suggestion on full backup to restore windows 8.1

[ezkim0x]

Hello.

I have received the windows 10 upgrade where I can start the download process and then install. I've read a couple reviews online where people are experiencing issues, and others are just fine. I realize the smart thing to do is wait a couple months until most issues have been resolved. However, I am impatient and really want to checkout the new windows 10!

I am looking for suggestions on the smoothest way to do a full backup of my machine, so that if windows 10 doesn't work out.. I can do a full restore and return to windows 8.1 as it exists right now.

My computer is a thinkpad x1 carbon running windows 8.1 pro. I have a 5tb external hdd with about 2tb of space free that I can put the backup on. I am currently using 185gb of data on my laptop, so I have enough space to use the external hdd.

any suggestions on the best way to accomplish this would be much appreciated.

 

[boomerang]

Create an image of your 8.1 install to your external drive using Macrium Reflect. It's free for non-commercial use.

 

[ezkim0x]

thank you.

http://kb.macrium.com/KnowledgebaseArticle50079.aspx#RestoreSystem

so I just install Macrium Reflect on windows 10, and follow that guide to restore windows 8.1 if I want to go back? seems pretty easy and straight forward.

 

[boomerang]

thank you.

http://kb.macrium.com/KnowledgebaseArticle50079.aspx#RestoreSystem

so I just install Macrium Reflect on windows 10, and follow that guide to restore windows 8.1 if I want to go back? seems pretty easy and straight forward.

No. Install it on 8.1, make an image of your 8.1 install and then proceed to upgrade to 10.

MR is going to create an image file of 8.1 and everything installed within it. It will be one single file. That file can be used to restore your computer should you decide you don't want 10.

A few things to know: You will need to create the boot DVD so that you can in fact restore. You will get prompted to do this. To restore, you boot off that DVD, instruct it to restore from the image you created and show it where to find that image which will be on your external drive.

Secondly, you can roll back to 8.1 from 10 if you don't like it. You technically don't need to create that image. You will have 30 days to make that decision. After that, the option will no longer be available.

The unknown in all this is if you can in fact restore from the image file you created. With a spare HD you can test this. If you don't have one, are not comfortable opening up your computer, etc., you will have to rely on faith. This is something to be aware of.

Edit: I just read your link. You would follow the tutorial under: "Restoring a system image". I am not that well versed in all the capabilities of the software having used it twice on two machines that I upgraded to 10 but under a cursory review, it appears you can restore basically as you stated. But you do need to have the image file created beforehand. I would still create the boot DVD as a fail-safe.

Sorry for my confusion. I had in the past used software called Acronis which during that time frame did not have all the functionality that it appears Macrium Reflect has.

 

[corkyg]

I just finished doing that on two systems, one a laptop. What I do is to clone the drive to be upgraded. I use Acronis TI 2015's bootable Rescue Media to create a duplicate drive. I could then switch between either drive via my Mobile Rack. The cloned drive booted right up and was identical to the 8.1 that was about to be upgraded.

The upgrade went well, and Win 10 was there with all my apps ready to go. It is good to play with and learn, but I put 8.1 and/or 7 back in for regular work.

My rule of cloning is to never do it within the OS - always use a separate boot disk containing the cloneware. You should be able to do the same thing with MR.