Windows 7: Copying a Windows Backup

I have a system Image Backup of my C drive. It is located on a USB portable drive. I want to rename this backup. If I do rename it and later need to use it will I have problems?

That is, I renamed the folder from WindowsImageBackup to WindowsImageBackup_2009_11_03. If I ever needed to use it to restore a file, I'm supposing I can just change it back to WindowsImageBackup and all will be well. But this is a supposition on my part. I would like to find out now if there are problems, rather than later.

I am a little concerned because Windows 7 seems to be picky about the MediaID file. I wonder, for example, if I mount the backup after giving the WindowsImageBackup the new date specific name, I say, I wonder if this is going to affect MediaID. My nightmare is to think I am set up in case of an emergency, only to find that something like this is not in place.

I feel your pain.

I would be reluctant to change any file names or do any fiddling. Just accept the defaults and make a Word file if you have to about the details of the backup to remind yourself.

I say this because I once semi-relied on Acronis and I had altered names and locations in what I thought would be an innocuous way.

When the crunch came and I wanted to restore the image, Acronis decided not to recognize the file. I was hosed.

Imaging is too spooky and shaky and fraught with issues to add any more fuel to the fire. My advice is to accept default names and default locations and hope it works--but NEVER depend on it.

I appreciate your candor. If you are unable to rename the file this effectively means you can only have one backup as Win 7 insists on giving the backup this name. If anyone else knows something we don't your input would be much appreciated.

I notice that Acronis TrueImage 2010 can import and convert Windows Backups to the native Acronis TIB format, and I tend to entrust my own backup archivage to TrueImage as opposed to Microsoft.

I can't point to the source, but I am reasonably sure I read that you could only do 1 backup with Home Premium and lower anyway--if you do another, it will automatically replace the earlier one.

If I am correct in my recollections, Professional and Ultimate don't have that limitation.

I stand to be corrected on that as I can't lay my hands on the source of that info--and I don't know what version of Windows 7 you are using.

I am using Home Premium, but I thought I read somewhere that you could simply change the name of the directory (to allow for a new backup) and then, if need be in the future, change it back.

My senses tell me that Windows 7 Backup and Restore is still so new that many of these issues have not been talked about in great detail yet.

Still, if there are any gurus here, any help would be appreciated.

I am using Home Premium. Right now, I have my system image on my computers hard drive (I am in the market for an external HD). I seem to be able to make as many copies as space allows, before the oldest one is deleted. I currently have 2 system image copies, about a dozen system restore points and one back up and restore on my drive z:/.

If it is of interest, the best information I have been able to find on this subject is located at the URL below:
Can you rename the backup image folder (WindowsImageBackup) without breaking them?