How to move windows 7 backups to a new drive and then restore them.

[Matthew1133]

I have +50 users that use windows backup and restore. The backups are stored on a network share drive. Currently the network share is almost full so I am attempting to move the backups to a new hard drive. The files transfer over without issue and I can see them when I navigate to the drive. But when I try using backup and restore the system can't find the files. I have tried to restore the file locally on the target system but no change. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Make sure the new backup drive has the same drive letter and path to the backup files as the old one had.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey, Matthew!

What is the model of your external drive?
Did you use any back-up software or did you copy/paste the backup manually?
If your HDD is a WD product and you've used SmartWare software for backup, I'd suggest to look for a folder called smartware.swstor. It is supposed to contain your backups.
If you have used any other backup software program, you should install it on your new drive to access the files.
However, what Phillip suggested is also an option to get access to your data.

Hope this helps.

 

[Matthew1133]

Hey SuperSoph_WD,

Question/suggestion: What is the model of your external Drive:
Answer: The hard drive model is Seagate Barracuda 3tb Model: st3000DM001.
Question/suggestion: Did you use any back-up software or did you copy/paste the backup manually?
Answer: I did a copy and paste. I made sure all hidden folders were set to show. All the files appear on the new hard drive but when I try to load one of the backups through backup/restore on windows they don't appear.
Question/suggestion: What kind of backup software did you use:
Answer: I used windows 7 backup and restore.
Question/suggestion: Make sure the new backup drive has the same drive letter and path to the backup files as the old one had.
Answer: I tried changeing the drive letter to the same as the backup but no success.

So, any other suggestions.

Also if your suggestion is try a different backup software. Please suggest one that can be pushed and set through Windows GPO if possible. Thanks for every ones help.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hi again, Matthew!

I found this article that might help you: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/restore-files-backup#1TC=windows-7
Another thing I can suggest is to use Acronis software for backup: http://www.acronis.com/en-us/business/backup/
Windows backup and restore usually is not as flexible as other image/backup softwares and it also has some limitations in function.
Here's a thread that you might find useful as well: http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/174206-configure-windows-7-backups-in-gpo-cmd-ps1

I hope this helps you.
Good luck!

 

[Matthew1133]

Here is the situation. I have about 75 users that are setup to do a backup from windows 7 backup and restore to a network drive. Currently the drive the clients are saving too is almost full. I would like to move the old backups from the current drive they are on to a new drive. But everytime I try to restore the backups the system doesn't see the files. Here is a list of solutions I have done:
1: Tried copy past through gui. FAILED. The files copy overed but when I try to access them with windows backup and restore the file don't show up.
2: Tried cloning the drive with AOMEI Backupper. FAILED. Again the files copy over but can't be accessed.
3: Tried moving the files locally. FAILED.
4: Tried right clicking and selecting restore from this point. FAILED. Backup and Restore program launches but doesn't see any of the backups.
5: Tried using ShadowCopy. FAILED. Files copied over but still wouldn't launch.

Does anyone have any other ideas?