"Entire computer" -- will it restore applications and registry?
I recently had to undergo a Dell Support Assist OS Recovery process, which left me booted into Windows 10 with some of my data files restored (those I kept in "standard" locations like Documents and Pictures) but without the custom applications I had installed and without my personal data files that I kept in nonstandard locations.
I have a recent "Entire computer" backup on an external hard drive. If I reinstall Acronis True Image 2020 and restore that backup, will all of my applications, files, registry entries, etc., be restored too?


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Steve, thank you for this wonderfully detailed answer and for the welcome. I will try this process and report back.
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Well, the process technically worked, but I ended up on the same Dell "Automatic Repair" screen after the restart, which makes no sense since the backup that I restored from was done before I did the BIOS update that caused my problems in the first place.
So I went through the Dell OS Recovery process again, and now I'm reinstalling my applications one at a time and restoring my personal data files from my Acronis "Files and folders" backup; good thing I also had one of those handy.
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Claudia, it is possible that the BIOS update changed the mode used for the disk controller, i.e. from AHCI to using RAID which could give this type of issue when restoring if the backup being used does not have the appropriate device drivers for the new disk controller mode.
See forum topic: Disable RAID setting in BIOS when booting from external media
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Hmm... I tried changing the setting away from RAID, but the reboot went right back to "Automatic Repair." So I changed it back to RAID and things are working now. I got my applications and data back in place, have done fresh backups, and am hoping for the best. Thanks for all your help, Steve.
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