Why two backup files?

[DaveHG]

Ran a Win 7 backup (on an external hard disk) for the first time and find there are two images in separate folders. One is in a folder "WindowsImageBackup", is called "Backup" and holds 68GB; the other is in a folder called "Dave-PC", is called "Backup set" and holds 48GB. Why are there two backups? What happens at the next (automatic) backup that I've set to run each week? My hard disk won't hold twice that volume!

 

[bones1]

WindowsImageBackup is your drive image and Dave-PC is your data. You can change the backup parameters in the backup program, it can only keep the newest backup etc to save hdd space.

 

[mjf]

I think MS unintentionally confuse newcomers to Windows 7.
"Backup" involves two very different forms of backup.
1) Images [WindowsImageBackup] which is a snapshot of your whole operating system, programs, data - the lot. Replace the image and your whole PC goes back to the time the image was made. They are great!
2) File/folder backups which just backup your personal files and folders. No OS, installed programs etc. You may do this sort of (generally) incremental backup daily.

I untick the automatic create an image box in the backup setup. I choose to use the button on the left to create just an image when I want to.