PLEASE Advise on Purchase of EXT HD?

[SiHawk]

I presently run W7 w 2 HDs, my "C" Drive is an SSD; 167GB, and it has my OS on it; my "F" Drive is 465GB [NOT SSD] and has most of my Programs on it.
I want to Upgrade to the FREE W10 but have read/heard some scary stories when unexpected things happen. Thus my decision to purchase
an External HD for mainly keeping an updated copy of my "C" Drive in case I have to Recover everything. Will make a Recovery Disc [or whatever it's called ] of course.
So I have been studying like crazy for BEST and of course cheapest 2 TB, USB 3.0 offering [now realizing a 1TB one might do me].
My main concern is knowing before I buy - that the one I do buy will be
what I need, SIMPLY and with ease! I don't think I need to have both HDs' on it do you? I know, of course, I want the "engine" Drive - "C" on there in case something goes wrong and I then can use the Recover Disc and have it restore "C" and go from there.
Why I'm here asking for advice fm those more in the know,,,,I was reading description of the "WD My Passport Ultra" and when it was describing it's storing data feature, the way they worded it, confused me, it wasn't clear that you could use it to "restore" your system. Kind of sounded like for pulling up certain things NOT everything.
I just need one that I know will do what I might need, restore my system, with simple and understandable software built in.

THANKS michael😕

 

[LTC8K6]

You can just use the Win7 backup software and don't worry about the software that comes with the External HDD.

I have a few WD passport Ultra 2gb drives and I have no complaints.

Win10 has the Win7 backup and restore program built in.

So backups made with Win7 can be used in Win10.

If you are familiar with the Win7 backup and system image, then you can just use it with the external HDD. Just tell Win7 to use the external HDD for the backup and image.

 

[larryccf]

i'd suggest cloning (not backing up) your OS drive so you've got a complete image ready to boot from. I use EaseUS ToDo Backup (been using the freeware version since 2008) - the interface is beautifully simple to follow or comprehend. On 2nd page, where you select the target drive that you're cloning to, be sure to select "optimize for SSD" and select "sector by sector".

If you're running a mobo with a UEFI Bios, when or if you have to clone it back, you'll still need to use your windows 7 dvd to "repair the installation" - something about the UEFI Bios makes it corrupt or loose some of the boot files. But EaseUS has save my backside a number of times -

fwiw

 

[tweakboy]

Dont get a maxtor or seagate. aim for WD and Sammy. gl

 

[SiHawk]

THANKS for your GREAT Help - 'I needed dat!"
Questions:
1] Is the W7 Built In Backup Program an easy, all I would need Program to do what you know I want/need to do. Clone/Backup etc. OR would the WD Software [included on their HDs] be Better?

2] Sounds like CLONE is what I Need to do....not just backup [Thanks]. IF W10 Upgrade bricks this PC....I want this INSURANCE in order to get back to where I started. My mobo does have a UEFI Bios.

3] In my W7 Control Panel: Two Choices - a] "Create a System Image" and b] "Create a System Repair Disc"............after I choose which external HD to buy, get it connected up...........do I do both a] and b] above......and one or both would be used to get at my Cloned OS "C" Drive to Restore????

DUMMY! Using your good advice about the FREE Program you have been using.....I went to their site and decided to download it.......then my STUPIDITY struck again, I told it to install on my "F" Drive...1/2 way thru, thank God, I realized this Program is supposed to be installed on the External HD that you are going to clone/backup to. Stopped it......will wait till I get the HD!

Any personal recommendations concerning which EXT HD to purchase?

TKS michael