Long story short. What is the best free software to: 1) Make a USB Windows 8.1 boot 'disk' AND 2) Make a 'downloadable' copy (image, clone, etch.) of my current c: drive with all the current apps and settings? Looking for a good all in one solution if it exists. Thanx in Advance.
Why not use Microsoft's? Make Windows 8.1 / 8 Bootable USB Flash Drive The Easy Way [How To Tutorial] | Redmond Pie
I did. Is there also a way to also make an exact copy of the C Drive that is downloadable/transferable/executable?
For that, there are any number of "Drive Cloning" softwares out there. I unfortunately do not know what the leader in that segment is anymore. Just note, most of this software will require purchasing if you want one that actually works. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Macrium have a free for personal use version that I've had good luck with when I've had trouble with others including the popular Clonezilla. Macrium Reflect Free
Used Macrium reflect for years. Cheap and it does the job. Just pay attention to the drive (disk 1, disk 2 ect.). I have several and wiped the wrong one once. You can clone the C drive via USB and plug it in and it works.
If you go USB, don't cheap out on the drive, go 3.1, get a Magnum or similar with super read/write speeds, otherwise you will hate life. I clone with Acronis, I used to use Ghost.