Windows 7 Backup?

[Boomyal]

I am having trouble understanding this backup thing. I am backing up to a WD MyBook external hard drive. Apparently it backs up to a folder with the name of the computer. When I click on the folder all that comes up is a box that says three things. 1-restore my files from this backup. 2-restore files for all users on this computer. 3-manage space used by this backup.

Nowhere can I examine the contents of this backup, ie, files and folders, etc The last time I messed with backups I was using a tape drive. I seem to recall that I could go into a backup and see those files and folders.

If I click on the 'manage space' option, it opens a box that lets me delete previous backup periods by date. The current backup period is not listed there?? This does not give me confidence that there even is a 'current' one.

Why can't I actually see what is backed up. Are the files compressed? I do know that Windows appends new or changed data within backups of a given period range as opposed to backing up a whole new set every time.

Also I cannot find where what is being backed up, is determined or declared. If I should happen to restore a backup to a new computer, how will the backed up material be displayed or deposited on the new harddrive???

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Windows 7 Backup?

I do a couple things when doing a backup.

With a new computer with a new OS and all my apps installed, I create an image of the hard drive so I can restore it exactly as it is at that state. It would be compressed. There are many programs that will do this.
Disk Imaging Software Review 2014 | Best Disk Cloning Software | Hard Drive Cloning Software - TopTenREVIEWS

I use Acronis.

After that, I use a program like Cobian Backup that is free that gives me the option of backing up compressed or non compressed on another drive. I use the non compressed version. I leave my computer on so it schedules the back up at 3:00AM or you can do it manually. I have it so it backs up to an internal drive and a network drive that is a RAID and I have this Raid box hidden in my house in case of break in. Only problem with this scheme is I still can lose data if my house burns down so I have put hard drives in my safe deposit box with backups. I don't do this often enough though. I really need to get a fireproof safe to put these in.

This program only updates the files that have changed or have been added. It does not remove files that have been deleted however.

 

[generator12]

Re: Windows 7 Backup?

I don't quite get this. Are you guys backing up data folders/files, or applications? Data is drag and drop, so I presume you're doing more than that.

Bruce, you're making an image, so I understand that you're essentially recreating your hard drive on the external one.

Is that what you're trying to do Boomya?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Windows 7 Backup?

I don't quite get this. Are you guys backing up data folders/files, or applications? Data is drag and drop, so I presume you're doing more than that.

Bruce, you're making an image, so I understand that you're essentially recreating your hard drive on the external one.

Is that what you're trying to do Boomya?

I am simply using the Win 7 backup feature to back up data and wondering why I cannot see that data in the backup directory of my external harddrive.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Windows 7 Backup?

Bruce, you're making an image, so I understand that you're essentially recreating your hard drive on the external one.

I am doing an image so that if my hard drive dies, I can recreate it avoiding hours of work downloading theOS. I use the other Cobian software to backup all my user folders/file on a regular basis. The image is only done once.

I won't use Windows 7 backup for the very issue that Boomyal describes...pain in the butt to see individual files.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Windows 7 Backup?

If you want to actually see the files in the back up, you need to use something other than the windows back up system to do your backups. I use windows back up and have for a number of years now, but I have faith in the system and have never had a problem with restoring a drive.

I use windows back up for my personal computer, we use a server back up system for the wife's business that images the server on another server 3 times a day, so it can be restored almost instantly if there is a crash.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Windows 7 Backup?

Windows 7 does make it hard to find the files.....ifin you have a computer name........click the start button,on left pane you will see your name on top click it{user name** should be as addmin.....if you don't see your files in that window,use the search in that window,type the file your looking for .....they usually come up as you type.windows tries to read your mind lol's,,,alot harder than XP......when you spot the file you want,just off click then click explore
When you make your backup in Win 7 it stays on Win 7 driveC unless you direct it to somewhere else

 

[colbyt]

Re: Windows 7 Backup?

I am having trouble understanding this backup thing.

The smart drive just creates one large compressed file of the backup material. You can't look at the contents.

If you want to do the old fashioned way, you need to format the smart drive and remove the smart drive software from your computer. After that you will only be able to do manual backups but you will be able to see the individual files.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Windows 7 Backup?

Great answers everyone, thanks! I stand edewkated!

 

[dolluper]

Re: Windows 7 Backup?

Your lucky it's win 7 your taking ......stay far away from win 8 nightmares compared to 7 HEADS UP BUDDY

 

[oldandintheway]

Re: Windows 7 Backup?

Your lucky it's win 7 your taking ......stay far away from win 8 nightmares compared to 7 HEADS UP BUDDY

With Window 8 and 8.1 things get worse. You and make a full system backup, then put it on external media, but they you add hardware and software and the O/S knows that you have a backup and will not let you delete it or make another backup.

Relatively, Windows 7 is great.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Windows 7 Backup?

With Window 8 and 8.1 things get worse. You and make a full system backup, then put it on external media, but they you add hardware and software and the O/S knows that you have a backup and will not let you delete it or make another backup.

Relatively, Windows 7 is great.

Which is one of the reasons, I will only run 8 on a laptop, where I normally don't change hardware, I won't run on a desktop at all, due to the fact, I am always changing stuff on my desktops, sometimes daily.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Windows 7 Backup?

I use a program called SyncBack Free. I have it set to periodically synchronize my data to a networked hard drive. I have it installed on both my desktop and laptop machines, so I have three copies of all my data files. Works great and the price is right.

 

[matt167]

Re: Windows 7 Backup?

Yep. Syncback is what I use