Just had the bit where my desktop wouldn't shut down, so I had no choice but to switch it off. Then it wouldn't move from the start screen on boot up, it eventually did come back, so I scanned for virus's, this turned up nothing. So now I want someone to explain how to make a back up or something that will restart my computer to as it was if it happened again, in simple terms please.
Back up usb?
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RogerOver
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I think the easiest way is to use the lastest free version of the very good Macrium Reflect backup program: https://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Back-Up-and-Recovery/Macrium-Reflect-Free-Edition.shtml
It has a "Rescue-button" (upper left in my 1st screenshot, where it says "Secours" on my French computer), which you can click after installation of Macrium Reflect in order to create a second boot entry (Windows Recovery Environment), which you will briefly see at boot whenever you start your PC / laptop.
You can then opt to start your computer normally (1st normal boot entry) or from this second Macrium boot / recovery option. If you haven't yet created a backup image with Macrium, there will be an option to "resolve Windows boot problems". (Unfortunately it's a bit hidden in the 4th entry ("restore" in English) of the horizontal menu of the window that opens after opting for the second (WinRe) entry; see 2nd screenshot).
If you created a backup image before and saved it somewhere on an external (usb) drive, you can also chose to start from the backup image instead of your actual setup.
It has a "Rescue-button" (upper left in my 1st screenshot, where it says "Secours" on my French computer), which you can click after installation of Macrium Reflect in order to create a second boot entry (Windows Recovery Environment), which you will briefly see at boot whenever you start your PC / laptop.
You can then opt to start your computer normally (1st normal boot entry) or from this second Macrium boot / recovery option. If you haven't yet created a backup image with Macrium, there will be an option to "resolve Windows boot problems". (Unfortunately it's a bit hidden in the 4th entry ("restore" in English) of the horizontal menu of the window that opens after opting for the second (WinRe) entry; see 2nd screenshot).
If you created a backup image before and saved it somewhere on an external (usb) drive, you can also chose to start from the backup image instead of your actual setup.
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The Shadow 2023
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First ? I'd have to ask, is, "How are you shutting down your PC?"
Over the years, I've gained a lot of good information from the Internet Forums. It's been ages since I first learned of the "Quick Shutdown" shortcut. The syntax for that shortcut has changed a little bit over the years and OS upgrades, but it still works a treat, to quickly and efficiently shut down your PC. I've never seen it fail!
%windir%\System32\shutdown.exe /s /t 1
Just copy and paste that text into a desktop shortcut, * and you can pin that shortcut to your Taskbar, for a ONE CLICK SHUTDOWN.
I use that shortcut on every one of my 10 PC's, and the "Five Second Shutdown" is typical.
* Works for both Windows 10, and Windows 11, Home or Pro, Lite or Normal.
For years, as a working PC tech, I've given that shortcut to ALL of my PC customers, and they've all just loved it.
Cheers Mate!
Shadow
Over the years, I've gained a lot of good information from the Internet Forums. It's been ages since I first learned of the "Quick Shutdown" shortcut. The syntax for that shortcut has changed a little bit over the years and OS upgrades, but it still works a treat, to quickly and efficiently shut down your PC. I've never seen it fail!
%windir%\System32\shutdown.exe /s /t 1
Just copy and paste that text into a desktop shortcut, * and you can pin that shortcut to your Taskbar, for a ONE CLICK SHUTDOWN.
I use that shortcut on every one of my 10 PC's, and the "Five Second Shutdown" is typical.
* Works for both Windows 10, and Windows 11, Home or Pro, Lite or Normal.
For years, as a working PC tech, I've given that shortcut to ALL of my PC customers, and they've all just loved it.
Cheers Mate!
Shadow
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Just a note, I copied the line and opened Notepad, pasted it then chose File, Save as and named it QuickShutdown.bat on the Desktop then double-clicked. It shut down rather quickly. Pressing the power button brought things back up. Works fine in Win11.
The Shadow 2023
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I think my instructions said to use that text in a Desktop Shortcut.....NOT a batch file!
The biggest problem with using the Windows Shutdown method, is that it is more complicated and takes longer.
Using the shortcut that I listed, open files are forced to close, thus speeding up the Shutdown process, and assuring that all files are closed before Windows actually shuts down.
That shortcut, in the task bar, has worked 100% for me, and hundreds of my customers, for a long time.
Shadow
The biggest problem with using the Windows Shutdown method, is that it is more complicated and takes longer.
Using the shortcut that I listed, open files are forced to close, thus speeding up the Shutdown process, and assuring that all files are closed before Windows actually shuts down.
That shortcut, in the task bar, has worked 100% for me, and hundreds of my customers, for a long time.
Shadow