Solved How do I backup a hard disk that's mounted to a folder?

[vool]

I have mounted (mapped) a hard disk to an empty folder so it doesn't show up as a drive letter. This mounted folder is inside a folder that is being backed up by Windows 7 integrated Backup & Restore. But Backup & Restore simply ignores the mounted folder, even though it looks and behaves like a normal folder shortcut when I'm in the explorer. Also I cannot select the mounted folder when I set up a custom backup configuration.. it just doesn't show up.

And I see no alternative way to backup the hard disk because it doesn't have a drive letter assigned which I could select in Backup & Restore.

Do you have an idea how I could backup this hard disk when it's mounted to a folder?

Many thanks in advance,
Oliver

 

[not so gray matter]

You should be able to use a secondary backup software like this: Free backup software for Windows - GFI Backup Home Edition

 

[CommonTater]

I have mounted (mapped) a hard disk to an empty folder so it doesn't show up as a drive letter. This mounted folder is inside a folder that is being backed up by Windows 7 integrated Backup & Restore. But Backup & Restore simply ignores the mounted folder, even though it looks and behaves like a normal folder shortcut when I'm in the explorer. Also I cannot select the mounted folder when I set up a custom backup configuration.. it just doesn't show up.

And I see no alternative way to backup the hard disk because it doesn't have a drive letter assigned which I could select in Backup & Restore.

Do you have an idea how I could backup this hard disk when it's mounted to a folder?

Many thanks in advance,
Oliver

Well... the obvious suggestion is "Don't mount it as a folder"... but I doubt that's what you want to hear.

 

[not so gray matter]

Backup & Restore via Windows is good to use if you're trying to make a system image or trying to backup your main drive. However, if you're trying to backup data or a secondary partition, it's not the best utility to use. Copy & Paste works alright, and 3rd party backup utilities work even better. You should download a program that can backup hard drives and use that. However, you may have to connect to the hard drive directly.

 

[vool]

As I'm quite happy with Backup & Restore and don't want to go 3rd party, I did some new research and found out that I can mount the hard disk AND have it show a drive letter at the same time.

So I did that and hid the drive in the explorer via registry key: Hide Drives from Your Computer in Windows 7 or Vista - How-To Geek

Now I have my mounted folder and can select the drive for backup. I'm happy.

Thanks to you all for your advice.