How to properly delete Windows 7 backup System Image

[ThumperSD]

Hi there. I have a system image on my external HDD made by W7 Backup & Restore utility on my old computer. Now I am using a new machine and would like to delete my old system's system image but do not know how to properly do so.

Since I have not ran a backup yet on my new machine, there is not option for "manage space" in the backup & restore utility

 

[Kari]

Delete the folder WindowsImageBackup, it deletes all earlier images. When you then create the first image on your new computer, this folder is re-created.

Kari

 

[ThumperSD]

Manually delete it? Is there a better way?

 

[Kari]

Manually delete it? Is there a better way?

Now you lost me. How else could you delete these old images, if not manually?

 

[theog]

Can always format the external HD, & loose all data on the drive.

 

[Krispy1]

u can do what kari said, or if it was put as a partition u can use a partition manager of sorts like gparted. or just reformat the hd all together but make sure u choose the right format

 

[Greg S]

Manually delete it? Is there a better way?

Now you lost me. How else could you delete these old images, if not manually?

Lol, this is classic!

 

[ThumperSD]

Manually delete it? Is there a better way?

Now you lost me. How else could you delete these old images, if not manually?

So you're saying go to the external HDD, click on the WindowsImageBackup folder and click delete? I'd like a better way to do this because it might leave residual files behind. Kind of like deleting a folder in Program files manually without uninstalling it.

You get my point now? Isnt there an option where you can make Windows properly delete it for you?

I really don't want to format it

 

[Kari]

Hi there. I have a system image on my external HDD made by W7 Backup & Restore utility on my old computer. Now I am using a new machine and would like to delete my old system's system image but do not know how to properly do so.

Since I have not ran a backup yet on my new machine, there is not option for "manage space" in the backup & restore utility

Delete the folder WindowsImageBackup, it deletes all earlier images. When you then create the first image on your new computer, this folder is re-created.

Kari

Manually delete it? Is there a better way?

Now you lost me. How else could you delete these old images, if not manually?

So you're saying go to the external HDD, click on the WindowsImageBackup folder and click delete? I'd like a better way to do this because it might leave residual files behind. Kind of like deleting a folder in Program files manually without uninstalling it.

You get my point now? Isnt there an option where you can make Windows properly delete it for you?

I really don't want to format it

You lost me even more, now. It's all gone when you delete the folder. Opposite to what you say, it's everything but the same than deleting a program folder. Backup image is not a program, it is not installed, there's nothing left when you delete it.

How can this be so difficult?

I repeat my question: HOW ELSE COULD YOU DELETE A FOLDER OR FILE FROM YOUR HD, IF NOT MANUALLY?

Please let me know if you find a solution you like more than the valid solution I've given to you. I am very keen to know it...

Kari

 

[CarlTR6]

Manually delete it? Is there a better way?

Now you lost me. How else could you delete these old images, if not manually?

So you're saying go to the external HDD, click on the WindowsImageBackup folder and click delete? I'd like a better way to do this because it might leave residual files behind. Kind of like deleting a folder in Program files manually without uninstalling it.

You get my point now? Isnt there an option where you can make Windows properly delete it for you?

I really don't want to format it

I do understand what you are asking. This is not like dealing with installed programs. You are correct; deleting a file in Programs files does not uninstall the program. However, image backups are not installed. They are the files created by an installed program - just like Word creates a document file. When you delete a file or the whole folder, the files are gone, period. There is no residual leftovers. Follow the advice to delete the whole folder and you will be good to go.

 

[whs]

Are we chasing a red herring? As was said, an image is a file. Right click > Delete > it's gone. There is no better way. I delete images all the time that way because I make an image each day and also do a lot of experimental imaging. Just trust the guys.

 

[ThumperSD]

Great..

I know it's not an installed program but I have manually deleted backups before which left me residual files. Some member on here told me not do delete it manually. I don't know how my question has been so hard to understand for some. Good to know that I can just manually delete it.

by the way.. is MediaID.bin part of the image backup as well? It's not in the Windowsimagebackup folder but it is in its root folder. If so I'll delete it as well. I hate all of these residual files. Some times I have no idea how it got there.

 

[whs]

You may want to have a look at this too: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/628-backup-user-system-files-delete-backups.html

 

[ThumperSD]

^ the problem with that is that I'm now using a new computer with a new install of Windows 7 so it no longer recognizes the old image backup from my old machine

 

[whs]

^ the problem with that is that I'm now using a new computer with a new install of Windows 7 so it no longer recognizes the old image backup from my old machine

Well in that case it really does not matter. You have nothing to loose. And if you miss a small file, so what.

 

[Kari]

Great..

I know it's not an installed program but I have manually deleted backups before which left me residual files. Some member on here told me not do delete it manually. I don't know how my question has been so hard to understand for some. Good to know that I can just manually delete it.

by the way.. is MediaID.bin part of the image backup as well? It's not in the Windowsimagebackup folder but it is in its root folder. If so I'll delete it as well. I hate all of these residual files. Some times I have no idea how it got there.

Your question was not hard to understand for "some", as you say. It seems you have difficulties to understand the answer. The only possible way to delete an old system image, created on another computer or older install, is to mark it and press delete key, or right click it and choose delete from context menu.

I told it to you two times, and you still didn't get it, so I would like to say it's you who got problems with understanding, rather than me (or "some", as you called me).

MediaID.bin is the file Backup and Restore needs, to be able to restore the image or a backup. Check the date and time it was created; if they match with the image, it's safe to delete it, too.

Kari Some

 

[gregrocker]

Hi Thumper -

It's just a file, not a program. Delete it like a file. That's it.

 

[ThumperSD]

Great..

I know it's not an installed program but I have manually deleted backups before which left me residual files. Some member on here told me not do delete it manually. I don't know how my question has been so hard to understand for some. Good to know that I can just manually delete it.

by the way.. is MediaID.bin part of the image backup as well? It's not in the Windowsimagebackup folder but it is in its root folder. If so I'll delete it as well. I hate all of these residual files. Some times I have no idea how it got there.

Your question was not hard to understand for "some", as you say. It seems you have difficulties to understand the answer. The only possible way to delete an old system image, created on another computer or older install, is to mark it and press delete key, or right click it and choose delete from context menu.

I told it to you two times, and you still didn't get it, so I would like to say it's you who got problems with understanding, rather than me (or "some", as you called me).

MediaID.bin is the file Backup and Restore needs, to be able to restore the image or a backup. Check the date and time it was created; if they match with the image, it's safe to delete it, too.

Kari Some

I understood you both times clearly. I don't know how or why you would think I'm misunderstanding you lol. I was only confused about you being confused. I asked if there is a proper way to avoid any complications. I'm being precautious because I would hate and i mean HATE creating any future complications. It's a pain the ass and waste of time to format drives and restoring everything.

Anyways I deleted everything a couple days ago. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[rsp1990]

Well I simply Shift Deleted that Image and got only 10 gb space freed instead of 35-38 GBs.. :-(

 

[yuenyeeyong]

ThumperSD , i fully understand your situation , because i having same situation with you

Kari, i did what you said , just delete from my drive, but it still remain 13gb , i did empty my recycle bin, but still lost my 13gb, what the solution ?