WIN7 BKUP utility restores files & folders in both old & new locations

[huskertsunami]

WIN7 BKUP utility restores files & folders in both old & new locations

I recently experimented with the WIN7 BACKUP & RESTORE utility & did a full backup. Afterwards, I shuffled subdirectories around to different locations & then did an incremental backup. I did confirm that it was indeed an incremental & not a "new" backup data set. Restoring from the incremental backup results in subdirectories located in both old & new locations. It appears that the WIN7 utility restores everything whether moved or deleted. I was under the impression that the incremental backup would restore the files to the locations of the selected date chosen for the incremental backup.


Do I need to do a DIFFERENTIAL backup instead & if so does the WIN7 utility do this? As far as I can tell you cannot actually coerce the WIN7 utility into any one of the backup types. It is done so automatically by the utility depending on the changes done to the files that are backed up.

I got the following response below on another thread which I can appreciate why, but I am starting this thread since there could be other opinions & experiences on this.

As I said, if you go with incrementals you are looking for trouble. Make full images, that's safe. And use the free Macrium. That has proven since years to be the most reliable plus it has a lot of options and is fast. Yesterday I made a full system image (all partitions) of a new W8.1 installation in 4.4 minutes.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I

 

[richc46]

WHS is a respected member of this Forum and considered an expert with Macrium images. His statements are in full agreement with my own experience. In fact, Macrium has saved me from the need to reinstall on at least 3 occasions.

 

[huskertsunami]

WHS is a respected member of this Forum and considered an expert with Macrium images. His statements are in full agreement with my own experience. In fact, Macrium has saved me from the need to reinstall on at least 3 occasions.

I am not questioning WHS, but there may be others with different opinions or experience. If I decide to get a 2nd opinion on a doctor's recommendation for surgery there is nothing offensive or insulting in doing so. In fact, prudence essentially mandates seeking differing perspectives. That way I can then digest the information & make my own decision.

The fact of the matter is that I conducted an experiment that exhibits ODD behavior & someone probably already knows about this aside from WHS. That is the information I am trying to extract if at all possible.

I do appreciate your confirmation of WHS's opinion, but the question is still not answered. As an aside I experimented with AOMEI & it did recognize that I moved subdirectories & restored them to the locations which I specified prior to doing the INCREMENTAL backup. Why does the WIN7 utility not do this?

AOMEI was suggested by BRINK. It would be nice if he weighed in on this behavior of the WIN 7 utility & if it can be corrected.

 

[mjf]

Do I need to do a DIFFERENTIAL backup instead & if so does the WIN7 utility do this? As far as I can tell you cannot actually coerce the WIN7 utility into any one of the backup types. It is done so automatically by the utility depending on the changes done to the files that are backed up.

When using Windows 7 inbuilt system imaging (and I do) it will use shadow storage for a form of differential backup. My view is to make one of system images and rename older ones as described in the Brink tutorial. That is do not rely on shadow storage IMO.

When using Macrium (and I do) I would follow the advice given by WHS.

 

[huskertsunami]

Do I need to do a DIFFERENTIAL backup instead & if so does the WIN7 utility do this? As far as I can tell you cannot actually coerce the WIN7 utility into any one of the backup types. It is done so automatically by the utility depending on the changes done to the files that are backed up.

When using Windows 7 inbuilt system imaging (and I do) it will use shadow storage for a form of differential backup. My view is to make one of system images and rename older ones as described in the Brink tutorial. That is do not rely on shadow storage IMO.

When using Macrium (and I do) I would follow the advice given by WHS.

OK, but I am not talking about system images. I am talking about data backup. I did notice that even though I was doing the data drive backup there apparently was a SHADOW copy being made.

 

[mjf]

You appear to be talking about Windows file/folder backup (a bunch of zip files). I'm not surprised by what you describe. You get the old plus the moved files/folders. When Windows decides to make a new backup set I think you will only get the moved files/folders. I've never seen a description of the algorithm Windows uses to to decide to make a new backup set. Except after a system image restore a new backup set will be made. From a practical point of view does this matter?

 

[whs]

Although I do backup my separate data partition with Macrium, there are other options - especially sync programs like Allway Sync. I do however suggest that you first experiment with the sync program on some test data so that you know what it is doing.

I don't know where you keep your user data. I do suggest that you keep it in a separate partition/drive. It is not a good practice to keep it with the OS in the C partition.

 

[mjf]

I don't know where you keep your user data. I do suggest that you keep it in a separate partition/drive. It is not a good practice to keep it with the OS in the C partition.

Yes it would be next to pointless IMO. I didn't think Windows file/folder backup allowed this?
I'd go further and say don't keep system images or file/folder backups on the same physical drive as the OS. An external USB 3 is my choice but another internal drive is ok.