sfc /scannow WILL NOT function

My thoughts  were that a WindowsImageBackup should be on an external hard drive - mine are Seagates - in case the OS totally crashed out.  But if they're supposed to be in a root directory I could make a new one on the computer.

My WindowsImageBackup folder which includes Clean1909  (16 GB) and MyLatestAggravation which the 1909 with apps (70 GB) takes up 86 GB together which seemed to me to be a lot for only two images. But maybe not. I have a bad habit of  keeping everything "just in case" then thinking I should start tossing.

Good to know that the permission thing isn't something I didn't do properly.

I guess it's time to stop pestering you, you've been great though thanks again. I don't know how long I'll be having a service provider anyway. I was told this morning that Consolidated Communications - my provider - has decided they have done their best and can't fix the problem  and so will likely disconnect me. Apparently it isn't fiscally sound to continue.

At least I know it's not my OS or my pc like their implied for so long.

Thank you again so very much PCR. You deserve a gold star for all this. Stay safe.

You are welcome.

(1) Regarding Windows system image backup...

(a) That's right, there is no option to create one on a flash drive. I haven't copied one there to see whether the restore process would then see it (for restore purposes) because I don't believe it belongs on one anyway. The last thing the image making process does is to "create a shadow copy" onto the drive on which it is making the image. I'm not sure what that is, maybe it's an invisible partition containing a duplicate of the image or stuff important for it to function. I think probably one cannot be made onto a flash drive.

(b) WindowsImageBackup has to go onto a network location (of which I know nothing) or onto an external hard drive (HDD). The HDD need not be dedicate to it. A 2 TB HDD holds my 3 images plus other stuff easily with a ton of space left.

(c) I think because the shadow copy doesn't go with it, WindowsImageBackup is unreliable when moved from one drive to another. WindowsImageBackup does get seen by the restore process on the second HDD (as long as it's still in a root folder), but things look funny in a dry run to restore it. My notes seem to say, C: didn't show up as one of the partitions to restore or it was named oddly. It's possible, I guess, it would actually restore -- but I just don't quite trust it. You can probably move it back to the original drive (that has the shadow copy) & expect it to work, but why move it away in the first place then.

(d) "So are you saying I should make another and put it root drive instead of trying to move it?

I really don't think one needs a duplicate of ones images. The older an image gets, the less one likely will want it. When 2004 comes in & I'm sure it works nicely, I'll certainly never restore 1909. I keep the last three made just in case the first two won't work. Also, it's good in case there is a problem to correct that goes that far back. Here's what I've currently got (as on page 11). When 2004 comes in, I'll delete/replace the top one. The other two will be replaced in time...

(e) That whole folder (3 full images) is only 94.1 GBs for me...

And it takes 15/so minutes for me to make an image. Have you deleted that first image you made yet? It contained 1809, 1909 & Win 8.1 to boot! But -- if you still get large ones & they take a long time to make -- maybe a 3rd-party image maker is more appropriate for you. They are quicker & make more compact images. If you've got a Seagate or Maxtor HDD, their site will have an old but free version of Acronis True Image that will work (but you'll need a real mouse to use in Seagate's recovery environment).

(2) Regarding Permissions...

(a) It is normal to have a Default & a Public user in the Users folder along with your user name. And, if you turn back on the Built-In Administrator, you'll get one for that too.

(b) I see you renamed your computer to "MyLatestAggrava". I hope it hasn't guessed the rest of that, but I do doubt it is the cause of Permissions problems.

(c) Lots of my Permissions look like the one in your picture. And what you say about them all not looking the same is true & as odd to me as it is to you.

(d) "You're probably right about the permission."

Ah, yes, my guess was right. I found another folder that gave that "click to get permanent permissions" message when I tried to open it (like each new image folder does). Until you click it, trying to copy/paste the folder gives the other message...

But these are system folders we probably shouldn't be moving anyway.

(e) I asked Cortana twice to "Open Photos", & the second time was quicker. It took a second/two. The first time an app is opened it does more.

(f) I do hope that was indeed "just a little glitch" signing in after a hibernation. It hasn't happened to me, not that I can quite recall. Occasionally, I do get other glitches, such as Cortana becoming unresponsive or Edge crashing. And I haven't even named my computer anything naughty.

1. WindowsImageBackup asked where to place the file and gave me the option of my external drive first. So that's where I thought it was supposed to be backup. It does takes up a load of space and won't even fit on one of my portable drives. If I don't need it there or a duplicate of it, that's wonderful.

    Can I zip something like that effectively ie. would it get any smaller?

    So are you saying I should make another and put it root drive instead of trying to move it?

    Is it going to be all right to move the clean 1906 folder from the external drive to that root file?

2. No, I didn't change the user name just renamed the computer. There is a DEFAULT user along eith mine in the user folder. Not all of my security windows have the same Group or user names listed which I thought was odd, Creator shows up in some but not all. The All APPLICATION PACKAGES AND ALL RESTRICTED APPLICATION PACKAGES which neither has full permission, is something new to this version. It definitely wasn't there in 1809. However it again doesn't show up in all files, so it could be something to do with other software companies. Authenticated Users and Everyone sometimes but aren't always listed. Maybe because there's that Default User folder along with my colem- still not my full user name - in the user folder which I thought was something to do with MS. Yes my "Group or User Names" list (relevant to my computer) has the same ones checked as yours does.

You're probably right about the permission. I didn't realize I would have to give permission to every file I use after a reinstall since I didn't have to do that when I first bought the pc.

I have noticed like a lot of people on line - internet is working today so far :) - that 1909 runs a lot slower than previous versions. Software, like MS Photo (viewer) takes quite a bit longer to open or close.

At least I haven't had any crashes per sa, though after coming out of hibernation  this morning I got a milky way-like photo that wouldn't show a sign in and after waiting some time, and then clicking and tapping I shut it down manually and restarted it. The photo came back but also the sign in.  Just a little glitch I hope.

And thanks again for sticking with me through this whole mess.