Windows 7 Backup Utility making a bigger image then the HDD itself.

[DWreck]

Personally, even though everyone will disagree, I'd like not to use Macrium Reflect or another 3rd party utility. I (for now) want to use the default Windows Backup program. My issue here is the image I'm creating is actually bigger than the files it's copying. I'd like to know if it's copying a file multiple times, or taking files from other connected HDD's? That's all I can come up with. I've made it clear to Windows I only want my C drive, I even excluded the System Reserved (which is only 500MB) out to see if that was it. The HDD I use for backups I also have for big files that I don't need on my 512GB SSD. So it could be taking things from that but I can't really remove it since its only separated by a partition. Any ideas?

Thanks, DWreck.

 

[DavidE]

You could mount the backup image as a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) so you can see what is in the backup image.
This tutorial explains how to mount the image as a VHD:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/24771-system-image-extract-files-using-disk-management.html

Your specs show you have Win 7 Ultimate and Win 8 Enterprise, and a custom built desktop.
Is this a dual boot PC?
Is this a work PC, connected to a domain or corporate network?

It's my understanding that the built in Windows imaging utility will include all partitions it sees as "system" partitions in the backup image.
How did you exclude "System Reserved", and other "system" partitions?
I haven't used the Win 7 imaging utility in a many years because it included all OS (system) partitions on my multi-boot PCs, and I couldn't exclude partitions.
I use Acronis because I have more control over what is included, and the images are much smaller and faster.

 

[DWreck]

I work as an IT Specialist in HVAC. I use leftover Windows 7/8 keys for my PC's. So in this instance it is a PC as in Personal Computer.

My PC is dual boot, but each OS is kept on a different HDD. My PC case makes it excellent for hot swapping the HDD's so I just saved space by using 2 instead of 1.
I excluded "System Reserved" by using the option in Backup and Restore to not back it up. I took a screenshot of the setting and attached it, its the little text in the bottom left. To make sure it wasn't taking info from other HDD's I removed all but the HDD I'm backing up and the HDD I use as the backup. The HDD I use for backups though is just a partitioned part of my storage HDD so there is really another HDD connected still.

Update: I attached the VHD and explored it. I found that it is the same size as my HDD, only off by 1GB because of things that simply can't be backed up, and that everything is there and not duplicated. I did see why it's bigger. In the other Image I attached you'll see that this file is an extra 40GB. I can't really find out what that file does exactly, when I mounted my backup it wasn't from this file and the VHD looked fine so I can't see what it does. Any ideas on that?

 

[DavidE]

Sorry, your scenario is nothing I'm familiar with so I can't help.
A PC is a Personal Computer, but a "Home" PC is different than a "Work" PC in my experience.
I can and do anything to my own Home PCs.
I would never do anything to a Work PC without IT/management approval.
I don't know anything about using "leftover keys".

Can you post image(s) of what you see when creating a Win 7 System Backup Image?
The image you posted doesn't show me that info, but like I said I haven't used W7 Imaging in about 4 years.

I don't see the "Other" Image you said you attached.
I have no idea what this means:

In the other Image I attached you'll see that this file is an extra 40GB. I can't really find out what that file does exactly, when I mounted my backup it wasn't from this file and the VHD looked fine so I can't see what it does. Any ideas on that?

 

[DWreck]

For this case, it's my "Home" PC. But it could also affect my PC at work. If I used this program there which I don't because we have proprietary software for that.
"Leftover keys" as in VL keys purchased through the company. Basically no different than Home editions in this regard. I manage them, and distribute them as needed when an end user requires a new version of Windows.
Weird that they don't show up for you. I can see them in the post. I'll try using a different format for the screenshots and do it again. Let me know if you can see them now?

 

[DavidE]

Weird - I resized my settings so I can better show you what I see.
I see the "B" drive image, but guess I can't see your other image...
I use Palemoon browser, but seems I should see both of your images ...
When I insert images into SF, I upload many at one time.
Then I insert them one at a time, so they show up one after another...
My guess is you inserted "All" images, because the "B" image is pushed to the right, unless that "Include C" checkbox is your first image ...
Anyway, here is a screen print of what see - I only see the "B" drive:



If you and others see 2 Images and I don't, I guess that's a problem on my PC with Palemoon/settings ...

 

[DWreck]

The text on the left is the first image. When you asked how I excluded System Reserved I unchecked that box to do so. The B drive is the backup partition of my storage drive. C for (C)omputer On SSD, E for (E)xtension On Storage HDD Partition 1, and B for (B)ackup On Storage HDD Partition 2. This new screenshot I added to this reply is a view of what my backup partition looks like, all the files included in the backup. The first one "DWRECK-PC" is the 40GB file I spoke of. I can't figure out what it does, because when I mounted the VHD I used the "WindowsImageBackup" folder to access the backup, not the "DWRECK-PC" file.

 

[DavidE]

Sorry, I don't know...
Like I said I used Win 7 Backup Imaging ~4 years ago, and it didn't work well for me on home multi-boot PCs.
Maybe it has changed since then, I don't know.
Maybe someone else here that uses it can be more helpful.

I can understand why you wouldn't want to use a 3rd party Program in a Business environment.
If nothing else, 3rd party programs are often free for home users, but cost $ for work environments.

 

[DWreck]

Sorry, I don't know...
Like I said I used Win 7 Backup Imaging ~4 years ago, and it didn't work well for me on home multi-boot PCs.
Maybe it has changed since then, I don't know.
Maybe someone else here that uses it can be more helpful.

I can understand why you wouldn't want to use a 3rd party Program in a Business environment.
If nothing else, 3rd party programs are often free for home users, but cost $ for work environments.

Okay, well thank you for the support.