single file recovery

I have been reading about Win 7 and although i was told it has an imaging program, it reads as though the system restore has only been enhance
Is there a true imaging program apart from system restore in which you can retrieve a single file?

 

My two concerns are disaster recovery and single file recovery.
I do have Acronis but do not like it b/c I have low level skills and need some rudimentary program.
If Win 7 had an imaging program that was straight forward I would use it.
The trouble is I have read a lot and it does not seem as though Win 7 has such an imaging program. I read about archiving and backing up but not imaging.
Most of the reading has to do with system restore.
I look forward to any information you have that points to an imaging program in Win 7.
I would use Macrium if necessary as I have recovered my laptop with it twice and it is easy.
The downside is that you cannot retrieve a single file if you compress so a back up takes twice as long.
As I am in the process of lining up a new pc I want to get my facts straight.
Thanx for your help.

 

I think you will find this page helpful peter. W7 does do a full image, but you cannot restore individual files from it as you can with Acronis - you can only restore the full image. However you can restore individual files from a separate file backup.

I tried it but was totally underwhelmed. You should take time to get to understand your Acronis program, as it is miles better than W7 backup.

 

As I read about Win 7, it seems to me you can restore a single file. It also appears to be imaging not just archiving.
Am I reading something wrong?

 

This is from the link I gave you -

Windows Backup provides you with the ability to create a system image, which is an exact image of a drive. A system image includes Windows and your system settings, programs, and files. You can use a system image to restore the contents of your computer if your hard drive or computer ever stops working. When you restore your computer from a system image, it is a complete restoration; you can't choose individual items to restore, and all of your current programs, system settings, and files are replaced. Although this type of backup includes your personal files, we recommend that you back up your files regularly using Windows Backup so that you can restore individual files and folders as needed. When you set up scheduled file backup, you can choose whether you want to include a system image. This system image only includes the drives required for Windows to run. You can manually create a system image if you want to include additional data drives.

 

>>Sorry about the quick reply I wanted to edit as I was asked which Acronis I have.
It is Acronis True Image Home 2010 build 6.053.
Macrium is my choice for the low level user altho you can't compress and retrieve a single file. You have to backup w/o compressing. That is the free version which I run on the laptop. The desktop has Acronis.
If I paid I would get Macrium.

 

>>Could you explain separate file backup?

 

The things that rule out Windows Backup in my book are that you cannot restore individual files from an image, and that there is no bootable rescue disk that would enable you to restore a file backup either. You need to get your comp working again before you can restore file backups.

Frankly, imo it's pathetic and should not even be considered as a backup solution.

 

Windows Backup provides two different backup methods - a full system image which can only be restored in full, and file backup which allows you to choose which files and folders to backup. As I've said above, if your comp won't start you have no means of restoring files from a file backup. It's unbelievable but true.

 

>>The rescue disc is vital and b/c Win 7 does not have one I would not consider it either.
Is a separate file backup similar to Norton's backup which holds your files or archives them in case you need them?
I think Win 7 has two features from what I am reading; A-a full system image unable to retrieve single files and B-a separate backup of files which does enable you to recover single files.
It has no rescue disc which renders it useless in case of disaster.

 

peter, like Halo I'm a long time user of Acronis, and although even that has its faults it is without doubt one of the most capable and adaptable backup programs around. It seems its user interface has put you off, but if you are willing to confont it again we will do our best to get you going with it.

Macrium is good too, but Acronis is the better.

p.s. You should download the latest build of Acronis before starting to use it. As long as you have registered on the website all later builds are free.

 

Hi Peterr,

this may be helpful as well...

http://www.pctools.com/file-recover/

Techsent

 

Hello
I am not looking to recover a file now but thank you for the referral.
I have used both Macrium and Acronis to locate and recover a single file and have done a system recovery with Macrium but not with Acronis.
I think what I am saying, in a nutshell, is that the ease of a program is commensurate with the abilities of the user. Keeping that in mind, Acronis can do everything but fly, for low level users like myself it can be confusing. Right now I am using it as simply as I can but finding out issues each time I use it. Example, last week I noticed when you perform a system backup, unless you specify 'full' it is incremental, and not obvious unless you are scheduling. You can't know this intuitively.
So, I do a one click backup each week, validate it then unplug the cable(safely) and backup the other pc with Macrium and validate it. I have a1T WD and a 2T WD so I guess I have enough room. I keep two backups.
I have walked through scheduling but I prefer this for now.
All the mounting etc was very confusing and I found I had no reason to get into it. At this point I can recover a single file and recover from disaster and that was my goal. I have the rescue disk.
I am grateful for your offers to help and will avail myself of them stating with a question.
Will downloading the latest build affect the backups I have already created?
Regards

 

No, definitely not, they are safe and recoverable. A tip peterr, no need to mount an image in Acronis. You can simply open the backup file by clicking on it in Windows Explorer and you can copy files from it just as if it was a regular folder.

 

>>I will download the latest build I assume by going to the Acronis site.
I will also retrieve a file as you directed.
If I need to recover the system, I will insert the rescue disc after setting boot order then clicking on recover and follow the rpompts.
I do appreciate the help along the way - thank you.

 

Here's another page of info about file recovery in Win 7 that you may find interesting. Click the Show All tab at the top.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Previous-versions-of-files-frequently-asked-questions

 

I have read and digested the referral.
I'll beback for help when the need arises and thank you again.