Backing Up Questions

[Robert11]

Hello,

Have a few Backing-Up question, please:

I did a "full" backup yesterday to an external HD, which I guess is termed creating-an-Image.
Went well, but took many, many hours.

If I decide to do a backup,e.g., every week, I sure don't want to create another new image with all the hours it takes.

The option of "Let Windows Decide" seems to be what I want.

But I just cannot find, anywhere, the criteria that Windows uses.

If I do select this option, is it that W7 will backup Only what has changed since the last backup ? Or,...?

If no, what do I do to only backup the changes over the week ?

And,
a. I tried to see the Folders and what was done be looking at the backed up Image, but it doesn't seem to show them; only an option for Restoring.
How can I see the Folders, etc. that it has backed up and made the Image for ?

b. And, do Image these backups also backup all my Thunderbird e-mail Folders and msgs ?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[zigzag3143]

Hello,

Have a few Backing-Up question, please:

I did a "full" backup yesterday to an external HD, which I guess is termed creating-an-Image.
Went well, but took many, many hours.

If I decide to do a backup,e.g., every week, I sure don't want to create another new image with all the hours it takes.

The option of "Let Windows Decide" seems to be what I want.

But I just cannot find, anywhere, the criteria that Windows uses.

If I do select this option, is it that W7 will backup Only what has changed since the last backup ? Or,...?

If no, what do I do to only backup the changes over the week ?

And,
a. I tried to see the Folders and what was done be looking at the backed up Image, but it doesn't seem to show them; only an option for Restoring.
How can I see the Folders, etc. that it has backed up and made the Image for ?

b. And, do Image these backups also backup all my Thunderbird e-mail Folders and msgs ?

Thanks,
Bob

Um Bob might I make a suggestion? There is an easier, more flexible, more reliable way to backup called Acronis true image home.

Nice eay GUI, feature rich, bulletproof.

 

[pparks1]

Or check into Macrium Reflect as it is free. I personally use both Acronis True Image Home and Macrium. But Acronis is not a free application...unless you have a seagate or WD hard drive and use their version of Acronis.

 

[SIW2]

1.) Mount the vhd in disk managmenet - you can then use it like a regular drive - see or copy back any files/folders.

2.) Yes an image will include everything that was originally on the partition you backed up - that includes tbird stuff.


You will find a 3rd party app. more flexible - and easier to manage.


The new Paragon freebie is the only 3rd party app. to align correctly and automatically for you.

Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery (Advanced) Free Edition - Overview

 

[mjf]

There are 2 types of "backups".
(1) Backup of personal file/folders which are stored away in zip files.
(2) Images are snapshots of a whole disk partition enabling complete recovery of windows, programs and data when things go bad. (stored away as a vhd file)

When you "Let Windows Decide" it does both.
I think it's best to "choose yourself" using the default folders windows suggests and untick the create an image box. This way you do just a file /folder backup.

Images are important and I think best done by themselves when you decide. In the "Backup & Restore" screen simply select "Create a system Image" over on the left and choose a partition where you want it located (gen. an ext HDD!)

 

[whs]

Hmm, another "victim" of the messy Windows7 imaging. I am so glad that I use Macrium which is straight forward, easy, fast and reliable. But if you like challenges, Windows 7 imaging is for you.

 

[sreedhav]

Hmm, another "victim" of the messy Windows7 imaging. I am so glad that I use Macrium which is straight forward, easy, fast and reliable. But if you like challenges, Windows 7 imaging is for you.

My vote is for whs, whenever he decides to stand for presidency! Macrium-reflect is the king of them all and for reasons whs has nicely outlined!

Regards,
Sreedhav

 

[whs]

Hmm, another "victim" of the messy Windows7 imaging. I am so glad that I use Macrium which is straight forward, easy, fast and reliable. But if you like challenges, Windows 7 imaging is for you.

My vote is for whs, whenever he decides to stand for presidency! Macrium-reflect is the king of them all and for reasons whs has nicely outlined!

Regards,
Sreedhav

But Presidency is not in the cards. They would have to change the constitution first.

 

[sreedhav]

So, you are a citizen of the Fatherland! A bit off-topic,I'll tell you, there are many fans of the German football in India, uppermost are my two sons and self!

For example, Oliver Kahn, the legendary goal keeper! Simply, the Germans are perfectionists!

Regards,
Sreedhav
PS : I should have amended it to chanceller!

 

[whs]

Yeah, you can say that. Perfectionists can sometimes be a pain too. In Germany there is a rule for everything - can't make a step without following a rule. I understand that Japan is similar.

 

[mjf]

Hmm, another "victim" of the messy Windows7 imaging. I am so glad that I use Macrium which is straight forward, easy, fast and reliable. But if you like challenges, Windows 7 imaging is for you.

I also find Macrium a good standby.
I'm waiting for the inbuilt windows imaging to fail but after 20+ reimages of my computer, including a new HDD, it never has caused the slightest problem! You know the other annoying thing it's so easy to use. It isn't fair that I can't complain about it as well - maybe tomorrow.

OP,
Everyone has their favorite imaging program. Choose one that suites you.
But I can't stress too much that there are TWO basic forms of backup serving different purposes:
Imaging and file/folder backup.

I've seen much discussion of imaging and I don't think there is much more to add.
I've seen little discussion on the pros and cons of file/folder backup options.
The inbuilt windows version versus 3rd party offerings. Including data recovery from a faulty backup set.

 

[whs]

mjf, the file/folder backup is actually a "natural" for me. Since I have all user files in a seperate data partition, I just image that partition. In Vista, I had used the system's file backup a few times. But that was screwy too. Seems that anything backup/recovery that comes out of Redmond is problematic, to say the least. They must have corralled all the D performers in that development area.