Win 7: Windows Backup won't restore files under "C:\Program Files".


  1. javic
    Posts : 19
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       New #1

    Win 7: Windows Backup won't restore files under "C:\Program Files".


    (64-bit Windows 7 SP1, UAC enabled.)

    I have an application (Perforce) that keeps its data under it's folder in "C:\Program Files". I use Windows Backup to back up this data to an external HDD. Today for the first time, I need to restore this data to an earlier state, but try as I might, Windows Backup will not overwrite the current content with files from my backup. It doesn't report any errors; it just fails to restore the files.

    I've tried the following:

    1. Running Windows Backup from my user account and restoring normally (works fine for files in other locations).
    2. Running Windows Backup and clicking "Restore all users' files". Prompts for Admin password which I supply.
    3. Double clicking the backup on the external drive and selecting "Restore files for all users of this computer". Again, prompts for Admin password which I supply.
    4. Logging into my Administrator account and attempting to restore.

    If I restore the files to another location (not under "C:\Program Files") it works fine. Only when I try to restore directly to "C:\Program Files" does it fail silently. I guess I could restore to a different location and then manually copy back to the original location, but is that wise?

    I'm stumped. Any ideas?
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  3. RolandJS
    Posts : 2,775
    Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
       New #2

    From Windows 3.1 - to Windows 10, I only used Windows Backup once - as a test. I have no answer for Windows Backup.
    There are many 3rd party backup/restore programs, some free, some fee. I use Macrium Reflect and Image for Windows, which have been for some years now. MR and IfW both backs everything up just fine, and both restores everything just fine. Many in here will offer other alternatives, all of which do a fine job!
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  4. javic
    Posts : 19
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Yeah, for a long time I've thought maybe I should look at other backup software. But of course I put it off and now the backup I want to restore is in Windows Backup format.
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