Successful System backup

Hi All, I just successfully did my first system image using Windows Back up & Restore, using option 1 that's the "recommended" backup. I would also like to back up my data etc. as well, which I imagine is the second option of making a back up. Can I do a second back up on my external drive following the first back up, and is the system also backed up on the second option? Will 2 different type back ups following each other on my external drive confuse the schedule? This is my first back up with my new WIN7 64 bit Premium Home, so I'm a nooby at this. Thanks in advance for any help. :)

Where is the data you want to backup?

a) Within your user folders (my docs/music etc)

b) On another partition?

If 'a' then the recommended settings should already include the data. If 'b' then you will have to set up a custom backup (second option). This second option is for adding or removing items from the backup including any system image.

However, looking ahead you may want to think further about your backup strategy. About the amount of space you will need, the time the backups will take, and worse-case-scenario disaster recovery? Windows 7 BackUp is quite basic and pretty slow, and if you keep adding data to a lone partition it will likely take some hours to perform.

Overall the best solution is to have Windows 7 and your programs on C:, and your data on another partition (say) D:, and both will then be better protected.

Let us know the sizes of the drives involved and where you are/will be storing the data and I'm sure you'll get some more detailed help (if you require it).

For more info on keeping different versions of system images check out the 'notes' in this forum article...

Windows has two very different backup mechanisms in it's "Backup & Restore" capabilities.
1) file/folder backups - typically documents and general personal multimedia material.
2) System images which are complete "snapshots" of a disk partition. This includes OS, programs, data etc.
They use completely different backup programs.

Ultimately I believe it's best to take over complete manual control of the system imaging part. This involves deselecting the automatically create a system image box in the backup settings. Then use the "create a system image" button on the left of the backup screen to make images at appropriate times.

OakenG said:

Where is the data you want to backup?

a) Within your user folders (my docs/music etc)

b) On another partition?

If 'a' then the recommended settings should already include the data. If 'b' then you will have to set up a custom backup (second option). This second option is for adding or removing items from the backup including any system image.

However, looking ahead you may want to think further about your backup strategy. About the amount of space you will need, the time the backups will take, and worse-case-scenario disaster recovery? Windows 7 BackUp is quite basic and pretty slow, and if you keep adding data to a lone partition it will likely take some hours to perform.

Overall the best solution is to have Windows 7 and your programs on C:, and your data on another partition (say) D:, and both will then be better protected.

Let us know the sizes of the drives involved and where you are/will be storing the data and I'm sure you'll get some more detailed help (if you require it).

For more info on keeping different versions of system images check out the 'notes' in this forum article...

Thanks for your response. I have a 1.5TB C drive, and a 2TB external drive. However, after doing my first backup it only required 77GB in total. I just got this computer and my stuff from my old XP computer didn't amount to much. I agree that over time my new computer will accumulate much more being its able to do much more than the old computer.

mjf said:

Windows has two very different backup mechanisms in it's "Backup & Restore" capabilities.
1) file/folder backups - typically documents and general personal multimedia material.
2) System images which are complete "snapshots" of a disk partition. This includes OS, programs, data etc.
They use completely different backup programs.

Ultimately I believe it's best to take over complete manual control of the system imaging part. This involves deselecting the automatically create a system image box in the backup settings. Then use the "create a system image" button on the left of the backup screen to make images at appropriate times.

Thanks for the info. I don't like scheduled backups because I don't leave my computer on 24/7, and I'm liable to miss a scheduled backup, so I agree with your approach. I did the "recommended" backup because it was the first time I used the Backup and restore and wanted to see how it would go. Your instructions have helped me understand the procedure to manually back up.

Heyyou said:

Hi All, I just successfully did my first system image using Windows Back up & Restore, using option 1 that's the "recommended" backup. I would also like to back up my data etc. as well, which I imagine is the second option of making a back up. Can I do a second back up on my external drive following the first back up, and is the system also backed up on the second option? Will 2 different type back ups following each other on my external drive confuse the schedule? This is my first back up with my new WIN7 64 bit Premium Home, so I'm a nooby at this. Thanks in advance for any help. :)

Congratulations, When I try to do a system backup it fails all the time

Heyyou said:

Hi All, I just successfully did my first system image using Windows Back up & Restore, using option 1 that's the "recommended" backup. I would also like to back up my data etc. as well, which I imagine is the second option of making a back up. Can I do a second back up on my external drive following the first back up, and is the system also backed up on the second option? Will 2 different type back ups following each other on my external drive confuse the schedule? This is my first back up with my new WIN7 64 bit Premium Home, so I'm a nooby at this. Thanks in advance for any help. :)

Thats really good I've tried to use windows backup/restore, it was nothing but headaches.... Gave up on the windows based backup started useing EASEUS todo backup home 2.0 ..... It worked like a charm, lots of options.. Personly it bugs me to use third party backup, when windows backup/restore should work..

Kodiak420 said:

Heyyou said:

Hi All, I just successfully did my first system image using Windows Back up & Restore, using option 1 that's the "recommended" backup. I would also like to back up my data etc. as well, which I imagine is the second option of making a back up. Can I do a second back up on my external drive following the first back up, and is the system also backed up on the second option? Will 2 different type back ups following each other on my external drive confuse the schedule? This is my first back up with my new WIN7 64 bit Premium Home, so I'm a nooby at this. Thanks in advance for any help. :)

Thats really good I've tried to use windows backup/restore, it was nothing but headaches.... Gave up on the windows based backup started useing EASEUS todo backup home 2.0 ..... It worked like a charm, lots of options.. Personly it bugs me to use third party backup, when windows backup/restore should work..

I'm sorry that I can't help you two with your inability to make Win backup/restore work for you, as I am basically just blindly following the directions. The only thing that comes to mind is if you are logged on as the Administrator or not.

i need no help thanx... I back up useing third party products because win7 backup just has to many problems.. And i do follow instructions thanx for you advice that was unsilicited...

It's curious.
Some people have no end of trouble with Windows backup (file/folder + imaging).
Others have a dream run.

After assisting many people (or attempting to) I find there is no standout common cause.

Just use on of the many free or paid alternatives. Start by giving Macrium Reflect (free) a try for imaging. Macrium is highly regarded.