Anything in AppData that needs to be backed up?

[Vincenzo]

I notice that one of my backup programs has selected all the folders in my User folder to be backed up. Among those selected is the hidden folder AppData, containing 8800 files. Since there are files in there that seem to change daily, it slows down the daily backup. I am wondering if there is really anything in there that I need to back up.

I've read that some older versions of Outlook and sometimes Windows Live Mail put data in there, but in the past I've restored computers and I've never copied anything from AppData. It does not seem to be the stored emails, perhaps it is confuguration data? So my question is, can I remove AppData from my backup job and what might I be losing?

Thanks

 

[IIllytch321]

If my memory serves me correct I remember seeing my Minecraft data in there and some other games' saved data in there. Maybe you can pick particular files inside of AppData instead of all of them?

 

[Ztruker]

I would back them all up. Why take a chance by picking and choosing and then finding out you guessed wrong.

For instance, Firefox keeps it's user profiles there and many other programs keep important data there as well. It doesn't seen like a good risk to me.

 

[zigzag3143]

You would lose a lot of configuration files. You could do a weekly full backup, and a daily incremental (unless you are using the built in backup & restore)

 

[whs]

It depends what you want to backup.

If you want to backup your user data, then the AppData files are irrelevant.

But if you want to backup the system (e.g. with an image), AppData is part of it. Backing up AppData alone (e.g. with the user data) is not going to help a lot when your system goes belly-up. You need a complete system image.

 

[Vincenzo]

Thanks for all the responses.

On this particular computer that belongs to a friend, it is a Carbonite backup of user data only. The only time I can foresee the backup would be used would be to restore an accidently deleted file, or to restore all the docs in case of a hard drive failure.

 

[zigzag3143]

Carbonite's flaw is that you cant do a restore if you cant connect (ie A complete HD fail)

You can use it safely as an additional place to back (ie one locally on another hd) and one on carbonite.

 

[bigmck]

Backing up only the Data Files is like backing up half you computer. Why not do the whole thing and backup your OS and Programs as well? If a HD goes out, you can reimange the whole thing in a short time and your are good to go. With only the Data Files backed up you have to reinstall Windows and you lose the configurations. You have to pay for Carbonite. Try using the free Macrium Reflect http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx A lot of folks here swear by it.

 

[Vincenzo]

Yes I agree about imaging. But this friend does not want to spring for an external drive, and while partitioning the hard drive is an option, her setup is so simple that restoring it would not be that big of a deal.

Zigzag, in the case of a hard drive failure, I assume you would just need to install Carbonite on the new hard drive or new computer, log in to your existing account, and then restore.

 

[zigzag3143]

Yes I agree about imaging. But this friend does not want to spring for an external drive, and while partitioning the hard drive is an option, her setup is so simple that restoring it would not be that big of a deal.

Zigzag, in the case of a hard drive failure, I assume you would just need to install Carbonite on the new hard drive or new computer, log in to your existing account, and then restore.

If carbonite has a boot disk yes, otherwise no.

 

[Vincenzo]

I mean that I expect you would re install Windows, then install Carbonite, then restore files.

 

[zigzag3143]

I mean that I expect you would re install Windows, then install Carbonite, then restore files.

Yep but even then Your new system would have different HD, different drivers, different installed updates, etc.

 

[gregrocker]

While it might be a good idea to back up hidden AppData in case you need to go hunting some important saved games, etc. I would not reimport AppData folder itself because it is a corruption path into a clean reinstall. Best to start over with fresh settings on a new install.

Likewise I would not use a backup program for files because it can fail. It's much easier to drag your User profile or active User folders to external. Then after install open each User folder, from Organize tab Select All, drag the group into the corresponding User folder on lefthan Explorer bar - waiting for it to expand and confirm the location before releasing.

 

[Ztruker]

If carbonite has a boot disk yes, otherwise no.

Not true, no boot disk required that I can see. Install Carbonite then start restoring your data.

Why would a boot disc be needed?

Vincenzo, your friend is spending $50 a year for Carbonite. For not much more than that an external hard drive could be purchased then using Macrium Reflect Free, good image backups can be done.

 

[bigmck]

If carbonite has a boot disk yes, otherwise no.

Not true, no boot disk required that I can see. Install Carbonite then start restoring your data.

Why would a boot disc be needed?

Vincenzo, your friend is spending $50 a year for Carbonite. For not much more than that an external hard drive could be purchased then using Macrium Reflect Free, good image backups can be done.

If his OS is corrupted, his backed up Data on Carbonite is going to be of little use.

 

[Ztruker]

Vincenzo said:

I mean that I expect you would re install Windows, then install Carbonite, then restore files.

So no boot disc is required,

 

[bigmck]

For several years, I paid $60 a year to backup online. I then wised up and spent a one time $60 charge for a HD to put my backups on and used Free Macrium. No more yearly backup fee.

 

[Vincenzo]

Before I installed Carbonite for her, I went through with her all her choices for backup. She decided she would rather pay the $5/month than have to deal with the external hard drive options.

 

[gregrocker]

I'd find an old HD or buy one and install it for her, set up Windows backup to save updated image and User folders to it monthly: Backup User and System Files

She won't even see it or have to deal with it, it's faster being SATA, invisible.

 

[Vincenzo]

Yes, I agree. And I like being able to see my backed up data.