Windows will create a restore point every time it updates. That's where the once a week thing probably comes into play. I also creates restore points when you install (or sometimes remove) software if it's included in the install wizard.

 

First, System Restore is not enabled in Windows 11 by default. You have to manaully enable it if you want it on. See How to use System Restore on Windows 11 | Windows Central

Second, System Restore is not a backup feature. It can help roll back "some" very recent changes but it will NOT undo everything or restore deleted files. It does not affect your personal files, for example.

System Restore has resulted in a lot of misconceptions about its features and capabilities and as such, has generated a lot of disappointments - even if undue. Perhaps that is why Microsoft decided not to enable it by default in W11.

Third, quoting "some Internet article" is like saying "some guy on the Internet said the Earth is flat, therefore, it must be true."

My advice is to "leave the defaults alone".

Then have a good backup program that involves multiple backup copies with, preferably, at least one copy kept off site.

 

Thanks to you both. I was too lazy to quote the web site's name where I got that information in bold letters.

If the drivers I download and install and/or some catastrophic event such as forced BIOS update by Windows make my pcs unresponsive, I believe I can use Restore Point as a last source.

That's my thinking. Remember Digerati, not everybody is as skilled and knowledgeable as you. Unless you pay to the manufacturer customer support does not exist anymore.

 

That's my thinking. Remember Digerati, not everybody is as skilled and knowledgeable as you.

I don't need reminding of that at all. I am constantly reminded that there are many who are much more skilled and knowledgeable than me. That is no excuse, however, for me not to use google to verify my facts before posting. In fact, it is a reason to verify my facts first.

And to that, what I wanted to do was verify the facts - which is why it would have been good for you to include a link to where you some internet article.

In fact, just the other day MPR pointed out how my facts were outdated concerning motherboard mounting hole locations with the ATX 2.1 standard.

such as forced BIOS update by Windows

Windows does not force BIOS updates. The BIOS is at the hardware level, way before the operating system is touched.
.

 

I am curious because I made a foolish decision to update BIOS (although I did not have problems)

At least you learnt your lesson the easy way.
A lot of times we get I upgraded my BIOS. I now have a new door stop.

Then have a good backup program that involves multiple backup copies

This is what smart people do. (I don't, but I've never claimed to be smart)

I believe I can use Restore Point as a last source.

If the Restore point fails, then what? - Hands up all those who have restore points fail on them.
If HDD fails, the backup is your only chance of recovery.

 

Hello Peter; Good morning to you.

Backup is important. Early 90's I didn't. I had to reinstall everything from floppy disks!! Lesson learned.

I am not worried about purchased and free software on my machines. Everything can be reinstalled.
I bug my wife every time she works on her spreadsheets to save them on thumb drives and external drives. She is tired of being reminded!!

 

I bug my wife every time she works on her spreadsheets to save them on thumb drives and external drives. She is tired of being reminded!!

Do this automatically.

 

From earlier. I use synctoy and have a shutdown button on the desktop which runs this.
It goes to a usb and a nas.

File backup question

On my desktop PC I have around 150 "Keeper" files backed up on a USB memory stick. I have now over time added maybe 15-20 new files to the collection, that I wish to add to the backup on the stick. If I ask Windows to copy the entire file selection again (to include the new files), I expect...

www.techguy.org

 

I will update the BIOS on brand new builds. After that, I rarely do.

It should be noted that most BIOS updates simply add support for new features or new CPUs or RAM that came out after the motherboard left the factory. Unless the board is a brand new design, most updates don't even include bug fixes, except for very rare scenarios affecting only a tiny handful of users. So I always read the change log first and if the update does not affect me personally, I pass.

As far as what Microsoft claimed about BIOS updates for factory made computers - I suppose that could be true. But since factory made computers are notoriously proprietary (especially Dell and HP), except for my laptop, I have not used a factory made computer in 25 years.

If working on someone's factory made computer and WU tells me there is a BIOS update, I would cancel WU, then visit the computer's webpage and learn what is happening. If the BIOS update is needed, I would install it from there.