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2494
January 20th, 2020 10:00
Windows 10 OS Recovery Options
I have an Inspiron 7737 that is about 6 years old. Going like an Energizer Bunny! Great Product indeed!
The only changes I did - upgraded to Windows 10 (from Factory supplied Windows 8 and upgraded to a SSD. However, due to lack of my knowledge, I did not clone the hidden partition(s).
I want to create a recovery media - should something happen to the aging laptop. I backup my files separately in 2 places.
1. Which external media is the best? The 16gb USB drives are quite faulty out there. Is it better to create the OS media on SSD memory card - like a SD card or microSD card?
2. Can I still use Dell Recovery? No hidden partition.
3. Can I use Windows 10 Recovery option? Is it reliable as Dell Recovery?
Thank you!
Always Smiling!
Kflash08
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January 22nd, 2020 15:00
Once installed and activated, you can preform a clean install of Windows 10 at anytime without first re-installing the original version of Windows that was originally part of your computer. You can download the Windows 10 Media Creator Tool to create a flash drive or CD with the Windows 10 installation files on it. You won't get any programs, drivers, or other stuff that were originally part of your computer's factory image, but most of them can be downloaded from Dell's website.
Using the reset Windows 10 option is basically the same as what I mentioned above, but Windows will be reinstalled from local setup files on your hard drive/SSD instead of from a flash drive or CD. You can also use the "fresh start" option found in Windows Security (under device performance & health). This differs a bit from the reset as this will save your personal files and some Windows settings and transfer them over to the clean install. Desktop programs that are not part of the Windows installation will need to be reinstalled.
Make sure you back up your personal files before you attempt any recovery option. You said that they are backed up in two places. That's good. Just as long as they are backed up to removable media.
If that hidden partition is not present on your drive, then chances are that the Dell Recovery will not work.
JOcean
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January 20th, 2020 15:00
If you want to back up the entire drive then best to use a program such as Macrium Reflect Free. And if you have access to a spare HDD or SSD then purchase an enclosure and backup to that media. Macrium Reflect Free is available here.
smiley200
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January 20th, 2020 16:00
Thank you @JOcean .
That is how I upgraded from HDD to SSD. But I am looking for a OS alone recovery - not a whole image. I do daily backups for my files.
Question was hence for best media for bootable to backup Windows 10.
nyc10036
6 Operator
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5.6K Posts
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January 22nd, 2020 16:00
There is no point in doing an OS recovery.
Make an image of the hard drive. End of story. done.
smiley200
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January 23rd, 2020 16:00
Perfect! I need that option of reinstalling Windows 10 OS alone as my son messes up installing some rogue software. Now his Windows is not updating itself. I am hoping that this would fix this.
Also, USB drives are notoriously untrustworthy after a few weeks/months if we are unlucky. So I ended up buying a SanDisk SD card 32gb and Anker USB adapter (microSD and SD). Hoping to create the windows boot up environment into the SD card. If it doesn't work, I will post back again.
I agree with the other options of just taking a clean image - period! But problem is - it is snapshot in time. I will have to restore and then overwrite it with latest backup I have etc. Though, on hindsight, that doesn't sound too bad
@Kflash08 - you da best!