Location of Windows 7 Backup Images


  1. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
       #1

    Location of Windows 7 Backup Images


    Hello...

    I am very curious as to where the Windows 7 Backup Utility stores the backup images. Currently I have all my Windows 7 Backups stored to an external HDD, however if I were to peruse the external HDD, all I can see are two files:

    The name of the computer in my case SPENCER-PC 0 bytes and MediaID.bin 588 bytes however Windows Explorer shows the HDD has over 650GB of used space.
    I have also changed the attributes for hidden/system files so that I can view to no avail.

    If I were to double click on SPENCER-PC, all it does is launch the Windows 7 Backup Utility. I've searched the inter-tubes with no luck and as such I hope that someone here can point me in the right direction.

    Much appreciated...
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #2

    elmo2006 said:
    Hello...

    I am very curious as to where the Windows 7 Backup Utility stores the backup images. Currently I have all my Windows 7 Backups stored to an external HDD, however if I were to peruse the external HDD, all I can see are two files:

    The name of the computer in my case SPENCER-PC 0 bytes and MediaID.bin 588 bytes however Windows Explorer shows the HDD has over 650GB of used space.
    I have also changed the attributes for hidden/system files so that I can view to no avail.

    If I were to double click on SPENCER-PC, all it does is launch the Windows 7 Backup Utility. I've searched the inter-tubes with no luck and as such I hope that someone here can point me in the right direction.

    Much appreciated...
    Windows can store its backups in system volume information. Since it is a locked folder that is not going to help you much.

    Are you trying to delete the files or what? why do you want to "see" them?

    Ken
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #3

    zigzag3143 said:
    elmo2006 said:
    Hello...

    I am very curious as to where the Windows 7 Backup Utility stores the backup images. Currently I have all my Windows 7 Backups stored to an external HDD, however if I were to peruse the external HDD, all I can see are two files:

    The name of the computer in my case SPENCER-PC 0 bytes and MediaID.bin 588 bytes however Windows Explorer shows the HDD has over 650GB of used space.
    I have also changed the attributes for hidden/system files so that I can view to no avail.

    If I were to double click on SPENCER-PC, all it does is launch the Windows 7 Backup Utility. I've searched the inter-tubes with no luck and as such I hope that someone here can point me in the right direction.

    Much appreciated...
    Windows can store its backups in system volume information. Since it is a locked folder that is not going to help you much.

    Are you trying to delete the files or what? why do you want to "see" them?

    Ken
    Would you happen to know exactly where? Curiousity has peaked my interest. I would like to know where and how if possible.

    Thanks for the response.
      My Computer


  4. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #4

    ???
    For Backups
    You go into Backup & restore > Restore my files
    then browse folders or files
    You can then copy a file from your backup if needed.

    For images
    Attach a vhd under Disk management. The vhd should look (via explorer) like the disk the image was taken from.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 11
    windows 7 64 bit
       #5

    elmo2006 said:
    Hello...

    I am very curious as to where the Windows 7 Backup Utility stores the backup images. Currently I have all my Windows 7 Backups stored to an external HDD, however if I were to peruse the external HDD, all I can see are two files:

    The name of the computer in my case SPENCER-PC 0 bytes and MediaID.bin 588 bytes however Windows Explorer shows the HDD has over 650GB of used space.
    I have also changed the attributes for hidden/system files so that I can view to no avail.

    If I were to double click on SPENCER-PC, all it does is launch the Windows 7 Backup Utility. I've searched the inter-tubes with no luck and as such I hope that someone here can point me in the right direction.

    Much appreciated...
    go to external harddrive, right click spencer-pc, and click open
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10,200
    MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
       #6

    elmo2006 said:
    Hello...

    I am very curious as to where the Windows 7 Backup Utility stores the backup images. Currently I have all my Windows 7 Backups stored to an external HDD, however if I were to peruse the external HDD, all I can see are two files:

    The name of the computer in my case SPENCER-PC 0 bytes and MediaID.bin 588 bytes however Windows Explorer shows the HDD has over 650GB of used space.
    I have also changed the attributes for hidden/system files so that I can view to no avail.

    If I were to double click on SPENCER-PC, all it does is launch the Windows 7 Backup Utility. I've searched the inter-tubes with no luck and as such I hope that someone here can point me in the right direction.

    Much appreciated...
    excellent question.
    Just keep expanded that Spencer-PC folder.
    You are looking for .VHD file
    That's if you did a system image baciup. In fact, if in your systemimage backup you backed up three drives, then you will find 3 .VHD drives.

    If you simply backed up files, for example your libraries, then you will find .ZIP files.

    the zip files can be unzipped.

    You can "attach" the .vhd files using DISK MANAGEMENT. Once a vhd is attached, then you can explore and extract any file/folder you would like. In fact, you could edit it.

    I don't have my external drive with me right now, but in about an hour I'll include a snapshot of the step to attach a vhd from the backup drive.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 10,200
    MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
       #7

    elmo,
    Here's a series of screen snapshots. On my Asus netbook I have two partitions-the 100 meg system reserved and a 76.67GB C partition.

    This shows the files on the backup drive, the vhd attached, and so forth.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Location of Windows 7 Backup Images-selectattachvhd.png   Location of Windows 7 Backup Images-browsetovhdfiles.png   Location of Windows 7 Backup Images-selectingthevhdforcdrive.png   Location of Windows 7 Backup Images-100megsystemresevedmuchsmaller.png   Location of Windows 7 Backup Images-confirmselection.png  

    Location of Windows 7 Backup Images-rtclkonnewdrivechooseopenorexplore.png   Location of Windows 7 Backup Images-exampleofdrillingtospecificfile.png   Location of Windows 7 Backup Images-rtclkchoosedetachvhd.png   Location of Windows 7 Backup Images-confirmdetach.png   Location of Windows 7 Backup Images-afterdetachment.png  

      My Computer


  8. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #8

    karlsnooks said:
    elmo2006 said:
    Hello...

    I am very curious as to where the Windows 7 Backup Utility stores the backup images. Currently I have all my Windows 7 Backups stored to an external HDD, however if I were to peruse the external HDD, all I can see are two files:

    The name of the computer in my case SPENCER-PC 0 bytes and MediaID.bin 588 bytes however Windows Explorer shows the HDD has over 650GB of used space.
    I have also changed the attributes for hidden/system files so that I can view to no avail.

    If I were to double click on SPENCER-PC, all it does is launch the Windows 7 Backup Utility. I've searched the inter-tubes with no luck and as such I hope that someone here can point me in the right direction.

    Much appreciated...
    excellent question.
    Just keep expanded that Spencer-PC folder.
    You are looking for .VHD file
    That's if you did a system image baciup. In fact, if in your systemimage backup you backed up three drives, then you will find 3 .VHD drives.

    If you simply backed up files, for example your libraries, then you will find .ZIP files.

    the zip files can be unzipped.

    You can "attach" the .vhd files using DISK MANAGEMENT. Once a vhd is attached, then you can explore and extract any file/folder you would like. In fact, you could edit it.

    I don't have my external drive with me right now, but in about an hour I'll include a snapshot of the step to attach a vhd from the backup drive.
    Awesome, followed your directions and *BANG* there they are. I never realized that the Spencer-PC icon was an actual folder, everytime I clicked open, the Windows 7 Backup utility would launch, I guess I was doing something wrong, thanks for the information.

    As for everyone else, I did not know that the system images were saved as VHD files. I currently use a third party utility for drive images, but this information will be very useful and beneficial for future knowledge.

    Thank you everyone for all your quick responses, simply awesome and proves I came to the right place for the right answers...

    Thank you,
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 10,200
    MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
       #9

    elmo,
    Your welcome and I'm glad that we could be of assistance. It's nice to "win one".
    Karl
      My Computer


 

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