Macrium Reflect Free – Retired

The restore starts around 3:30 of the video. The video shows PE running.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT_g9BcOc5A

Askwoody
Backup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjpBdzC8fug
Restore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Z-1mJPU_A

Before Windows Update (Patch Tuesday), backup image of partitions required to backup and restore Windows. It is easier to backup just Windows using Macrium Reflect.

To restore, Macrium Reflect needs to be installed on the PC’s Boot Menu or used with System Recovery Disk with Macrium Reflect on it.

Macrium Reflect Free can be downloaded from oldergeeks.com, however the free version has been retired as of January 2024. The cautionary note is that it seems to work pass its retirement date for Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Links to other posts here:
https://wordpress.com/post/kpon.wordpress.com/1312
https://wordpress.com/post/kpon.wordpress.com/1562
restore: https://wordpress.com/post/kpon.wordpress.com/1857

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Addendum: Something good about Macrium Reflect Free, when running the Rescue Disk Creation it will show Win RE (recovery Environment) to be able able to run the Win PE (Pre-installation Environment).

December 2022 Windows 10 22H2 and 21H2, Cumulative Update for Windows 10

Some PC’s are having trouble. Check your directories for the file hidparse.sys in
C:\Windows\System32 and C:\Windows\System32\drivers
before applying the Windows Update to anticipate potential problems.

This post applies to 22H2
https://www.askwoody.com/newsletter/ms-defcon-3-windows-10-22h2-may-leave-you-blue/
This post is about 21H2
https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/confused-with-susan-bradleys-12-27-2022-update-re-hidparse-sys-file/

Block A Patch

https://blockapatch.com/

It talks about WU ShowHide, Windows Update MiniTool (WUMT) and WU Mgr. There is also a YouTube video too.

source: https://www.askwoody.com/newsletter/ms-defcon-3-issues-with-bootloader-patches/

Installing Windows 7 ESU Updates

This is working for the July 2020 Windows 7 Updates.

Use W7ESUI.cmd from W7ESUI_0.2.zip to install the Monthly Cumulative Update.
Copy the cmd file and bin folder from dotNetFx4_ESU_Installer_r.zip to install the .Net Framework Updates. Download all the .Net Updates that apply for the month. The ones that do not apply, will not install and say they are not applicable to the installed version of Windows.

List of the .Net Updates can be found via here:
https://devblogs.microsoft.com/dotnet/
Example: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/dotnet/net-framework-august-2020-security-and-quality-rollup-updates/

 

General Instructions:

Download the Microsoft update into an unique folder. Copy the appropriate cmd into the unique folder. Run as Administrator to execute the cmd command.

Unsure how long this method will allow for the installation of ESU Updates.

 

sources: https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/standalone-installer-script-for-windows-7-esu-regardless-the-license/#post-2283523

Standalone installer script for Windows 7 ESU, regardless the license

Stay on Specific Versions of Windows 10 (Pro, Education and Enterprise)

Commands
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /f /v TargetReleaseVersion /t REG_DWORD /d 1
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /f /v TargetReleaseVersionInfo /t REG_SZ /d 1809

Group Policy Editor
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Windows Update for Business > target Feature Updates version > 1809

Registry Editor:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
“TargetReleaseVersion”=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
“TargetReleaseVersion”=dword:00000001
“TargetReleaseVersionInfo”=”2004”

sources:
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3564158/microsoft-nixes-update-deferral-settings-but-gives-us-a-targetreleaseversioninfo.html
https://ebraiter.wordpress.com/2020/06/24/

Windows 10 Temporary Profile bug

solution: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/48012-fix-youve-been-signed-temporary-profile-windows-10-a.html

source: https://www.computerworld.com/article/3540429/many-reported-problems-with-this-months-win10-cumulative-update-but-few-patterns.html

Windows 7 ESU Patch, May 2020 .Net Updates

If you did not buy the Windows 7 ESU updates, and are using the W7ESUI method of patching, here are some links for getting the .Net Windows Update. There are two related methods; read the last two links before trying the second method.

Method 1)

Many reports of errors when trying to install the latest .NET patch on Win7 systems with Extended Security Updates enabled

Method 2)

Standalone installer script for Windows 7 ESU, regardless the license

Standalone installer script for Windows 7 ESU, regardless the license

Telemetry in Win7/8.1

I found this grouping of Microsoft Windows Updates to skip (/ avoid) or uninstall . It only applies to Windows 7 (EoL) and Windows 8.1. On the AskWoody Forum it is labelled  AKB2952664.

2952664: Telemetry in Win7/8.1 – KB2952664, KB2977759, KB2976978, & KB3150513

Installing Windows 7 Patches After January 2020

It is reported to be working for March 2020 Patches.

Yes, you can install the latest Win7 security patches

Pausing Windows 10 1903 Updates

Something I have yet to try.

source: https://www.askwoody.com/2020/is-there-a-way-to-cheat-pause-update/