Solved Preparing to image my computer, need help

Macrium contacted me to help with the installation and operation of Macrium Reflect.

I cannot take them up on their offer yet, because to image my computer in its present state is ludicrous.
For months (often, while participating on this forum) I’ve thought I could effectively clean up my computer, but I’ve found it impossible.

I can tell you why it happened that my computer is in a state of chaos, but those of you who have read many of my posts already know this, and I don’t want to get involved in a rant.

All I want to do is get the most out of what is left in my computer, organize, and save it to another hard drive; reformat the computer to an empty Win11 environment; remove program OneDrive, and then figure out where to put the useful data I was able to save onto the external disk.

I expect to be asking a series of questions asking (sorry for repeating myself) which files I can delete and which files or directories I need not to touch.

I'm using the app Everything to show me what is on my computer.

Am I safe to delete all files I find on this computer ending with .tmp?

Why?

@jro11


This is what I would do, now that you've joined the backer-upper clan.


1. Disconnect all internet and all "other drives".
2. Clean install Windows with "Local" account. (See Clean Install tutorial). (You can switch to MS account later if desired).
3. During install... skip, say NO, or uncheck, everything.
4. Install motherboard and vid card drivers, and things like printer, camera, keyboard/mouse drivers if you require them.
5. Make a full OS backup.
6. Reconnect the internet and do the Windows Updates (if any)
7. Make a full OS backup.
8. Do all your program installs, tweaks, personalizations, etc.,
9. Use REVO uninstaller to remove all the un-needed MS junk. (See pic below).
10. Then make your final, full OS backup. The previous two backups were just temporary ones.

If this is a laptop or other prebuilt computer, export your drivers, first. Some companies use proprietary drivers.
See the tutorial for how to accomplish this.

Of course these were MY choices of things to remove. Diff folks will have diff choices.
Some things are best removed right after a clean install, like... OneDrive (see step #3 also).
After you remove something with REVO... make sure to do the... "scan for leftovers" too.
...Insert REVO pic, here...




This method.... "works fine, lasts a long time".


Last of all... after you get things set just how you like... keep up with your backups.
Make a fresh backup before patch Tuesdays and before any major changes, like new, unknown software for example.


Basic, get you started guides. These programs have manuals... read them.




Really short version...
Don't try to fix a broken Win 10 or 11 install.
Just do a clean install, then make a backup plan and stick to it.

SIW2 said:

Why?

Click to expand...

Don't ask why? Just read my input to the thread

OneDrive: Still the elephant in the room.​

Ghot said:

Last of all... after you get things set just how you like... keep up with your backups.
Make a fresh backup before patch Tuesdays and before any major changes, like new, unknown software for example.

Click to expand...

Of course you're right...to a degree..But before the plunge there's a whole lot of stuff that I've spent a whole lot of time accumulating, that I won't be able to get back, that I need to save and restore to my Windows 11 reinstall (after I rid myself of OneDrive). And that's why I'm trying to figure out what I can safely get rid of (e.g., ....tmp files) first.

(p.s. It's amazing how quickly the vultures showed up (glad to see you back!)! - I have not been active for the last week+ because I suddenly lost all internet/WiFi/phone connectivity...because my tree grew a bit.)

All I want to do is get the most out of what is left in my computer, organize, and save it to another hard drive; reformat the computer to an empty Win11 environment; remove program OneDrive, and then figure out where to put the useful data I was able to save onto the external disk.

Click to expand...

Since you are doing a Clean Install, you will not be doing a Macrium Reflect Image. You also will not be backing up any .TMP files.
Before doing this though, download Crystal Disk Info and check the Health of the drive. If it is any less then Good, it should be replaced. No sense going through all of this if the HDD/SSD is going to fail soon.

If the drive is healthy, attach an external USB HDD. Drag and Drop or Copy and Paste your C:\Users\UserName folders to the external (ie) Documents, Desktop, Downloads etc.
Follow the instructions in post #4 and do a Clean Install of Windows 11. After that, you can attach your USB External drive and restore the backed up files to the computer. Leave them on the External for backup purposes.

When the computer is all updated and it's the way you want it, make a Macrium Reflect Image and save it to your USB HDD.

jro11 said:

there's a whole lot of stuff that I've spent a whole lot of time accumulating, that I won't be able to get back

Click to expand...

Any "data" (just storage stuff), just copy the old fashioned way... to any other drive (internal or external).
Then do a clean install.


THEN... this is probably the simplest way to set up your drive(s)...





This way... you can clean install... or restore from a backup... and the "stuff you've collected" isn't affected.

jro11 said:

Don't ask why? Just read my input to the thread

OneDrive: Still the elephant in the room.​

Click to expand...

People aren’t going to read a 15 page thread to look for your input. You could easily just answer the question.

Ghot said:

This method.... "works fine, lasts a long time".

Click to expand...

I'm not able to see your menu lists clearly.

1) What I'm trying to do is to delete data, e.g., .tmp files, that can be deleted without affecting the integrity of the computer.

2) I'm next going to find and move to another drive (deleting multiple copies created by OneDrive) all my downloaded .pdf files.

3) Then I'm going to try and find an app that will show me all my empty directories (OneDrive created hundreds) and delete them.

4) Eventually, I hope to reduce what's left on the computer to files/shortcuts/directories that I originally created that I can collect, put on the external (2TB) drive and eventually restore to the rebuilt Win11--minus OneDrive--computer.

p.s. By the way, the (open source) application Everywhere has been a lifesaver app for me (replacing the horrible search capabilities of MSOS). I've never heard it referred to on this forum. Does anyone use it?

Yes been using for years

SIW2 said:

Why?

Click to expand...

OneDrive is bad enough if you use the directories Documents, Downloads, Desktop, etc. as places for single-level files to reside. If you use these directories for the eminently sensible place from which to construct deeper structured database-like files and folders (as I explained in Still the elephant... then you're asking for problems. OneDrive is never able to completely sync the well-constructed database and instead creates hundreds of file duplicates, empty folders, shortcuts,...The problem is only compounded if you decide to consult, improve, update or revise your database...

jro11 said:

I'm not able to see your menu lists clearly.

1) What I'm trying to do is to delete data, e.g., .tmp files, that can be deleted without affecting the integrity of the computer.

2) I'm next going to find and move to another drive (deleting multiple copies created by OneDrive) all my downloaded .pdf files.

3) Then I'm going to try and find an app that will show me all my empty directories (OneDrive created hundreds) and delete them.

4) Eventually, I hope to reduce what's left on the computer to files/shortcuts/directories that I originally created that I can collect, put on the external (2TB) drive and eventually restore to the rebuilt Win11--minus OneDrive--computer.

p.s. By the way, the (open source) application Everywhere has been a lifesaver app for me (replacing the horrible search capabilities of MSOS). I've never heard it referred to on this forum. Does anyone use it?

Click to expand...

You are doctoring your messed up computer ... not a very productive way to proceed.

Like I suggested in the other thread > start with gathering your user data on an external medium

jro11 said:

Don't ask why.......All I want to do is get the most out of what is left in my computer, organize, and save it to another hard drive; reformat the computer to an empty Win11 environment; remove program OneDrive, and then figure out where to put the useful data I was able to save onto the external disk.

Click to expand...

I don't care why. I only want to help you straighten it out.
It seems to me like your problem is with your user account and onedrive rather than the operating system on your computer. That be the case here's my opinion. There's no need to reinstall windows to straighten it out. Just back up your data to an external drive, create a new LOCAL account , copy your data into it, and then delete your MS account

Step by step procedure for creating new account, backing up data, and migrating data into the new account.
Note: any settings and tweaks made in old account will have to be done again in the new account. This process only creates the account and gets your files moved into it.

DO THIS FROM OLD ACCOUNT
If you have autologon set to on, you will need to disable it.

1. (HOME)AS a precaution, Turn off device encryption if it is currently on. Turn On or Off Device Encryption in Windows 11 Tutorial
(PRO) turn off standard Bitlocker. Turn Off BitLocker for Drive in Windows 11 Tutorial

2. Create a new local account
Settings>Accounts>Scroll down and click on Other Users.
Select add account>select I don't have this person's signin information
In user name box name the account.
Very Important- Make the new user an administrator. To the right of the new user name click down arrow. Select Change account type.
Click arrow to right of standard user and select Administrator.

3. While still logged into old account COPY & PASTE (NOT MOVE) any files you want saved into folders on your external drive. (Documents, Desktop, Music, Pictures, Downloads.) It is important to use copy and paste to prevent permission problems.

Export all your browser bookmarks to a file and save to external drive. Make note of your browser extensions. The bookmarks can be imported into the browser in your new account and browser extensions reinstalled. If you don’t have record of passwords saved in your browser, you’ll need a copy of those too. If you don’t know how to do this, tell us what browser you use and we can help you.


4. unlink Onedrive if it is linked. Unlink Account and PC from OneDrive in Windows 11 Tutorial
Note: even once you unlink the PC from onedrive, your current files are still stored in Onedrive on the web until you manually remove them. Sign in - Microsoft OneDrive


5. Restart computer.

DO THIS FROM NEW ACCOUNT
6. On signin screen you will see 2 accounts. Select the NEW LOCAL ACCOUNT name and it will ask you to set up a password and password hints. Also answer all the other setup option questions.
Your new desktop will be created.
Open the folders on external drive. COPY and PASTE the files you saved to the external media into the personal folders of your new account.

Import browser bookmarks and reinstall extensions.

All settings in the new account will have to be set up new.

7. Once everything is correct in new account, delete the old account. Settings>Accounts>Other Users>Click the down arrow next to your old account name and click Remove.

8. There is no need to uninstall Onedrive, just disable it from autostarting.

1. Right-click the Windows Start button from the bottom of the screen
2. Select Task Manager
3. in left pane Select “startup apps”
4. Find Onedrive in list of startup apps, RIGHT click on it and disable.

At any time you can change the new local account back to a MS account if you wish. If you want bitlocker (Pro) or device encryption(Home) to be on, you can do that too. Note: If you use device encryption in Home, it encrypts ALL your drives that you have connected.

Haydon said:

Like I suggested in the other thread > start with gathering your user data on an external medium

Click to expand...

Thanks. Sorry for taking so long to get back. I continue to have problems getting connected with my WiFi-based isp.

glasskuter said:

If you have autologon set to on, you will need to disable it.

Click to expand...

If my computer requests I enter a PIN to log on, I don't have autologon set to on, correct?

I believe I received a message saying this thread had been moved to a more appropriate location. How can I find out on which forum a thread is located?

jro11 said:

How can I find out on which forum a thread is located?

Click to expand...

At the top of this thread directly above its title. It is now in "Backup & Restore" category.. You can always find your threads in one of 2 ways, using the advanced search to search by word or phrase and user name OR at the top of any thread you see "Find threads". The drop arrow take you to either the threads you start OR the threads you've responded to.

jro11 said:

I continue to have problems getting connected with my WiFi-based isp

Click to expand...

Is the problem connecting to wifi with your computer or your network? Why I ask is there were reports the latest update broke wifi for some people. It can't be too many people though or we would be hearing more about it here.

jro11 said:

If my computer requests I enter a PIN to log on, I don't have autologon set to on, correct?

Click to expand...

That is correct.

glasskuter said:

Is the problem connecting to wifi with your computer or your network? Why I ask is there were reports the latest update broke wifi for some people. It can't be too many people though or we would be hearing more about it here.

Click to expand...

No. Apparently the tree on which my WiFi dish is mounted has grown and thrown the dish out of kilter and pinched the cable going down the tree. (However the problem has expanded. My isp installed new routers on my network and the whole thing's become a total mess!)--see thread Desktops/Ethernet? Laptops/WiFi?? for more info.

Your other thread Desktops/ethernet? Laptops/WiFi??
If you have problems with Dish or any other hardware equipment, the ISP should send out a tech and fix it as part of their contract. Make them connect their laptop to the Wifi before they leave.

jro11 said:

No. Apparently the tree on which my WiFi dish is mounted has grown and thrown the dish out of kilter and pinched the cable going down the tree.

Click to expand...

Using a tree is not the best way to go. If at all possible you need to find a more stable location to mount the dish.

Winuser said:

Using a tree is not the best way to go. If at all possible you need to find a more stable location to mount the dish.

Click to expand...

True, true, but not my determination to make. (and just their climbing the tree costs me $240)