Location of Windows 7 Backup Images

[elmo2006]

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...

 

[zigzag3143]

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

 

[elmo2006]

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.

 

[mjf]

???
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.

 

[correct]

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

 

[karlsnooks]

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.

 

[karlsnooks]

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.

 

[elmo2006]

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,

 

[karlsnooks]

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