Didn't take long from the release dat of 8 did it.

Doc, you are up to date with about everything so here is a question. I keep all my folders backed up on a daily basis depending what I have added or changed. Example work on a WB and back it up that day. What I don't do is clone as many do. so when i reformat I load from the Windows disc. This means I lost all my updates and if I did it now would take a long time even on high speed to download and install all the windows updates. Years ago you use to be able to get a disc with at least a lot of the updates on it.

Is such a thing still available? I think I may reformat soon and hate the thought of it.

davebax, I also have the issue, but have found a program called WSUS Offline Update that let me download all the curently available updates and put them in a folder and even use them from a usb stick (btw all windows take approx 10gb of space)

hope this helps

harpo

Dave, I haven't heard of it. harpo99999's site is a Godsend.

Sometimes I wonder if incremental backups are worth it, or if daily disk images - or weekly ones would be better.

I'd love to hear Yrag's thoughts on the subject as well as some other folks'.

Maybe that's the subject of the next post.

I do what Yrag told me to do, as is advisable to do what he tells you, he knows his stuff.

Yrag told me to turn off system restore and make a full image backup every morning. Set it up to do it for you first thing on boot. I have mine set to save the most recent 3 full image backups, rotating the oldest out every morning at 7 AM.

Restoring a full image backup restores the updates too, naturally.

Plus, you can easily restore only parts of the image backup....Like, if you need an older version of a graphic you're working on, or if you accidentally delete all your WB skins....

Grabbed it, Harpo99999.  Good thing to have, thanks! 

Nice thread, Doc.

That only works if you have a spare hard drive or other backup means. Some of us, as you know, don't have that.

Additional drives and software for backup purposes are an essential part of a PC. Any PC you buy comes with just the basics, it's up to you to make it fully functional

Fuzzy would be correct. 

I grabbed it up too. Never know.

Thanks Harpo99999.

As far as image backups we all have our thought. Maybe mine isn't correct but really don't like them. Maybe once 20 years ago I had a total failure. Most of the time i choose to reformat. Usually do to performance. Example what I have now and yes I use all the correct programs such as CCleaner, etc. Same as all you use. Doesn't matter how careful one is at least in my opinion over time by adding and deleting this and that the computer slowes down wspeciall the time it takes to boot. If I had an image the only one in my mind that would work would be the one you first took on a new computer or a new reformat. If I had a problem now and was able to save this with a daily image file then it would be as slow as it is now. Reformatting solves that even if it takes longer to load things back.Believe me all my folders are backed up almose everyday.

Thanks for the help.

One of the reasons a new clean format makes everything run so smoothly again is because (in the last few iterations of Windows) the WinSxS folder on your HD (along with pertinent registry entries) keeps growing and growing.

Here is a link to an MS support article with some info:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2592038

So, for those people with a WinSxS folder getting out of hand I would agree that a periodic reformat (refresh) might be the better option.

Thanks for the information. I checked several links and have a better understanding now. My WinSxS folder is 8.56 gig. Have no idea what it is after a clean install. Things are still running good here so I will just put up with the longer boot time. Thanks again.

Well my friend that takes money that some of us just don't have. Some people just don't get it.

Use your food stamps

Wow, I ran Windows Updates and when it finished it rebooted me and I could not boot back into my machine.

Took a few hours of troubleshooting to determine that a backup restore was in order. Tried that twice. Took the 2nd time. Damn...now I'm afraid of WU.