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Prepping For Major Windows Updates

October 10, 2022, 15:09(EDT) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

It’s been a while since I’ve written about this and with Win10 22H2 coming soon I thought I would post this for new readers.
In the past I used Service Pack updates as an excuse to clean, tweak, and organize my computers as if it were a new install. Gone are the days of Service Packs as Microsoft has moved to a yearly major feature update (version 20H2, 21H1, etc.).
The end result for me is the same and I employ the same strategy as I did before.
* A note before we start, all my “backups” are disk images using a Macrium Reflect Free bootable USB drive.
See: Using Macrium Reflect Boot Media and Macrium Reflect Boot Disk In Action

1 – Backup before the version update
Since I have multiple computers I use my main rig as a test machine. I just back it up and the install the update. Then I live with it for a day or so before I install it on any other machines.
After that I will restore a backup for my main rig. If it seems to be a seriously major update I will restore from the disk image right after the last version update.

2 – Download New Drivers and Applications
HWiNFO (portable) is a great tool to find out your hardware info. I’m not nor have I ever been into those driver updater tools. Never trusted them.
The best way to update your apps is from that apps option menu though I will admit to using Ninite Updater for some of my apps.

3 – Install the update
If you only have a couple of computers there is no reason to download the entire update, just run Window Update. It is almost always a smaller, quicker process.

4 – Take it for a spin
Read about any new features and just use your computer normally for a few days. Everything running OK? Good, on to the next step. If not you need to figure out why. Google and the Windows news sites are your best bet here.

5 – Clean, Defrag, & Optimize
I go through the Tweaking Windows 10 guide again with emphasis on the Clean, Defrag, & Optimize section.

6 – Backup
Make a disk image and keep on rocking.

Tagged With: How-To's, This Site, Windows 10, Windows 11

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