I rebuild my software installation every couple of years. I have all my installation software on an external drive along with an installation spreadsheet and accompanying word document that describles the installation process for each app (and I've got way more apps than anyone needs, but you never know). I keep the drive up to date as I install updates along the way. The spreadsheet also has all my activation codes and login information. I also have a list of all the apps that need de-activation before starting the process.

This has allowed me to keep my desktop and laptop pretty well in sync (configuration-wise), so if one dies, the other can pick up the work. I also use SyncTrayzor to keep data files in sync between the two boxes that are hard wired into a switch.

I have a full backup of that installation drive, and offline backups of my data, and restoration is just the time it takes to run the installs and copy the data (if needed).

This has worked great for me for many years now.

John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA

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