Backup Files in Windows 8

How to Create or Set Up Windows Backup to Back Up Files in Windows 8

information   Information
This tutorial will help show you how to use or setup Windows Backup to back up files with the option to include a system image, and to have an automatic scheduled backup or not in Windows 8.

If you upgraded to Windows 8 from a previous version of Windows (ex: Vista or Windows 7) and had scheduled backups set up in Backup and Restore, Windows will continue to use your backup schedule. If you used Backup and Restore in a previous version of Windows, you can still restore files from those backups.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to create or setup a Windows Backup.

Note   Note
New backups are saved in this format:

drive letter:\computer name\Backup Set YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS
For example: If your computer name is Brink-PC, your backup location is on hard drive (network or local) D: , and you backed up on August 29th 2012 at 1:53:41 PM (it will use 24 hour time), then your backup would be located in the folder below. You will need to right click on BRINK-PC (computer name), and click/tap on Open to be able to see the Backup Set YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS folder.​
D:\BRINK-PC\Backup Set 2012-08-29 135341


To help maximize your disk space, Windows Backup will only do a new full backup of all files in your selected folders the first time it runs, and then only does an incremental backup of files that are new or have been changed since the last scheduled backup was made.

Each new full differential backup is created in a set known as a backup period labeled with date ranges as the Backup Set YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS folder(s) in the computer name (ex: BRINK-PC) folder. This is when you setup a backup for the first time (step 3 below), or create a new full backup.

Incremental backups are the Backup Files YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS folder(s) created in the Backup Set YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS folder when you click/tap on Back up now (step 5 below) for the existing backup you setup. Each Backup Files YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS folder contains Backup files #.zip folders that contain your actual backed up files for that date and time.

Windows Backup logs are stored in the .evtx file below. It will open in Event Viewer when double clicked/tapped on.

C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Microsoft-Windows-Backup.evtx

warning   Warning

  • You can choose to turn on File History to back up your libraries, contacts, favorites, and desktop, but you can't use both File History and backup schedule features at the same time.
  • Windows Backup will not back up program files (files that define themselves as part of a program in the registry when the program is installed).
  • Windows Backup will not back up files stored on hard disks that are formatted using the FAT file system. The HDD or SSD must be formatted as NTFS.
  • Windows Backup will not back up files that are in the Recycle Bin.
  • Windows Backup will not back up temporary files on drives smaller than 1 GB.





Here's How:

Note   Note
In Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, the Windows 7 File Recovery (aka: Windows Backup) feature in this tutorial is no longer available.

If you like, you could use File History instead of Windows Backup, and a custom refresh image instead of System Image. You could also use a 3rd party program like Macrium Reflect or AOMEI Backupper instead.




1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Windows 7 File Recovery icon.

2. Do step 3, 4, or 5 below depending on what you would like to do.

3. To Set Up Windows Backup for the First Time
NOTE: This step is only available if this is the first time you are running Windows Backup, or after resetting Windows Backup.
A) Under Backup, click/tap on the Set up backup button, click/tap on Yes if prompted by UAC, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)​
Set-up_backup.jpg

4. To Make Changes to Existing Windows Backup Setup
NOTE: This step is if you would like to make changes to where to save the backup, what folders you want to be included in the backup, and/or to the backup schedule.
A) Under Backup, click/tap on the Change settings link, click/tap on Yes if prompted by UAC, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)​
Change_settings.jpg

5. To Create a New Incremental Backup of Existing Windows Backup Setup
A) Under Backup, click/tap on the Back up now button, click/tap on Yes if prompted by UAC, and go to step 15 below. (see screenshot below)​
Back_up_now.jpg

6. Select where you want to save the backup to, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)
NOTE: If you wanted to save the backup to a network location instead, then click/tap on the Save on a network button. Only the Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise editions can backup to a network location.
Setup-2A.jpgSetup-2B.jpg

7. Select (dot) what you want to backup. (see screenshot below)
A) If you select Let Windows choose, then go to step 10.​
B) If you select Let me choose, then continue on to step 8.​
Setup-3.jpg

8. Select (check) the folders that you want to be included in this backup. (see screenshot below)
Setup-4.jpg

9. Check or uncheck the Include a System Image of Drives...... box for if you wish to also include creating a separate system image or not while creating this backup, then click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

Note   Note
If a system image was created through Windows Backup on an automatic schedule (step 10-11 below) with the Include a System Image of Drives box checked below instead of separately, you can set Windows to retain as many system images as it has space for on the backup disk or to only keep the most recent system image. If you're saving your system images in a network location, you can only keep the most current system image for each computer.

By default, Windows automatically saves as many system images as it has space for without taking up more than 30 percent of available space on the backup disk. Once the disk starts running out of room, Windows will automatically delete older system images to make room for the new system image.

Tip   Tip
You can change the maximum space used for system images on the drive letter you are saving the Windows Backup to by changing the maximum space used by System Protection for the same drive letter. This is the same setting.

You do not have to have System Protection turned on for the drive letter, but do need to adjust the maximum space to what you like.

The size of a system image can be quite large since it will include all system drives in the image by default plus any drives you have included. If you want to keep multiple system images, be sure to increase the max size accordingly.


Setup-5.jpg

10. Click/tap on the Change schedule link. (see screenshot below)
Setup-6A.jpg

11. Set the backup schedule to how often you want, then click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You can choose to turn on File History to back up your libraries, contacts, favorites, and desktop, but you can't use both features (File History and backup schedule) at the same time.

Note   Note

  • If you do not want to have a new incremental backup created for this backup setup automatically on a schedule, then uncheck the Run backup on a schedule box.
  • Scheduled backups are incremental backups that are added as Backup Files YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS folders in the current Backup Set YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS folder.


Setup-7.jpg

12. Review your backup settings to make sure they are correct, and click/tap on the Save settings and run backup (step 3, 5, or 14) or Save settings and exit (step 13) button when you are ready to create the backup. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If they are not correct, then click/tap on the back arrow button (top left corner) to go back to correct them.
Setup-6B.jpg

13. If you used step 4 above to Change settings and used the same backup location, then go to step 2 or 16 instead of continuing on to step 15 below.

14. If you used step 4 above to Change settings and used a different backup location, then continue on to step 15 below.

15. Windows Backup will now create the backup showing you it's progress. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you would like to see more details of the backup in progress, then click/tap on the View Details button, and click/tap on Yes (UAC).
Setup-8.jpg


16. When finished, you can close Windows 7 File Recovery if you like. (see screenshot below step 4 or 5)




That's it,
Shawn


 

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This does not seem to apply to "Windows 8 Release Preview".
Any way to make a System Image now ?
 

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Brink ....

Thanks for your time and the tutorial
===========================
Can you run win 8 backup and image and use the computer too?

In other words if a scheduled (starts running) or planned backup is running ....should I stop using the computer?

=================
BTW;I did get an error...no big deal ( You can safely ignore this error message)
Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Users\UpdatusUser.Win8mike\Searches. Error The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))

So...I use the custom option and skip/exclude option

resolution

You can safely ignore this error message.

However, you can also use one of the following methods to eliminate this error message during future backup operations:
  • Create the missing LocalLow, Contacts, and Searches folders that are listed in the error message.
  • Exclude the folders from the files to back up in the Backup settings, and then include those folders in their original location. To exclude the folders in the additional locations and to include those folders in the original location, follow these steps:
    1. In Control Panel, open Backup and Restore.
    2. In the Backup section, click Change settings.
    3. In the Set up backup dialog box, click Next.
    4. In the What do you want to back up dialog box, click Let me choose, and then click Next.
    5. Expand Data Files, expand <your user name> Libraries, expand Additional Locations, and then click to clear the AppData folder, Contacts, and Searchescheck boxes.
    6. Expand Computer, expand the item for your system drive (for example, expand Local Disk (C), expand Users, expand <your user name>, and then click to select the AppData, Contacts, and Searches check boxes if they exist.
    7. Click Next, and then click Save settings and exit.
    8. In Backup and Restore, click Back up now to perform a new backup. The backup operation should complete without errors.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    MS Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit with WMC
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
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    Intel Core i5 650 @ 3.20GHz X4
    Motherboard
    H57M01
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 550TI Superclocked
    Screen Resolution
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    PSU
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    Keyboard
    wireless
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    wireless
    Internet Speed
    60Mbps tested @ 68.92Mbps/5.87Mbpsbps
Hello Abseh,

Yes, you can continue to use the computer as usual while it's backing up. You just wouldn't want to restart or shut down the computer while it's backing up. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hello Abseh,

Yes, you can continue to use the computer as usual while it's backing up. You just wouldn't want to restart or shut down the computer while it's backing up. :)

Thanks...this website is the oasis for new Win 8 end-user

I noticed the thumbs up for your rep...I hope others use it too
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    MS Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit with WMC
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 650 @ 3.20GHz X4
    Motherboard
    H57M01
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 550TI Superclocked
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 ...1T each
    PSU
    750 Corsair
    Keyboard
    wireless
    Mouse
    wireless
    Internet Speed
    60Mbps tested @ 68.92Mbps/5.87Mbpsbps
You're welcome. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
How do I delete the backup task...I can delete the backup but not the task itself but I cant find any button to delete it. It is always there in Control Panel / Windows 7 File Recovery
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Intel Core2 Quad Q8400 2.66GHz
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    Intel
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    4GB
    Hard Drives
    ( WD Black 1TB ) x 2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Intel Core2 Quad Q8400 2.66GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel
    Memory
    4GB
    Hard Drives
    ( WD Black 1TB ) x 2
You're most welcome. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I am kinda confused. This doesn't work for Windows 8.1? If not, then what is my best route to do a backup on a 8.1 OS? I am trying to attempt to backup all my data and then install 8.1 Pro instead of just the standard 8.1. Any info is always appreciated!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
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    PC/Desktop
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    Hewlett-Packard
    CPU
    AMD A8-5500
Hello TechyMom,

Depending on what type of data it is, you could do a manual copy and paste to backup and restore it.

Otherwise, you use a 3rd party backup program like Macrium Reflect, Acronis, etc...

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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