I just checked and I do have that platform. I was also able to extend the security updates for 1 year on Windows 10 for free. I did that.
askleo.com
Thanks for that link. Very interesting. Being I did the free update security thing for a year I will stick with 10 and see down the road. I do have the option as I said. It is on my computer. Thanks all.I subscribe to an online newsletter by Leo Notenboom called "Ask Leo" - He writes on a large variety of topics related to computers, cyber security, software, backing up your computer, etc.
He just published a newsletter yesterday regarding whether or not to upgrade to Windows 11. You may find it interesting. Here is a link to the newsletter:
Should I Update to Windows 11? (October 2025 update)
Windows 10 support ends October 14, 2025. Should you move to Windows 11? I’ll walk you through the pros, cons, and options: upgrade now, wait for new hardware, or even stick with Windows 10 safely. The choice is yours, but it’s time to decide.
My I ask how you did the free security update for 1 year ?
Went to Windows PC Health Check app. Opened that and then went to windows update and it listed that I was eligible for the free 1 year security updates. Clicked yes and that was done. Just went to check now and it says I am good to go. Not sure if that is how it always works.
John; YES, AND RIGHT NOW! How upset would you be if you lost all the data on your computer? Records, photos, your emails, contact lists, the list goes on.
I worked in computer programming / networking / security all my working life. Paranoia was a job skill! Before I update any program I make a backup of all its data files. If I do major updates backup EVERYTHING!
I loved your comment- 'Paranoia was a job skill'!!! So true, and glad to hear it's just not me! Your working background is very similar to mine in the space - and my operating methods are always plan for failure - so backup everything, usually on different medias. It has saved my butt more times than I can say. I also highly recommend anyone using a computer or intelligent device to always do regular backups - why risk losing things you cherish when protecting them is cheap and easy. The cost of backup drives has dropped to almost negligible amounts of money per MB and most are sold with pretty good backup applications on them to do everything automatically for you. Cloud backups are also good, but again that paranoia thing raises it's ugly head, so I do use them but prefer doing my own on my own media.
When I was working I could afford to run out and buy a new hard drive simply to use as a back up drive but now, since I am retired, am not fiscally able to this as easily anymore. I do believe many on this forum are in the same situation. It's not that I dont believe in backing up computers but perhaps some helpful information would be good. You apparently have a lot of knowledge in this topic.
I was typing a reply to @randyrls that included the use of OneDrive and GoogleDrive but changed my response while you were typing and sending yours. Although these are not absolute solutions they are an option and most are active without the lay man computer user even knowing (on by default basically) they are on. All of my photos are on GoogleDrive which you get automatically when you create a Gmail account and/or use an android device for communications. OneDrive is set up by default as your 'My Documents' folder and most dont even realize it.
I used the Windows Backup program to backup my computer settings. That qualified my computer for the 1 year security updates. I did not backup my files as that would have exceeded my free OneDrive capacity.
I also suggest trying USB memory sticks. They are cheap, hold a lot of data, and are pretty dependable. Amazon typically sells card that can hold over 1 GB for under $20. If you use 2 or 3 at a time, you can do a rotating backup plan that mimics most good backup recommendations. Do a weekly backup, using #1 for the first week, the second for the second week, and so on. You can then restore a machine that is corrupted with a 'pre-corruption' USB stick and lose nothing. The sticks often have the backup software on the for free - Sandisk is one that does.
Hey JT - So, storage progress has went from massive, low density mechanically spinning disks to much more dense spinning drives, to solid state drives. Most commercial large scale installations still employee mechanical disk drives as they are still the industry standard, but they are very fragile and if jostled, banged, or god forbid experience a power failure while the metal heads are in motion over the spinning drive, they are pretty easy to destroy. Solid state drives (SSD) have evolved over the last bunch of years to the point that pretty much any computer sold today has solid state drives (SSD) in it. They are high density (typically 2-4 TB), durable, and fairly low in cost. You can buy cheapo USB sticks and use a few of them like I said and get a pretty good backup solution, or you can purchase much higher end ruggedized solid state drives - some even sold at Costco - typically in the $100-150 range like these - Costco SSD drives for sale .
What settings does it sync to onedrive? Just wondering why Microsoft would want people to do that.
So, you spent upwards of $3k for a Synology NAS setup and end up using a process that would cost around $100 (maybe $150 if 2 hard drives were purchased for redundancy) using copy and paste to an external hard drive that could be stored away when not in use and then reconnected when you want to make a new 'backup'? Or maybe just use a hard drive bay connected via USB that can be turned on and off without needing to store it away?
I did watch the video. His explanations were spot on. I aimed my explanation at non-tech people so simplicity was important. If you read the comments they highlighted the subtle differences between INCREMENTAL and DIFFERENTIAL backups. On incremental backups you need to restore the latest FULL backup and then EVERY incremental backup in order after that. If you are doing DIFFERENTIAL backups, you only need the latest FULL back and the latest DIFFERENTIAL backup. Doing either differential OR incremental backup is quicker than a full backup.
Hardly. More like 3 or 4 hundred. The NAS provides a redundant backup. More than just an attached drive.
It syncs the settings that are synced to other devices. Which include Accessibility, Accounts, WiFi networks and passwords, Personalization, Language preferences and dictionary, Other Windows settings. I think Microsoft wants you using their OneDrive storage and paying for the more than free version. Users that would backup their files would have to buy the extra storage. Luckily backing up just the settings doesn't use much storage space and qualifies as backing up to OneDrive for the security updates.
