Windows 10 'File History' vs 'Back Up and Restore'

[drtreelove]

Tree doctor not a techie, need advise: 

 

Win 10 Control Panel has "File History" and also "Back Up and Restore (Windows 7)".  Do I need to run both to my external hard drive to get the 'system image' from Backup Restore? Or does File History cover all my back up needs?  

 

Thanks, Don

[Mutt Daeng]

You would be better off using something like Macrium Reflect (Free version) for backup etc. I take a full data backup every day and keep the last 60 images, and take a full OS backup on the 1st of every month and keep the last 12 images. It 's always been reliable for me.

Acronis is another option but I find Macrium better.

[ravip]

File History is an awesome tool included in all versions of Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. It allows for easy automated backups of your data and it works with a number of devices on which data can be  >>> https://www.google.lk/search?q=What+is+the+file+history%3F&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4oeXs86TbAhUyEqYKHShNCOEQzmcIQQ&biw=1366&bih=645

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, drtreelove said:

Tree doctor not a techie, need advise: 

 

Win 10 Control Panel has "File History" and also "Back Up and Restore (Windows 7)".  Do I need to run both to my external hard drive to get the 'system image' from Backup Restore? Or does File History cover all my back up needs?  

 

Thanks, Don

If you want to backup "only" all your data like documents etc. then FileHistory does a good job. You set it up once and then it will backup all your new files whenever the external drive is connected.

Other backups backup the whole disk including Windows, Programs, etc. This makes sense if you want to be able to restore your PC i.e. after your hard disk crashed. This backs up a lot more than FileHistory but the question is if you really need it.

I.e. if you PC crashes and you would ask a technician to reinstall Windows and your programs then you restore your personal data with FileHistory.

[Pib]

The Windows Backup & Restore (Win 7) is slow and has it issues which I won't go into.   File History only backs up the data files you create; it doesn't backup your programs, Windows itself--it's not a system image.

 

Do yourself a favor and switch over to something like Marcrium Reflect Free and at least do periodic "image backups."  Simple to use, makes an image back a LOT faster than the Windows Backup & Restore, plus other good stuff.

 

Yes, Do yourself a favor.   And if switching to Macrium be sure to create the Media Rescue Disc/Media for those cases where you might have boot from a disc/thumbdrive because your computer can't boot from its hard drive for whatever reason like the hard drive died, a Windows update totally messed up your computer, etc.    

[drtreelove]

Thanks all; that's what I needed to know. I will check out Macrium Reflect. 

[Crossy]

Good stuff above.

 

Some pearls of wisdom:-

• Never have all your backups connected to a machine at the same time.
• Choose your backup period to suit the maximum amount of data you are prepared to lose

and remember,

• The only thing worse than no backup is a backup that won't restore, test your backup process.

 

[drtreelove]

I have another issue. I have an external hard drive that won't open.  I get "Location is not available   F:/is not accessible. The parameter is incorrect."  

Its a Seagate 2TB Backup Plus Ultra Slim Metal Rescue Edition. 

It was a back up disk and the PC is fine. I'm doing backups to a different disk now, and don't need the data, except a QuickBooks company file that I didn't realize was going to the external drive and not to the PC.  My QB program files are intact on the PC, but I've lost a company file.  Is there any way to retrieve these files? 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

On ‎5‎/‎27‎/‎2018 at 5:23 PM, drtreelove said:

I have another issue. I have an external hard drive that won't open.  I get "Location is not available   F:/is not accessible. The parameter is incorrect."  

Its a Seagate 2TB Backup Plus Ultra Slim Metal Rescue Edition. 

It was a back up disk and the PC is fine. I'm doing backups to a different disk now, and don't need the data, except a QuickBooks company file that I didn't realize was going to the external drive and not to the PC.  My QB program files are intact on the PC, but I've lost a company file.  Is there any way to retrieve these files? 

 

The hard disk is in a case. Option 1 the hard disk is damaged, option 2 something is damaged in the case.

I suggest get the drive out of the case and connect it to and internal computer connection (if you have a desktop) or put it in another case or something similar.

After 10 minutes work you should have an answer to your question.

[jenny2017]

OP, please try this. Right click on your start menu and select disc management.

 

   Then please see if there's a disc listed that isn't recognized. If you can see your disc, right click and initialize disc, or give it a drive letter.

 

   Another possible problem could be the USB cable. 

 

 https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/disk-management/troubleshooting-disk-management

 

  

[howto]

Please do not ' initialize disc '.

You will loose everything, and there is (at least) 1 file you want.

 

Lets do some easy diags ,,,

download this simple safe app from here

https://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtreeview_e.html

the DL is here

https://www.uwe-sieber.de/files/usbtreeview.zip

 

Extract the .EXE, perhaps to the desktop

*run as administrator

 

You will see the entire USB tree, w/ all hubs and devices.

You should see your USB external hdd.

Note if there is a 'exclamation mark'

If no, the USB port, USB external hdd, cable are OK.

If yes, try a new cable, retest.

 

My bet is on 'file system corruption'.

We can fix that.

Please let us know the results.

 

Cheers and best of luck

howto