Windows 7 Backup Questions
Hi folks, I've been using Windows 7 Backup for a while, and generally speaking I like it.
Recently I realized the space used by the WindowsBackupImage folder was around 200 GB, so I deleted all but the monthly backups, which freed up 170 GB. Unfortunately the space used by Windows Backup remained the same. Is there any way to shrink this image?
Also, how can one get access to view the contents of the WindowsBackupImage folder? It's so annoying to get "access denied" to anything when my account is already in the Administrator group. IMO, if Microsoft wants to keep dangerous, ignorant users away from system files then the default group for their accounts should be Power Users, or something with restricted access.
Many thanks in advance for any responses,
Chris
Recently I realized the space used by the WindowsBackupImage folder was around 200 GB, so I deleted all but the monthly backups, which freed up 170 GB. Unfortunately the space used by Windows Backup remained the same. Is there any way to shrink this image?
Also, how can one get access to view the contents of the WindowsBackupImage folder? It's so annoying to get "access denied" to anything when my account is already in the Administrator group. IMO, if Microsoft wants to keep dangerous, ignorant users away from system files then the default group for their accounts should be Power Users, or something with restricted access.
Many thanks in advance for any responses,
Chris
ASKER
OK, thanks. But I was wondering if there's a way to shrink the image to reclaim the unused space? I know that with Microsoft's ESE database files, for example, it is not possible. An empty database with a bunch of white space just has to be blown away and recreated, which, if you think about it, is kind of lame.
I'm not sure how the Windows Backup takes the image internally, but I'm relatively certain that it creates a new image every time, as selectively modifying the image would be too unreliable.
chriswight--Did you reboot after deleting the various backup files?
To get access to the Backup files, right click on one|Properties|Security tab. See what permissions are allowed for each category of user. Click Advanced. Pick your user category and click Change Permissions. Make appropriate changes. Apply. (This suggestion assumes you did not get a message when you first tried to open the file that sounded pretty ominous, but had a Continue button. Click Continue.)
To get access to the Backup files, right click on one|Properties|Security tab. See what permissions are allowed for each category of user. Click Advanced. Pick your user category and click Change Permissions. Make appropriate changes. Apply. (This suggestion assumes you did not get a message when you first tried to open the file that sounded pretty ominous, but had a Continue button. Click Continue.)
ASKER
J, alright I rebooted, and, well, the WindowsImageBackup folder is now 30 GB (which seems to accurately represent the size of the backup sets I kept). So, thanks for that!
However, in Backup & Restore, Manage Space, Space usage summary, the Data file backup is 13 GB, and the System Image is 77 GB. If I view the Properties of my data drive, where the backup is created, it shows 150 GB used, even though the total size of folders on that drive is around 60 GB.
Hmm. Is Windows Backup using this space, as the Space usage summary seems to suggest? If so, where is it? Is it possible to free up this space? Thanks.
However, in Backup & Restore, Manage Space, Space usage summary, the Data file backup is 13 GB, and the System Image is 77 GB. If I view the Properties of my data drive, where the backup is created, it shows 150 GB used, even though the total size of folders on that drive is around 60 GB.
Hmm. Is Windows Backup using this space, as the Space usage summary seems to suggest? If so, where is it? Is it possible to free up this space? Thanks.
chriswight--Open Start|Computer. Click on the drive involved. Do you show 150 GB used? Open (click on ) that drive. What do you see? Navigate to the Backup files. Can you access all the contents to equal 150GB? If so, can you delete that content if you do not want it?
If not, you have some hidden folders and/or files taking the space.
From Windows Explorer, click Organize|Folders and Search Options||View tab|check "Show hidden files, folders and drives)|Apply. Reboot. Start|Computer. Can you now access those files?
If not, you have some hidden folders and/or files taking the space.
From Windows Explorer, click Organize|Folders and Search Options||View tab|check "Show hidden files, folders and drives)|Apply. Reboot. Start|Computer. Can you now access those files?
ASKER
Hi J, yeah that was kind of my point, that there are obviously some hidden system files I'm not seeing. I've always had "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" enabled, and everything unhidden, since I upgraded to W7 months ago. I'll tinker around with it a bit more. In the meantime if you have any other suggestions it'd be greatly appreciated!
You can view the virtual drive in the WindowsImageBackup by using Gizmo central: http://www.kodyaz.com/tools/how-to-mount-vhd-file-virtual-disk-without-virtual-pc-vpc.aspx.
This will open a windows explorer window and show you exactly the drive that was backed up. The virtual drive backups are in folders by the date they were backed up.
This will open a windows explorer window and show you exactly the drive that was backed up. The virtual drive backups are in folders by the date they were backed up.
Here is a screenshot of one of my backups attached
Capture.jpg
Capture.jpg
chriswight--Go back to "From Windows Explorer, click Organize|Folders and Search Options||View tab|" but this time UNcheck "Hide protected operating system files". Apply
Can find the files taking up the space?
Can find the files taking up the space?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Please see the thread at the above link for answers to this question.
When you get "Access denied," you should also receive a prompt that allows you to edit the permissions to allow you access, if you so choose. Otherwise you can do it manually via Properties->Permissions.