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Universal Restore Application

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When I downloaded the 2017 version I was also offered the Universal Restore Application (339mb) What do I do with this file? I have never had to effect a Universal Restore but if I did it would be too late to install the application (A replacement C: drive) as my PC would be unbootable. Is it a totally separate application? Does it produce Bootable Media? Does it run along side TI 2017?

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It is a seperate install that needs to be run after Acronis has already been installed.  All that universal rstore is, is a an add-on for Acronis.  If the add-on is installed, when you build Acronis recovery media, it will also be included in the media as an option that can be selected from the Acronis menu.  Universal restore is not an application that runs in Windows.  

You only need to run universal restore if you are changing computers (new hardware) where drivers from the old system may prevent the older OS from being compatible with the newer hardware (like a new motherboard or possibly a newer CPU), which would cause the old OS to be unbootable on the new hardware.  Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 are much more forgiving with transferring an OS from different hardware than Windwows 7 and earlier versions, but if you find youself getting a BSOD, after an attempt to transfer an old OS to new hardware, then universal restore would be the next option to run after the restore.  Again though, you don't need it when restoring an image to the same system that the image was originally taken from , not even if you change hard drives. 

That said, just because you can transfer an old OS to new hardware, doesnt' mean it's always a good idea.  For instance, Windows licensing should be considered.  If you bought a Dell that came with an OEM license (tied to that Dell hardware), and build your own computer that has no Windows license, yeah, you can transfer the OS, but it won't be registered and if you do find a way to register it, it is not a properly licensed version.  If you own a transferable (boxed) license, then that is not an issue.

You also don't really want to take your 10 year old OS that has years of "stuff" lurking on it and bring old problems into your brand new computer unless you have no options.

Also, newer computers use GPT/UEFI.  Your old computer is probalby legacy/bios/CSM.  Legacy is old technology.  Some new systems allow for either/or, but you would be limiting the capabilities of your new hardware by reverting back to legacy mode. 

 

Thank you Bobbo, explains it perfectly.