Questions about the Factory Default Backup USB drive

Christopher_D
Christopher_D Member Posts: 2 New User
in 2015 Archives

Hi. I have a few questions about the factory backup I created with the Acer Care Center software. My laptop is an Aspire VN7-791 with two HDs, a 128 GB SSD and a 1TB storage drive.

 

This is what I have done:

  1. The laptop came installed with Windows 8.1
  2. I upgraded to windows 10, no problems.
  3. I created a recovery USB stick with the Acer Care Center.
  4. At the end of the recovery creation wizard, I chose to delete the original recovery partition on the hard drive.

These are my questions:

1)  The recovery partition was 18.1GB large and was on the 1TB storage drive. There are still 2 recovery partitions on the SSD, what do they do?

Cdrive.jpg

2)  Is it possible to replace my SSD with a larger drive and then use the recovery USB stick to re-install windows? If so, will the storage drive be affected?

3)  I'm guessing that the recovery USB stick I have created with restore my laptop to windows 8.1, so I will then have to upgrade to windows 10 again. But what if I need to recover after 29/07/15, which is when Microsoft's free Windows 10 offer ends? Will I still get Windows 10 for free, because I have already claimed it, or will I have to buy it?

 

Thank you.

Answers

  • IronFly
    IronFly ACE Posts: 18,412 Trailblazer

    1) windows default recoveries, one was from windows 8.1 installation, the other from windows 10 installation; honestly...leave as it is;

    2) yes, you can; about your data.....not sure at 100% if will be touched or not but normally a factory reset will restore everything as your laptop was at day one....so probably yes, it will be affected;

    3) i don't know

    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • Christopher_D
    Christopher_D Member Posts: 2 New User

    Hello again. First of all let me correct a the date when Microsoft's free Windows 10 offer ends. It is 29 July 2016, not 2015!

     

    Anway. I think I have found a solution to question 3. The link below may be helpfull to others.

     

    From the "Upgrade to Windows 10: FAQ" page:

    Can I reinstall Windows 10 on my PC after upgrading?

    Yes. Once you’ve upgraded to Windows 10 using the free upgrade offer, you can reinstall or perform a clean installation on the same device. You won’t need a product key to re-activate Windows 10 on the same hardware. For more information about how to create your own Windows 10 installation media, go to the Microsoft software download website.

     

    So you need 2 recovery sticks. One to restore the laptop to factory default and then one to install windows 10. I think we will still be able to create Windows 10 Installation media after the free upgade offer ends.

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