how to backup win10 update files before backup

Discussion in 'backup, imaging & disk mgmt' started by garry35, Dec 3, 2015.

  1. garry35

    garry35 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2009
    Posts:
    479
    is there a way to copy windows 10 update files before making a backup and saving some space, to copy the update files back to their original location to save re downloading. ie
    ..
    copy windows 10 update files somehere for safekeeping. delete the update files to reduce backup size.

    copy update files back as needed.

    the reason for the over complicated process is to get a free win10 update before the free update period expires. and use a different version of windows until win10 has matured and most of the bugs ironed out
     
  2. Robin A.

    Robin A. Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2006
    Posts:
    2,557
    You can use the Media Creation Tool to download an ISO file and save it. Or you can create an image of the Windows 10 installation, save it and go back to your previous installation.
     
  3. garry35

    garry35 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2009
    Posts:
    479
    thanks for the reply, but i should have made clear that this is the first intitial upgrade from 7>10 and has to be done from in windows in order to convert the key. the media creation tool suggested works after the first upgrade after the key has been converted, unless there is a different way
     
  4. Robin A.

    Robin A. Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2006
    Posts:
    2,557
    You can use Media Creation Tool to do the iniciial upgrade from Win 7 to 10, there are no key problems.You will be upgraded to the 1511 version, build 10586.x.

    What I have understood so far: When you upgrade, your "device" (computer) will be registered in MS servers as a "Win 10 device", and you will be able to re-install Win 10 in it at a future time without any key problem.
     
  5. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,944
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    Garry, I have already done what Robin suggests above and it all works as expected.

    I did an upgrade to get the ACTIVATION switched, then did a Clean Install using the Media Creation Tool. The system came back up as a fully activated W10 system.

    There is another convoluted way to do this without the initial upgrade requirement but I don't have the full details as of yet.
     
  6. beethoven

    beethoven Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2004
    Posts:
    1,388
    Froggie,
    since you are running Macrium with your GFS set-up I suppose you don't worry about the automatic updates too much. You can always go back to your last incremental. How would someone deal with the update uncertainty in Win 10 if you did not have constant fresh images? Is Win 10 still giving you some advance warning about a pending update, so that you can run a manual image or do you have to follow actively the bork tuesday alerts? I am still using Win 7 holding off on the update even though I am using your GFS schedule too.
     
  7. roger_m

    roger_m Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2009
    Posts:
    8,627
    With build 1511 of Windows 10, there is no need to upgrade from Windows 7 to 10. You can do a clean install using your Windows 7 product key.
     
  8. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,944
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    B, I run W10 Pro so I am able to defer those updates if necessary. It lets me know when stuff is pending.

    I'm not sure how you run your imaging protection or with what application but I'm sure you can generate at least a daily DIFF or INC, eliminating the previous if space does not allow for many and at least this would give you at least a daily window into the effects of any upgrade.

    You seem to be using Reflect (i think)... what's your current schedule like?
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2015
  9. beethoven

    beethoven Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2004
    Posts:
    1,388
    Froggie, on my main rig I am nowadays using Macrium with the GFS setup, so that system should be ok with a daily incremental to roll back to if necessary. I also have some additional images (Tarantula mode on a different external drive) that I usually update before making a windows update. Are you happy with Win 10 and found any big advantages?
     
  10. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,944
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    No big advantages for me (I run a fairy simple system, though). It's more W7-like than W8 was but I have yet to see any real advantage when it comes to real work. Sure, it has Cortana and some other "gadgets" and the new EDGE browser seems better than IE has been for eons (I'm primarily a CHROME user) but other than that... not much.

    During the November 1511 update recently, it resized the Windows partition if it couldn't find enough unallocated space to create a new Recovery Partition. This played havoc with Rollback RX users as well as just about anyone using an imager that runs a chain from their FULL reference. This type of stuff is a pure PITA when it comes to Windows. This also happened with the W8.1 Update 1 when issued.

    It causes some grief in the area of constantly trying to compress stuff in the background for better RAM utilization (to the tune of causing some systems constant use of their CPU trying to do that stuff), and this on Systems that didn't even require a Compressed Install (which it will do if it thinks you don't have enough extra space to do an uncompressed install). I also didn't like the fact that it did a Compressed Install on a configuration that really didn't need it at all... I had to uncompress the install.

    Following a 1511 update on a Samsung tablet, it appears to have bricked the tablet in some way... it no longer BOOTs properly and the very limited UEFI-based BiOS now no longer works like it should (it sees attached BOOTing devices <CD/DVD> but refuses to BOOT from them regardless of the nature of the BOOTable media <UEFI or Legacy>... this used to work flawlessly)

    Personally I think it's still a slight work in progress and if you haven't upgraded yet, wait it out for a bit...
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2015
  11. Peter2150

    Peter2150 Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2003
    Posts:
    20,590
    I also see no reason to update. In fact several blogs are telling small business NOT to update. I have an image that has the latest 1511 build and I see no advantage to it, but the auto updating is a huge disadvantage. W7 is doing fine for me.
     
  12. beethoven

    beethoven Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2004
    Posts:
    1,388
    thanks guys - will postpone any decision then. Hopefully they will iron out these issues.
     
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.