Backup User and System Files - Delete Backups

Information

This will show you how to delete either one or both the User file backup and System file backup in Windows 7.

NOTE

Backups are saved in this format: (backup location)\(computer name)\Backup Set (year-month-day) (time) For example, if your computer name is Computer, your backup location is on Hard Disk (network or local) D: , and you backed up on 9/7/2007 at 1:00:50 PM (It uses 24 hour time), then that backup would be located in D:\Computer\Backup Set 2007-09-07 130050 .

WARNING

In order to be able to delete User and System Backup Files, you would have had to create a User and System Files Backup first.

• How to Backup User and System Files in Windows 7
• How to Turn the Windows 7 Backup Files Schedule On or Off
• How to Reset the Backup Files Configuration in Windows 7
• How to Restore Backup User and System Files in Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable to Backup Data Files in Windows 7

1. Open the Control Panel (All Items View).

2. Click on the Backup and Restore icon.

3. Under Backup, click on the Manage Space link. (See screenshot below)

4. To Select a Backup Location -
NOTE: This is for where the User file backup is located at. If the backup location is already displayed, then go to step 5.

A) Under Backup location, click on the Browse link. (See screenshot below)

B) Navigate to the backup location and select it.

C) Continue to step 5.

5. Under User file backup, click on the View backups button. (Seescreenshot below step 4A)

6. Select the Backup Period that you want to delete, and click on the Delete button. (See screenshot below)

7. To Delete Only the User File Backup -

A) Click on the Delete button. (See screenshot below)

B) Click on the Close button. (See screenshot below)

C) Go to step 9.

8. To Delete the User File Backup and Create a New Backup -

A) Click on the Delete and run backup now button. (See screenshot below)

B) Click on the Close button. (See screenshot below)

C) You will now see this window. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you wish to stop the backup during this point, click on the Stop backup, Stop, and Close buttons.

D) Click on the Close button when the backup is complete. (See screenshot below)

9. Click on the Close button. (Seescreenshot below step 4A)

10. Close the Back and Restore window. (See screenshot below step 3)

NOTE

This option is for when you have the backup schedule turned on. You will have the option to let Windows 7 manage space used for backup, or keep only the latest system backup and minimize space used by backup.

1. Open the Control Panel (All Items View).

2. Click on the Backup and Restore icon.

3. Under Backup, click on the Manage Space link. (See screenshot below)

4. To Select a Backup Location -
NOTE: This is for where the System file backup is located at. If the backup location is already displayed, then go to step 5.

A) Under Backup location, click on the Browse link. (See screenshot below)

B) Navigate to the backup location and select it.

C) Continue to step 5.

5. Under System file backup, click on the Change settings button. (Seescreenshot below step 4A)

6. Select (dot) the option you want for a system file backup, and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

7. Click on the Delete button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You will only see this if you have selected the Keep only the latest system backup..... option in step 6.

8. Click on the Close button. (Seescreenshot below step 4A)

9. Close the Back and Restore window. (See screenshot below step 3)

NOTE

This option is for when you have the backup schedule turned off. You will have the option to retain only the most recent system file backup, or delete all system file backups on this computer.

1. Turn off the backup schedule.

2. Open the Control Panel (All Items View).

3. Click on the Backup and Restore icon.

4. Under Backup, click on the Manage Space link. (See screenshot below)

5. To Select a Backup Location -
NOTE: This is for where the System file backup is located at. If the backup location is already displayed, then go to step 6.

A) Under Backup location, click on the Browse link. (See screenshot below)

B) Navigate to the backup location and select it.

C) Continue to step 6.

6. Under System file backup, click on the Change settings button. (Seescreenshot below step 5A)

7. Select (dot) the option you want for a system file backup, and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

8. To Keep Only the Latest System File Backup -

A) Select (dot) Retain the most recent system file backup created on your date, and click on OK..

B) Click on the Delete button. (See screenshot below)

C) Go to step 10.

9. To Delete All System File Backups -

A) Select (dot) Delete all system file backups for this computer, and click on OK.

B) Click on the Delete button. (See screenshot below)

10. Click on the Close button. (Seescreenshot below step 4A)

11. Close the Back and Restore window. (See screenshot below step 3)