Question about Backups in Win7

[t4akawolf]

Ok, I just switched from Win7 Ultimate 32Bit to Win7 Ultimate 64Bit a few days ago and I was about to restore files in C:\ from back ups I made in Win7x32 with Windows Backup Utility before I noticed something.

In Win7x64 there are two folders called 'Program Files', for 64 Bit programs, and 'Program Files (x86)', for 32/86Bit programs, in C:\

Whereas there's (obviously) only 'Program Files', for 32/86Bit programs, in C:\ in Win7x32.

So my question is, if I restore the backups, will the files in Win7x32's 'Program Files' be copied to Win7x64's 'Program Files' instead of 'Program Files (86)'?

If yes, can I change some setting anywhere to specify that 'Program Files' must be copied to 'Program Files (x86)'?

If I can't change any settings, and I go ahead with restoring, what's the worst that could happen? Also, what sort of effect will this have on the 'AppData' folder?

 

[mborner]

Windows 7's backup utility can't backup or restore programs. The program files folder is where your programs are stored. When restoring files from a backup, the program files folder is pretty much meaningless. If you select "restore files to their original location" they'll be restored to "my Documents" , "My Music", "My Pictures", or wherever the location was when they were backed up.

 

[t4akawolf]

Windows 7's backup utility can't backup or restore programs. The program files folder is where your programs are stored. When restoring files from a backup, the program files folder is pretty much meaningless. If you select "restore files to their original location" they'll be restored to "my Documents" , "My Music", "My Pictures", or wherever the location was when they were backed up.

Hmmmmmmm. Ok, can I exclude the 'Program Files' folder when restoring?

 

[mborner]

My recommendation would be to "Let Windows decide what to back up" In this case, Windows would back up everything on your hard drive that you would likely need in case of a HDD failure.** In essence, it backs up everything on your HDD except Windows, itself, and any installed programs that you installed aside from the Windows installation. If you want to back up the Windows installation and all your installed programs, just include a system image with your backup. When you let "Windows decide", it automatically creates a system image, along with your backup.

**Keep in mind, if you have personal data in folders located outside of the windows default folder hierarchy, they may not get backed up by letting Windows choose.

 

[t4akawolf]

My recommendation would be to "Let Windows decide what to back up" In this case, Windows would back up everything on your hard drive that you would likely need in case of a HDD failure.** In essence, it backs up everything on your HDD except Windows, itself, and any installed programs that you installed aside from the Windows installation. If you want to back up the Windows installation and all your installed programs, just include a system image with your backup. When you let "Windows decide", it automatically creates a system image, along with your backup.

**Keep in mind, if you have personal data located in folders outside of the windows default folder hierarchy, they may not get backed up by letting Windows choose.

OK, mborner, thanks for your help and the time you spared for me but, no offense, I don't think you exactly understood my problem :|

But anyway, I found the solution on my own...apparently, there's a thing called 'Restore Options' when you right click the Backup File...