usb – Objective Technologies

How to perform a clean install of Windows 11

Objective — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 21:00:21 +0000

Performing a clean install of Windows 11 allows you to start fresh with a completely new operating system that is free of old settings, unnecessary files, and potential malware. It also gives you the opportunity to upgrade your machine if you’ve been using an older version of Windows. Doing so can give your device faster boot times, improved stability, and enhanced protection against malicious software. Here are the different methods you can take to perform a clean install of Windows 11.

1. USB drive

The simplest way to perform a clean install of Windows 11 is to create a bootable USB drive with Microsoft’s media creation tool. This requires an 8 GB or larger USB drive and a valid Windows 11 Product Key (or digital license).

Once the USB drive is created, insert it into your computer and reboot. If your PC does not automatically boot from the USB drive, you will need to access the BIOS menu by pressing the appropriate key during startup (e.g., DEL, F12, etc.) and change the boot settings.

When you boot through the USB, you’ll be guided through the Windows 11 installation process. If you are reinstalling Windows 11, you won’t need to enter a product key. You simply need to accept the license terms, select the hard drive you want to install Windows 11 on, and follow the onscreen instructions. Keep in mind that deleting a drive partition or reinstalling Windows 11 on a specific drive will erase all the data stored on that drive.

During the installation, you’ll have to select the language and region, name your PC, determine whether the device is for personal or professional use, set up your Microsoft account, and customize your privacy settings.

2. ISO file

You can install Windows 11 by downloading an ISO file from the Microsoft support site. When downloaded, right-click the ISO file, click Mount > Virtual drive. Then, double-click the setup.exe file to begin the Windows 11 installation. Go through the installation guide and link the device to your Microsoft account.

3. Reset PC from recovery settings

If you already have Windows 11 installed but are experiencing issues like frequent system freezes, slow boot times, and more, you may be able to fix the problem by resetting your PC from the recovery settings. This method doesn’t work if you’re planning to upgrade from an older version of Windows.

To reset your PC, go to Settings > System > Recovery. In the recovery options, click on the Reset this PC button, click the remove everything option, and then select local reinstall. You can also configure the reinstallation options and choose whether to wipe just data, delete files from all drives, or download Windows from the cloud. Finally, press confirm and reset to reinstall Windows 11.

4. Advanced startup options

If you’re unable to boot your PC normally, you can use the advanced startup options to perform a clean install of Windows 11. To access the advanced startup options, press and hold the power button on your PC to do a hard reboot. Do this at least three times until the screen says “Automatic Repair.”

When you see this message, go to Advanced Options > Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Remove everything . Select either cloud download or local reinstall, and choose whether to remove only files or format the entire drive. You’ll then be guided through the setup process as if you were doing a clean install from a USB drive.

Note that this method only works if you already have Windows 11 installed on the device.

Reinstalling Windows 11 can be a daunting process, which is why you can always consult with us to help you with the process. We have experience in performing clean installations of Windows 11 and can help you avoid any potential problems. Call us today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

Data backup solutions your business needs

Objective — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 20:00:34 +0000

No one likes to think about losing data. But whether it’s due to cyberattacks, disgruntled employees, human error, equipment failure, or natural disasters, a data loss incident is always possible. The best way to avoid losing valuable customer and company information is to have a reliable backup solution. Here are some solutions for your consideration.

Tape drives

Tape drives are the oldest backup solution still in use today because they offer high-capacity data storage and are very cost-effective. Modern tape drives come with 114 TB native capacity and 360 TB compressed capacity, which is larger compared to most hard disk drives.

In addition, well-maintained tape drives can store data for over 30 years. Other devices, such as hard drives, become less reliable overtime. Also, tape drives are stored offline, which means they’ll be safe should your business fall victim to an online attack.

External hard drives

An external hard drive is a portable hard drive that can be connected to a desktop or laptop through a USB port. External hard drives come in varying storage capacities ranging from 1 TB to 18 TB.

For companies that can’t afford multiple servers or cloud storage, external hard drives are a cost-effective way of backing up valuable data. External hard drives are portable and let you access your files even when you’re offline.

When using external hard drives, however, you need to update your backups regularly to include new files. Also, there’s a risk these devices can be misplaced or stolen if they are not stored in a secure location.

USB drives

USB drives are an inexpensive and simple data backup solution. While they don’t have the capacity of external hard drives or tape drives, newer flash drives can store up to 1 TB of data, making them the ideal option if you’re not planning to store a huge amount of files. And because USB flash drives have a compact design, they are easy to carry around.

USB drives are compatible with both PC and Mac devices as long as they have a USB port. Modern ones are designed with transfer speeds of up to 4.8 GB per second. This allows you to copy files faster compared to hard drives which only have a transfer rate of 150 MB per second. The only drawback with USB drives is that they can be misplaced easily, so be sure to store them in a safe and secure place after use.

Cloud storage

Cloud storage allows you to back up your data online. This reduces the need for physical storage, helping you cut down on hardware maintenance costs and office space. And since your data is stored online, you can access your files from anywhere with a stable internet connection. This makes file sharing easier, thus facilitating remote and hybrid setups, which became the norm during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, most cloud providers offer encryption services to ensure only authorized personnel can access the stored data. Keep in mind, however, that there are still providers out there that do not have sufficient security protocols in place, exposing sensitive data to cyberthreats. So before you decide to use cloud storage, make sure the provider you choose is familiar with data regulation laws and uses the latest cybersecurity protocols to ensure the safety of your data.

Data backup may seem like a chore, but having copies of your files offline, off premises, or in the cloud will ensure the continuity of your business in the event of a disaster. Call our data backup experts today to learn more.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The best data backup solutions for your business

Objective — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 21:00:25 +0000

Data is valuable to business, so it’s bizarre that some companies don’t have a proper data backup strategy in place. Organizations of all sizes — including yours — need to be proactive when backing up their data. Here are four of the best backup solutions in the market for your consideration.

USB flash drives

USB flash drives are data storage devices that include flash memory with an integrated USB interface. They are not just inexpensive and portable, but they can also be used to back up data from several computers.

However, USB flash drives are easy to misplace, which is why they’re not suitable for long-term data storage. They are better used as intermediate backups.

External hard drives

External hard drives are portable hard drives that can be connected to a computer through a USB port. These devices have the lowest cost per gigabyte compared to other backup devices and boast quick transfer rates, allowing users to back up a large amount of data within seconds.

One of the drawbacks of using external hard drives is that you’ll need to update your backups regularly to include new files. There’s also the risk of the device being misused or stolen. For example, an employee might use the drive for storing personal files or take it with them when they quit.

Network-attached storage (NAS)

NAS is a dedicated server for storing data, and it can also be used as an email server. It has its own IP address and can operate either wired or wirelessly. NAS also offers data redundancyㅡ it generates a backup of your backups, ensuring that your files are fully protected.

On the downside, NAS can’t be scaled beyond system limits. This means that you have to purchase additional hard drive bays if you need more capacity. NAS is also vulnerable to malware, and you have to configure it a certain way to keep it protected.

Cloud storage

Cloud storage is becoming increasingly popular among businesses because of its many benefits. For one, it allows users to access their data from anywhere using any internet-connected device. It also enables businesses to pay for only the resources they use. Lastly, cloud service providers (CSPs) handle the installation, management, and maintenance processes themselves, allowing you to focus on more important business matters.

However, some CSPs don’t implement sufficient security measures on their systems, potentially exposing data to cyberthreats. This makes cloud storage an unsuitable solution for medical practices, law firms, and other organizations that handle sensitive data. To use the cloud, businesses in these sectors must find a service provider that implements top-of-the-line cybersecurity protocols and specializes in data regulations compliance.

Choosing the best backup solution has far-reaching impacts on your business. Each method or device has trade-offs, which is why you need to select the one best suited to your business’s needs. Enlist the help of our experts to ensure you make the right choice.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.