Windows 7 backup cycle

Hello all,

I would like to know if windows backup deletes old backups after a certain number of backups.

I have windows 7 backup scheduled to make a backup every day at a certain time, of user files, and also a selected the option to make a system image.

Does windows backup deletes old backups if the backup-media, in my case an external drive is full? Or does it backup a fixed number of times, and then overwrites the oldest backup?

I could use some light in the dark ;-)

Thanks in advance for helping me!

zx81

I found most of the answer in Windows Help and Support.

• Backups are created in sets known as backup periods. To help maximize your disk space, Windows Backup backs up all selected folders the first time it's run and then it only backs up files that are new or have been modified since the last backup was made. Periodically, Windows creates a new, full backup. Each full backup is known as a backup period. When you view your file backups, you see all of the backup periods labeled with date ranges. If you decide to delete file backups, you should always keep the most recent file backup.

- I would like to know after how many days a new full backup set is created?

• By default, Windows automatically saves as many system images as it has space for without taking up more than 30 percent of space on the backup disk. Once the disk starts running out of room, Windows deletes older system images. You can set Windows to retain as many system images as it has space for on the backup disk or to only keep the most recent system image. You should always keep the most recent system image. If you are saving your system image on a network location, you can only keep the most recent system image.

zx81

I found this link, that answered my questions for now.
The Storage Team at Microsoft - File Cabinet Blog : Protect your files and PC with Windows 7 Backup

I change the status of this thread solved.
zx81