[REQUEST] Backup solution (free?)

[Porthos]

I've used Macrium Reflect's ReDeploy feature for this

Never had to use re-deploy on Win 10. 10 is just that smart.

Still had activation problems to solve.

I have never had issues with Win 10 activation. Home to Home or Pro to Pro is a no brainer and easy.
Home to Pro is easy enough. Stay off line and use the change product key feature and use the generic Pro key (VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T) it will start the in-place upgrade. After the upgrade, I connect and either use the Win 7 Pro key or it picks up the Bios key 99% of the time.

Of course, if the old PC is MBR and you move to one that is UEFI you will have to or at least I change the BIOS to legacy MBR. Some NEW systems might not have that option in BIOS but I have not encountered any yet. (Most are getting 4th gen refurbs from me)

Computer/motherboard aware software will have to be reactivated if moved to a new system.

Non-volume license versions of Office are a good example.

driver issues

Windows uses the generic drivers and of course Windows update can do it but of course I go to Snappy drivers to finish it off.

 

[fincoder]

Great until ransomware hits. Anything connected to a computer is affected

File History works well with external drives and of course it should be disconnected between backups. For residential clients I put a shortcut to File History on the desktop. I tell them to connect the drive then open File History to click Run Now. I always emphasise that they should Safely Remove Hardware in case File History hasn't completed or starts again automatically.

When I'm setting it up I always change frequency setting from hourly to daily, and to only keep old file versions until space needed.