Clone a Windows 2016 Server HDD to a bootable SSD for replacement/backup
Does Server 2016 have an easy way to clone the HDD to an SSD, including replicating the drive partitions so that the drive can be simply swapped out of the machine? And a way to save a backup clone in case of that drive's failure? I saw articles about using Sysprep to prepare an image but that doesnt provide for making sure the recovery partition is cloned, nor does it ensure that the machine will be bootable. Can it perhaps take a hardware fingerprint to make sure its being used for one particular machine? If the solution is a 3rd party cloning tool, what is recommended? Thanks!Microsoft Enters the Backup Business with a New Syntex Service
Microsoft plans to deliver a new Pay As You Go (PAYG) backup and restore service as part of their Syntex content management suite. It's a big change for Microsoft because they've never delivered backup and restore services for Microsoft 365 before. Although the code isn't available yet, Microsoft has given some hints about what they might deliver. The services covered include Exchange and SharePoint, but there's no mention of Teams... and we wonder if the new service can handle some of the complexities of backup and restore in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. https://practical365.com/syntex-backup-service/
surviving ransomware-importing pst files into new drive
I am both a cancer survivor and a ransom-ware survivor. I was able to interrupt the encryption process by quickly disconnecting my modem and security software. I was able to recover most of the drives files, but lost the boot sector. I backed up what was left of the drive on Acronis True Image. However my intact Outlook.pst files are password protected with passwords I have no knowledge of. Those emails contain emails, doctors correspondence, doctors appointments and other medical information. I am also a writer and need to recover specific writings of mine in my SENT folder and that folder is equally important for medical and writing sources. As of now, I am running on backups from back early April to late May. It is critical for me to import my pst files. Does anyone in the community have a suggestion for me? Does Microsoft have any way around such a problem? Bill Anderson
