"File History" is the Microsoft supplied means of backing up a Windows system. It's been available since Windows 8 was released.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
....aaaand mine needs to have its MB replaced :(
- Thread starter tompiouf
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I hear you but I'm the opposite. I got tired of Windows. Outlook has never worked right for me. My imap connections often had issues, especially the last 3 years. I've been on Outlook since it was called MS Mail. I got tired of trying connecting to local machines and windows not finding them one day but finding them the next. And I got tired of not having basic software like video editing and databases that work well and easily. So I sort of had to move from Windows to Mac (with mail, calendar, contacts that just work along with FileMaker Pro and iMovie/Final Cut Pro). Mac isn't a panacea but right now it does what I need. I still have 2 pcs with windows for scanning and security cameras but they aren't my primary drivers.
By default it backs up your data. You can choose additional sources for it to backup. I do not believe it can back up settings unless the settings are stored in a file.
That's what I mean. There's so much stuff that macOS (and iOS) does that, upon closer look, needs some 3rd-party software or isn't even accomplishable by default on Windows. (IIRC, all current Macs support internet-recovery - you don't need to write an image to an USB stick etc, whereas if you don't have Windows installed and no media, you're pretty much lost).
I don't think you get a physical DVD shipped with a new PC these days?
That said, if your Mac doesn't boot anymore like the OPs, it's game over, too.
I'd certainly not be too pleased about that, either.
The Mini configuration I'd looking at is about 2500 CHF. Buying a 2500 CHF lemon would make me very sad, too.
I don't think you get a physical DVD shipped with a new PC these days?
That said, if your Mac doesn't boot anymore like the OPs, it's game over, too.
I'd certainly not be too pleased about that, either.
The Mini configuration I'd looking at is about 2500 CHF. Buying a 2500 CHF lemon would make me very sad, too.
Windows doesn't need any additional software for backups. File History provides the same backup capability as Time Machine (your reference point).
Internet Recovery is a function of the Mac hardware and not macOS. Windows can be remotely booted / installed from a remote server so I see no technical limitation as to why it could not be booted / installed over the Internet.
Pre-built Windows systems typically have a partition from which the OS, applications, and drivers can be re-installed. They even include tools to create restore media in the event the hard drive fails.
fwiw, my mini runs like it should drive. Been booting off externals like crazy for the past few days, external thunderbolt drive works like a dream. very happy with it
also i hate time machine. garbage. i need realtime full backups, i know what im doing when im doing it.
CCC for me
also i hate time machine. garbage. i need realtime full backups, i know what im doing when im doing it.
CCC for me
File history only saves files. And if the files are in any "unusual" location, you've to to include that, too.
Time Machine backups everything. You actually need to make exclusions.
And while you can replace the SSD on a typical Windows PC, if that SSD contains the recovery partition with the OS installation on it, you still need something like Acronis...
Time Machine backups everything. You actually need to make exclusions.
And while you can replace the SSD on a typical Windows PC, if that SSD contains the recovery partition with the OS installation on it, you still need something like Acronis...
This is a configuration issue. You can configure File History to backup everything if you so choose. IMO File History does what a backup solution should do: Backup the users data.
Already addressed:
"They even include tools to create restore media in the event the hard drive fails."
Windows also includes "Backup and Restore" (from Windows 7 days) which can create a System Image (which contains everything on the system: Windows, applications, settings, drivers, users data, etc...everything).
But this is tangential to your statement that Windows doesn't include Time Machine functionality. It does.
Yup. That's what I thought too. i believed in Internet Recovery. I did...
...Before my three weeks old Mac Mini 2018 got litterally stuck on Internet recovery, and Apple has no other solution than replacing the motherboard.
that machine killed my dreams...
windows was harder to back up,but there is some good cloning software.
or you can get a cloning unit. which is what I do.
I’m a newbie and don’t understand. You tried to recover the operating system or your working files (songs, word docs, etc)? Can’t you recover your operating system by reinstalling from a thumbdrive then reinstall your files from an external time machine backup? Does the T2 not allow any of this?Yup. That's what I thought too. i believed in Internet Recovery. I did...
...Before my three weeks old Mac Mini 2018 got litterally stuck on Internet recovery, and Apple has no other solution than replacing the motherboard.
that machine killed my dreams...
Last edited:
Philip wrote:
"the t2 fully locked everything out and made the mob unable to boot or recover."
...and that's why the very first thing I'm going to do with my t2-equipped Mini (when I get one) is to DISABLE the t2 -- at least as much as can be disabled by the user.
I'm not interested in the "security" it provides...
"the t2 fully locked everything out and made the mob unable to boot or recover."
...and that's why the very first thing I'm going to do with my t2-equipped Mini (when I get one) is to DISABLE the t2 -- at least as much as can be disabled by the user.
I'm not interested in the "security" it provides...
yeah I understand a t2 chip on the MacBook Pro. As you take it out of your home and it is easy to,lose it or get it stolen. And if you hand me a MacBook Pro with out a t2 chip I can lift the info from the drive.
But if the Mac mini is in your house a t2 chip has less purpose.
Now if a business has Mac mini’s and wants to guard against info getting lifted t2 chip is okay.
Fo me I will stick with my three 2012 mid i5s my two 2014 units and wait the t2 chip out.
Ie 2019 dec or 2020 feb
But if the Mac mini is in your house a t2 chip has less purpose.
Now if a business has Mac mini’s and wants to guard against info getting lifted t2 chip is okay.
Fo me I will stick with my three 2012 mid i5s my two 2014 units and wait the t2 chip out.
Ie 2019 dec or 2020 feb
Philip wrote:
"For me I will stick with my three 2012 mid i5s my two 2014 units and wait the t2 chip out."
I don't think this is a matter of "waiting it out".
The t2 chip -- or at least, the concept of having it there -- is probably going to be "built into" all future Macs, as Apple continues to force the Mac OS and iOS towards "a merger".
What will eventually supplant the t2?
Probably the t3...
Which will exert even more "control" over one's Mac.
"For me I will stick with my three 2012 mid i5s my two 2014 units and wait the t2 chip out."
I don't think this is a matter of "waiting it out".
The t2 chip -- or at least, the concept of having it there -- is probably going to be "built into" all future Macs, as Apple continues to force the Mac OS and iOS towards "a merger".
What will eventually supplant the t2?
Probably the t3...
Which will exert even more "control" over one's Mac.
well it may be they realize some of us don't need it. and they may allow it to be fully turned off.
or some clever coder may come up with a way to turn it off.
Or I finally free myself of apple going linux and windows.