Windows 7: Backing Up Questions

Hello,

Have a few Backing-Up question, please:

I did a "full" backup yesterday to an external HD, which I guess is termed creating-an-Image.
Went well, but took many, many hours.

If I decide to do a backup,e.g., every week, I sure don't want to create another new image with all the hours it takes.



The option of "Let Windows Decide" seems to be what I want.

But I just cannot find, anywhere, the criteria that Windows uses.

If I do select this option, is it that Windows 7 will backup Only what has changed since the last backup ? Or,...?

If no, what do I do to only backup the changes over the week ?

And,
a. I tried to see the Folders and what was done be looking at the backed up Image, but it doesn't seem to show them; only an option for Restoring.
How can I see the Folders, etc. that it has backed up and made the Image for ?

b. And, do Image these backups also backup all my Thunderbird e-mail Folders and msgs ?

Thanks,
Bob

Um Bob might I make a suggestion? There is an easier, more flexible, more reliable way to backup called Acronis true image home.

Nice eay GUI, feature rich, bulletproof.

Or check into Macrium Reflect as it is free. I personally use both Acronis True Image Home and Macrium. But Acronis is not a free application...unless you have a seagate or WD hard drive and use their version of Acronis.

1.) Mount the vhd in disk managmenet - you can then use it like a regular drive - see or copy back any files/folders.

2.) Yes an image will include everything that was originally on the partition you backed up - that includes tbird stuff.


You will find a 3rd party app. more flexible - and easier to manage.


The new Paragon freebie is the only 3rd party app. to align correctly and automatically for you.

Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery (Advanced) Free Edition - Overview

There are 2 types of "backups".
(1) Backup of personal file/folders which are stored away in zip files.
(2) Images are snapshots of a whole disk partition enabling complete recovery of windows, programs and data when things go bad. (stored away as a vhd file)

When you "Let Windows Decide" it does both.
I think it's best to "choose yourself" using the default folders windows suggests and untick the create an image box. This way you do just a file /folder backup.

Images are important and I think best done by themselves when you decide. In the "Backup & Restore" screen simply select "Create a system Image" over on the left and choose a partition where you want it located (gen. an ext HDD!)

Hmm, another "victim" of the messy Windows7 imaging. I am so glad that I use Macrium which is straight forward, easy, fast and reliable. But if you like challenges, Windows 7 imaging is for you.

My vote is for whs, whenever he decides to stand for presidency! Macrium-reflect is the king of them all and for reasons whs has nicely outlined!

Regards,
Sreedhav

But Presidency is not in the cards. They would have to change the constitution first.

So, you are a citizen of the Fatherland! A bit off-topic,I'll tell you, there are many fans of the German football in India, uppermost are my two sons and self!

For example, Oliver Kahn, the legendary goal keeper! Simply, the Germans are perfectionists!

Regards,
Sreedhav
PS : I should have amended it to chanceller!

Yeah, you can say that. Perfectionists can sometimes be a pain too. In Germany there is a rule for everything - can't make a step without following a rule. I understand that Japan is similar.