Backing up the System File

[Belly]

Hi, could someone please advise me:

I know that I should back up my data which I do to an external Seagate HDD. I'm advised to backup the System File and create a Windows recovery usb.

I realise that my data will change from day to day as I create or remove files but does the System File change on a day by day basis? Is it effectively FIXED, ie could I back it up today, use the computer for a couple of years and if I encounter a problem reinstal the System File?

Thanks

 

[bledd]

Changes when you install Windows updates etc..

Install Veeam Agent

https://www.veeam.com/windows-endpoint-server-backup-free.html

It's free, you just need to sign up with an email address to get access. Awesome software! I set mine to do a daily backup. You can set it so that it will automatically create a backup when you connect your Seagate. It will take a full image of your hard drive. The each backup after that would be a smaller backup file with just the changes.

If you're using say 250GB on the hard drive, I'd want at least 250GB free on the Seagate. (will probably use about half the size, unless you have a load of large un-compressible files, like videos etc.)

 

[stockhausen]

From time to time over the years I have been contracted to build high-end systems for people. Whenever I have done this I have always specified a copy of Acronis True Image.

I configure the systems with a "System" partition and one (or occasionally more) "Data" partition(s). Using Acronis I make an image copy of the System partition before delivery and demonstrate how Acronis works. If the system gets corrupted the system partition can always be restored.

This protocol has always served me well - I tend not to be responsible for the Data partition or for any changes made to the system partition (e.g. additional applications) - training usually works here

 

[Belly]

Thanks to both of you. Stockhausen Kudos for you. I bought my computer from a reputable company with Windows 10 installed and no information as how to backup or restore!

In Disk Management the 250 mb M.2 SSD appears to have 4 partitions: From Left to Right.

Recovery - 450 MB NTFS (Healthy OEM Partition) (96% free)
"No Name" - 99 MB Healthy EFI System Partition (100% Free)
"C" - 237.41 GB NTFS (85% Free)
"No Name" - 525 MB (Healthy OEM Partition) (16% Free)

To me it would appear that the 1st and 4th partitions are used by the system, the 2nd is free and my installed windows files, Windows 10 and other software are installed on 'C' the third partition.

Only the 'C' drive is listed in my PC the other partitions are NOT shown.

Would a system backup backup the 4 partitions, or just the 1st and 4th?

I had Macrium installed but found it much too complicated and never knew where I was.

Both Paragon and Todo backup look simpliner than macrium and offer incremental backup something which macrium doesn't.