personal data, your data files will not be affected by System Restore.

    How to create a System image backup in Windows 7 or 8.x - only with the means Windows OS provides - in detail is described .

    2. System Refresh

    In my eyes this term is errleading. System Refresh in fact means reinstalling Windows OS, i.e. copying an unchanged / never updated (hence: fresh) Windows system from the recovery files on your computer’s drive, or from a Windows installation disc or USB drive. It’s up to the PC manufacturer to provide a recovery partition or recovery discs. Most manufacturers don’t include Windows installation discs with their computers. On many PCs, you’ll have to press a key during the boot process to access the recovery tool provided by OEM. This key also may be displayed on your PC's screen.

    It's NOT recommended to utilize recovery tool provided by OEM, this because you’ll end up with the manufacturer’s like-new Windows system on your drive. All the original drivers will be installed, which is good, but all that nasty bloatware will also come back—that’s bad. You’ll have to remove unwanted junk software after you reinstall.

    How to perform a System Refresh in Windows 7 or 8.x in detail is described .

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    LSemmens
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    In either case, if you haven't already done so, ALWAYS, I'll repeat ALWAYS, I'll say it again, ALWAYS, ensure that you have a current backup of any and every item you cannot afford lose before trying any form of system recovery!

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    Quote Originally Posted by lsemmens View Post
    In either case, if you haven't already done so, ALWAYS, I'll repeat ALWAYS, I'll say it again, ALWAYS, ensure that you have a current backup of any and every item you cannot afford lose before trying any form of system recovery!
    This advice of course in general is worthwile, but does NOT make much sense if you decide to play back a System image already backed up. See above System Restore. A System image backup by nature is nothing other than a System Restore point you manually initiated and Windows saves to a default location, but saved to a location of your choice.

    What's In a Restore Point / System Image Backup ?

    All necessary information to return the computer to the current state is included in a restore point. In most versions of Windows, this includes all important system files, the Windows Registry, program executables and supporting files, and much more.


    It's right, the advice given should be payed attention to, if it comes to a System Refresh. To do a backup, I recommend to use German freeware (current version is 5.6.1.0, 13-10-2014), which exists in both 32-bit and 64-bit version and is compatible with Windows 8. It's my favorite backup utility.

    "Personal Backup" allows you to copy files and directories either manually or automatically at certain times in any destination folder. This can be on a local fixed or removable disk as well as on a network server. Subdirectories are thereby automatically included, but can be excluded individually on request. Who wants to secure all files at random, for there are different filter, to transfer, for example, only certain file names or file types.

    EDIT: Concerning Backing-up Personal Folders

    A simple method to avoid the need of running any additional backup process if it comes to backing up your Personal folders as

    Contacts
    Desktop
    (My) Documents
    Downloads
    Favorites
    Links
    (My) Music
    (My) Pictures
    Saved Games
    Searches
    (My) Videos

    is to move (i.e. redirect) them to another drive or partition. How-To-Do so is explained in detail . Works both in Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1.2 Core. Tested!
    Last edited by jwoegerbauer; 15-10-14 at 01:51 AM.

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    Everything you list above is under "USER" in windows7 (don't know about windows 8/8.1, don't care to know about windows8/8.1)

    Once a month (aprox.)I drag and drop that whole user file to my memstick!

    Backup done

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    Concerning System Refresh for Windows 8.1 Pro computers: a Windows 8.1 Pro official untouched ISO, either 32-bit or 64-bit version, can be downloaded from .


    EDIT:


    I ran the downloaded 8.1 Pro 64-bit version in VMWare Player. It's OK.

    Last edited by jwoegerbauer; 16-10-14 at 04:57 PM.

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