BleepingComputer.com: Vista Backup

How much space should a backup take?

I started by putting my backup on DVD, but after using 8 DVDs, I quit. So then I obtained a 40GB hard drive, reformatted it and used it for backup. After about 4 hours, it was getting close to the end and then abruptly quit and said there wasn't enough space. Ok, yes I have used 142 GB of my 500 GB hard drive, but will the backup take 142GB? Doesn't it compress it?

Is there a way I can decide what file types or files get backed up and what doesn't?

This post has been edited by Robynsleo: 23 May 2009 - 12:41 PM

Greetings .

You might have a look at this MS Technet article. It explains how the different types of Vista backups work, how to change its settings and how to control its size .

Hi,

it is recommended that you backup not via optical disk. Try using external hardisk. There are backup programs out there. Maybe you can give it a try.

That's true if you're backing up large amounts of data, but a third party tool shouldn't be needed as Vista's built in back up tool will allow you to back up to a hard disk or external drive if you wanted to.

Thank you for the article. It helped me understand how it backs things up, but I'm concerned with my failed backup due to lack of space. There are some applications and such that I don't care to have backed up. Is there a way to exclude those?

Unfortunately if you're using the complete PC backup option, no there isn't. However, if you're only doing a file back up you can pick what types of files to save.