Delete single files from Backup?

[dagzag]

I'm using WIN 7 backup. I know I can delete a whole backup folder, but is there a way to selectively delete single files?

Than ks!

 

[Kari]

Hello dagzag, welcome to the Seven Forums.

I doubt if you can delete single files from a backup. Theoretically I think there's a way to delete single files from a system image by mounting the image vhd as a second HD to a virtual machine, then deleting the files. I have never tried; though I have often extracted single files from a system image I have never deleted anything in it. Would it then later be possible to restore a modified system image?

Could it also be possible to add files to a system image vhd? Interesting idea, I might play with it later...

Kari

 

[Disk4mat]

I've tried deleting files from one zip and the file could no longer be read by Windows Backup (unzip, remove, re-zip). The only option I see is the 'Manage Space' where you can remove sets.

 

[dagzag]

oh boy I'm screwed

 

[gregrocker]

I also don't think you can delete single files from the special backup folders where they are read, however you can set up the Backup in the first place so it only saves the exact files and folders you want, then schedule it, plug in your external, set it and forget it. Nice.

Don't forget to add the system image backups as this is the real gem of Win7, making reinstalls a thing of the past with Windows for the first time.

 

[lgutai]

How do I delete file(s) from the Windows 7 Backup Set?

My problem closely related to the questions/comments above. I emphasize that I would like to delete/remove a data file from the file backup set and not from the system image set! This action wouldn't compromize the data restore (could not restore the deleted file, of course).

BitDefender 2010 Antivirus found an infected file in my Windows 7 data backup set. BD AV 'said' it couldn't delete that file because it wasn't run from an administrator account. (I am checking this issue with BitDefender technical support.)

My question for this forum: How do I 'manually' delete/remove this file from my backup set? I can navigate to this file but I do not see any way to delete it. Would appreciate any help.

Regards, Laci.
​

 

[gregrocker]

Try running Bitdefender as Administrator or in Safe Mode: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11841-run-administrator.html

I would also run Malwarebytes: http://www.malwarebytes.org/

A bootable CD scan will bypass all need for Admin rights: http://www.techmixer.com/free-bootable-antivirus-rescue-cds-download-list/

Let us know how that works.

 

[whs]

oh boy I'm screwed

Why is that. What seems to be the big problem. Maybe there is another workaround.

 

[lgutai]

Hi gregrocker, I run BitDefender as administrator (right clicked on the exe file and chose 'Run as administrator'. When it showed the infected file and asked for action, I selected 'delete' - and it did delete it! Thankyou very much for the good help, Laszlo.

 

[gregrocker]

I'd install, Update and Run Malwarebytes as Admin monthly.

Also install MS Security Essentials or Avast 5 to provide real-time protection with Win7 FIrewall kept auto-Updated.

These will provide good, nearly invisible protection.

 

[lgutai]

Thanks for the advice and will follow it. In the meanwhile, I run BitDefender again with administrative privileges (roght click and select 'Run as administrator' from the context menu) - it found the virus again but now it could delete it. My original question still stands: Since BitDefender could go into the (file) backup set, why can't I? Thanks again, Laci.

 

[gregrocker]

If it's an image backup you can mount it in Disk mgmt and it becomes a virtual drive you can browse, edit and scan with AV.

File backups may need the backup program to access the files. Have you tried browsing in? I don't use these for this reason - I just want the User folders I select backed up which I can do easier with drag and drop to external.

 

[lgutai]

Thanks for the info on how to brows the image backup. I have both: The image, and the file backup. I am talking about the file backup (that I can brows, and restore file by file, of course). My question was whether I can delete a file from the file backup. (Not from the "WindowsImageBackup" folder.) I had the infected file in the file backup. BitDefender eventually could delete that infected file (it is not in that file backup set anymore) when I run the program as administrator (from the context menu). So, If BitDefender can delete a particular filed from the file backup, why can't we?. Regards and thanks, Laci.

 

[mjf]

I use both Windows imaging and file/folder backup. Extracting information is fine. With Windows imaging, image folder renaming and directory moves are fine. Apart from that I would only modify a file/folder backup (*.zips) and images (*.vhds) via the backup program itself.
Possible options:
(1) I can't see what harm there is in just leaving it "locked away" in a backup set.
(2) Create a new backup set.
(3) If it's your current backup set you could try creating a dummy file with the same name and see if it gets overwritten.

 

[lgutai]

mjf,

As I mentioned in my previous postings, I have already deleted the infected file with BitDefender by chosing the "Run as administrator" from the context menu. So, the infection problem is solved. I am still the testing phase with my new computer and new (for me) Windows 7.

It appears to me that deleteing file(s) from the file/folder backup (*.zips) via the Windows Backup Facility is not possible. (This was just simply a curiosity from my part.) Your answer, however, gave me a new information: You used the term "locked away". I assume that this means that a virus can't "escape" from the backup set (as long as it is not restored, of course). Am I right?

Thanks for the help (I am quite new to computer building and Windows 7).

Thanks,

Laci.

 

[mjf]

mjf,

As I mentioned in my previous postings, I have already deleted the infected file with BitDefender by chosing the "Run as administrator" from the context menu. So, the infection problem is solved. I am still the testing phase with my new computer and new (for me) Windows 7.

It appears to me that deleteing file(s) from the file/folder backup (*.zips) via the Windows Backup Facility is not possible. (This was just simply a curiosity from my part.) Your answer, however, gave me a new information: You used the term "locked away". I assume that this means that a virus can't "escape" from the backup set (as long as it is not restored, of course). Am I right?

Thanks for the help (I am quite new to computer building and Windows 7).

Thanks,

Laci.

It is definitely an assumption on my part. I can't think of a mechanism for it to do damage when in a zipped form.
It would be interesting to to get some feedback from a security expert.

It would also be interesting to find out if the delete action of BitDefender compromised the backup set.

 

[lgutai]

I will check on this and will report back.