Preparing to use my new computer

[Grubba]

I seem to have read somewhere that before using a new HP Spectre X360, it is important to create a reconfigure or reset device in case it should be necessary for some reason to restore the computer to factory setting or some previous date.

Is this right, and how do I make such a device or partition? Thank you!

Grubba

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

@Grubba 

Do NOT try to create any kind of partition -- as this risks trashing your PC and rendering it unusable.

I personally prefer to use third-party Backup solutions as they tend to be both more flexible and more reliable than any built-in solutions.

Macrium Reflect (MR) provides a FREE version that can be used to image and restore partitions or entire drives.

What I recommend is the following:
1) Download and install Macrium Reflect (MR) from here: http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx
2) Run MR and choose the option: "Create an image of the partition(s) required to backup and restore Windows" to write a full backup to an external drive or USB stick
3) Use the option to create a boot USB stick or CD

My experience is that MR, when using the High Compression option, typically can compress the saved image file to about 50% of the USED space in the OS partition. This means if you have an 80GB OS partition, and 40GB is used, MR only needs about 20GB to store the image file.

I use this all the time and it typically takes less than 15 minutes to do the image backup and about the same time or less to do a restore.

Plus, MR has the option to Add a Recovery Boot Menu entry. This allows you then to boot into WinRE, and you can then use that to do a restore -- when you can't boot into Windows!

NOW, you have the means to restore a full working system from the external drive or USB stick in only a few minutes.

[Grubba]

Thanks much for your kind reply. My new PC will arrive tomorrow or Saturday, and I will do my best to prevent it from crashing caused by the user (me). After 50 years in programming and tech, I am aware of computer damages caused by noncunning operators. Thanks again!