Which stage to create a restore backup for Windows for a Music DAW setup? Symlink to save space or decide what files to bring out or stay home

Right now, important to be problem-free, virus free.

So we install ALL drivers, ALL Cubase and default softwares ONLY – maschine, remote sl… skip komplete and opther stuffs

For the non-defaults, i.e. trillian,stylus etc,  try to install them and ALL plugins to another directory outside of SYSTEM directory, By system we mean C:\program files , anywhere that will be backed up and restored. A good location would be ANOTHER DRIVE \ Musicdata\ Vstplugins

+ automap, remote SL

+ maschine

Remember to point Cubase to use the right VST folder in MUSICDATA, to scan in Plugin Manager.

Setup:

https://www.steinberg.net/en/support/knowledgebase_new/show_details/kb_show/optimizing-windows-for-daws.html

Configure power energy settings for your OS.

Finally use Macrium Reflect on Windows 10:

http://www.howtogeek.com/199068/how-to-upgrade-your-existing-hard-drive-in-under-an-hour/

– VSS failure image backup ? : http://windowssecrets.com/forums/showthread.php/172081-Best-of-breed-Win10-s-hybrid-backup-system?p=1026251&viewfull=1#post1026251

• Use Windows 7 on Macbook pro to do it.

MUSICDATA folder of plugins and samples can be symbolic linked to an external drive and behave like it’s LOCAL to cubase, maschine and other softwares:

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/16226/complete-guide-to-symbolic-links-symlinks-on-windows-or-linux/

• Copy MUSICDATA from local to external drive i.e. J:\
  – install LINK SHELL EXTENSION
  – Pick J:\MUSICDATA as ‘PICK LINK SOURCE’ on right click menu in File Explorer
  – Then on local C:\ (lacie) drop as ‘SYMBOLIC LINK’
  – that’s it!