There are several ways of backup and restore/recovery in Windows 7:
-
"Backup and Restore" under Control
Panel\System and Security. -
System Restore.
-
the recovery partition on my laptop
I was wondering what are the differences
between them?
Thanks!
Specifically,
- What kind of data does each of them back up and recover,
installed Windows 7 OS files and software/driver files, the
partition where the OS files lie, the whole drive, …? Suppose the recovery partition is for the whole drive (including all
partitions on the drive). Are
"Backup and Restore* and "System
Restore" also for the whole drive,
or some partition, or just installed
OS and software? - Is the "image" created in "Backup
and Restore" same concept as the
"restore point" in "System
Restore"? - Where are the backup files stored for the first two ways? Where are the "image" created in
"Backup and Restore" stored? Same
question for the "restore point" in
"System Restore"? What is stored in
the System Volume Information folder
in each partition? - Does each of them backup
automatically or manually? - Are there other ways?
Best Answer
Differences:
Backup and Restore
This is the central point to administer a number of different backup tools.
Allows you to set up backup schedules for file level backup/restore (if you loose a few files).
Allows you to take one off system images (a snapshot of your computer in its current state, so a restore will put everything back to how it was when you took the image).
Launch System Restore. (see below)
Create a Windows recovery disk, this is a special disk that allows you to restore the above image created at number 2, perform system restores offline and a number of other recovery tools (imagine clicking repair the pc at Windows setup - it basically gives you those tools).
System Restore
Going in to
System Restore
allows two things:Manually create a restore point.
Go back to a restore point.
If you don't manually create a point, they are typically auto created whenever anything is installed, updated, or system updates - along with a few other things. If you never do a restore through this method, it can speed up various activities to disable it. Take a look to configure this in
System Properties
>System Protection
.This process basically leaves your documents alone whilst "rolling back" most program actions, this includes changes to the registry, or file actions.
The recovery partition
The recovery partition (or manufacturer provided recovery disk) is different on every make (and possibly model) of laptop. It usually always contains the ability to wipe everything on your machine and reset the machine to factory settings - as if it was brand new. It also usually has a few tools to aid recovery, but this can vary greatly.
I hope this helps!
Edit - Updated for questions in comments...
(1) So the recovery partition is for the whole drive (including all partitions on the drive). Are "Backup and Restore* and "System Restore" also for the whole drive, or some partition, or just installed OS and software?
(2) Is the "image" created in "Backup and Restore" same concept as the "restore point" in "System Restore"?
(3) Where are the "image" created in "Backup and Restore" stored? Same question for the "restore point" in "System Restore"? What is stored in the System Volume Information folder in each partition?