Duplicated system image/backup

Roo Boy · 12 Mar 2013

Hi guys and gals,

I was looking through my secondary HDD (which is where i have my system image stored).

I noticed that i seem to have 2 large files of approx 180GB each on the drive.

One shows as WindowsImageBackup and the other shows as RODSWIN7 (which is that name of my computer)

What i want to know is why I have these 2 large files of what seems to be system images/back ups.

I have attached a pic as to how they display in my HDD:
http://i46.tinypic.com/35d690k.jpg

Can anyone please tell me why i have both of these? When i created a disk image the WindowsImageBackup Folder was created. I just dont know if i need the other one or not as its taking up a fair bit of room.

Thanks in advance

kado897 · 12 Mar 2013

Hi Roo Boy and welcome to Seven Forums.

The WindowsImageBackup folder is where your system images are. RODSWIN7 is where your File and Folder backups reside.

mjf · 12 Mar 2013

As Kado says.
They are really quite large. This is not disastrous but I would be looking at data which doesn't change much and backing it up separately.

Roo Boy · 12 Mar 2013

Hi guys,

Firstly thanks for the answers but just some clarification please.
Isnt the WindowsImageBackup folder an exact replica of my c drive including programs,files and folders?
If so do i need the RodsWin7 Folder??

Many thanks in advance

kado897 · 13 Mar 2013

Yes it is but it is more difficult to restore individual files from an image backup. In fact MS help says you can't but it is possible if you mount the VHD file in the folder as a drive. System Image - Extract Files Using Disk Management

Roo Boy · 14 Mar 2013

thanks kado. So is it safe to delete the Rodswin7 file seeing that i have the image back up done once a month?

kado897 · 14 Mar 2013

No. You need to delete the contents by going into the Manage Space link on the Backup and Restore dialogue as shown here...

Duplicated system image/backup-screenshot247_2013-03-14.png

It is probably best that you do not delete the folder itself as Backup may complain.

mjf · 14 Mar 2013

But to have file/folder backup sets (the zip files) at 180GB with Windows inbuilt backup is nuts to me. I'm not talking imaging!
Windows inbuilt file/folder backup is slow as a wet wick when it decides to make a new backup set. With that amount of data you should be exploring other options.

Roo Boy · 16 Mar 2013

Hi mjf,

I havent actually noticed it backing up to be honest. Never seen anything come up on the screen etc.
Its more the space on the drive that i want to free up. Ive already got an exact image of the drive so why do i need another copy of all the files etc?

mjf · 16 Mar 2013

The idea of file/folder backup for me rather than a full image is to save things that may change on a daily basis such as letters, spreadsheets, a photo edit etc. I'll often just drag & drop this stuff (eg. letters to the tax man). You are correct that images store all your data but for important documents I would still keep separate copies.