Windows 7: Personal files missing from backup

DavidGiul · 27 Jul 2012

I backed up using an external drive prior to resetting HP desktop to factory settings.
When I tried to restore the files I couldn't find them in any of the libraries. Where did they go? I did reinstall programs like Microsoft Office 2003. I did look at the folders in the backup, ie Documents, Pictures & Music. They were all empty. I used the backup through the control panel.

How do I find them & put them back in the right place? Running Windows 7 64 bit
Home Premium Edition.
Thank you

whs · 27 Jul 2012

How is your backup file called?

DavidGiul · 27 Jul 2012

Back up is called: G

avid-PC\Backup Set 2012=06-30 111304

Brink · 27 Jul 2012

Hello David,

You could double check using the tutorial below to manually see if the files are actually in your Backup Set folder.

Backup - Manually Extract Files from in Vista & Windows 7

Hope this helps,
Shawn

DavidGiul · 27 Jul 2012

Hi Shawn,

Thank you for the response. I went through 19 backup sets. Still could not find any files that I am looking for. These are mainly word docs I created in Microsoft Office.

Brink · 27 Jul 2012

David,

When you created the backup, are you sure that you included the folders that the files were saved in? Everything is not included by default.

Backup User and System Files - Delete Backups

DavidGiul · 27 Jul 2012

Shawn, no I'm not sure. I followed the prompts when setting up the Windows backup. I assumed all folders were being backed up.

whs · 27 Jul 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by DavidGiul

Back up is called: G

avid-PC\Backup Set 2012=06-30 111304

Thanks for the answer. I thought you might have made an image. But that is not an image file. Too bad.

DavidGiul · 27 Jul 2012

Ah, I do see a system image (D) created on 7-12-2012. Does that help? Also I re read the backup settings. Using the "Recommended settings" it does say that personal files & folders are included. As that I believe I chose that setting initially, I'm a bit at a loss as to why they don't appear to be there?

Brink · 27 Jul 2012

Well, if you have a system image as well, then you could use the tutorial below to manually open it to see if the files may be in it. I hope so.

System Image - Extract Files Using Disk Management

Windows 7: Personal files missing from backup

Personal files missing from backup problems?