Speed
For starters I used Windows 10, and the PC was quick. After a few updates the PC became unusably slow. First I made popcorn to keep my sanity, then returned to the machine and Googled for a solution on my iPad. And that was only the beginning. After a few energy bars and energy drinks, I had Windows 11 installed, quick first, than unusably slow again after a few updates. Running Outbyte PC Repair, made my PC fast again.
More speed
Installed a 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD and kept the 2.5 inch SATA SSD for backups. AOMEI Disk Partitioner and AOMEI Backupper helped me to move the operating system together with apps and work files from the old SSD to the new SSD:
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Initialize as GPT the new NVMe with AOMEI Disk Partitioner. UEFI BIOS needs GPT.
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Clone disk with AOMEI Backupper.
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Reboot. Enter BIOS to make sure the new SSD is the first boot option. Boot from NVMe.
Now Windows 11 loads in under one minute. NVMe used: Samsung 980 Pro.
Time Machine for Windows
AOMEI Backupper can be set to make a daily Disk Backup. The files of the backup can be browsed using the software.
Restore Options
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As long as Windows is operational, the Restore function of AOMEI Backupper can restore the “Windows C: drive” to a previous state from a Disk Backup. To do this, the application will reboot into a self created a Windows PE environment.
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AOMEI Backupper can add itself to the boot options. Once added, the PC can enter AOMEI Backupper the same way it enters the BIOS settings. This is another way to restore the “Windows C: drive” from a Disk Backup.
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No reliance on any drive inside the PC: Windows PE on an external drive can be used. AOMEI Backupper can create it.
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Simple backup: just clone your “Windows C: drive” to an external drive with the Disk Clone function of AOMEI Backupper. UEFI BIOS requires a GPT initialized drive. The PC will be able to boot from it.
More than one disk would require a Disk Backup / Disk Clone for each drive. One physical drive can host one disk clone. One physical drive can host several disk backups. One disk partition for one disk backup is a good way to go.
Crystal Dew World
Crystal Disk Mark and Crystal Disk Info are great apps to check your drives. Both are available on the Microsoft Store website.
Upgrade
Thermal paste lasts 2 years. Just in time for an upgrade to something like Corsair SF1000L 1000 Watts power supply, ASUS Pro Art 4070 12GB graphics card.
More Upgrade
Upgrade to CORSAIR iCUE LINK Smart Components. It would replace the all-in-one liquid CPU cooler, six fans, and the iCUE system hub. Currently iCUE Link slim fit fans are not available. The case can accommodate six 25mm thick fans. Check fan compatibility before purchase.
