Can I delete the WindowsImageBackup Folder?

[camxza2]

Hi everyone,

 

I recently created a system image of my PC on an external HDD. After much though I decided I want to delete the image because I can't physically access my files from the image, and want to do a regular backup. I can't seem to delete the image in control panel and it looks like the only option is to delete the WindowsImageBackup folder created on the external HDD. My question basically is if deleting that folder is safe?

 

Thanks

[NTDaws]

Well if you have anything important on it then I don't recommend deleting it.

[camxza2]

3 minutes ago, Being Delirious said:

Well if you have anything important on it then I don't recommend deleting it.

I have everything my main hard drive anyway and want to conduct just a regular backup on the external HDD. The external HDD just has the image file and nothing else.

[paddy-stone]

9 minutes ago, camxza2 said:

I have everything my main hard drive anyway and want to conduct just a regular backup on the external HDD. The external HDD just has the image file and nothing else.

Well the purpose of a disk image is to have an image to use in the event of you needing it, whether through a corruption, or whatever... you can then use the windows USB disk, to re-install windows from that image so to speak, so the system will be exactly the same as when you made that image. Best time IMO to make an image is after installing all the main programs you use on a daily basis. Saves you loads of time from having to re-install or refresh windows and install all those programs again.

If you just want to have backups of your files, use something like freefilesync, and have it backup certain folders to the USB drive instead.. you can have it mirror one way, mirror both ways, just add etc, there's lots of options.

[camxza2]

1 hour ago, paddy-stone said:

Well the purpose of a disk image is to have an image to use in the event of you needing it, whether through a corruption, or whatever... you can then use the windows USB disk, to re-install windows from that image so to speak, so the system will be exactly the same as when you made that image. Best time IMO to make an image is after installing all the main programs you use on a daily basis. Saves you loads of time from having to re-install or refresh windows and install all those programs again.

If you just want to have backups of your files, use something like freefilesync, and have it backup certain folders to the USB drive instead.. you can have it mirror one way, mirror both ways, just add etc, there's lots of options.

Thanks for the info. I ended up deleting the folder and I'm currently conducting a backup now with the Windows backup utility.

[paddy-stone]

16 minutes ago, camxza2 said:

Thanks for the info. I ended up deleting the folder and I'm currently conducting a backup now with the Windows backup utility.

No worries, I ALWAYS keep a backup image, so saves me time re-installing everything, that can take hours with enough software... with an image, it's pretty much done in about 20-30 mins. I keep my files on a NAS, so don't have to worry about losing files... NAS is backed up to a USB HDD and to another backup NAS, lol... paranoid level

 

[camxza2]

Just now, paddy-stone said:

No worries, I ALWAYS keep a backup image, so saves me time re-installing everything, that can take hours with enough software... with an image, it's pretty much done in about 20-30 mins. I keep my files on a NAS, so don't have to worry about losing files... NAS is backed up to a USB HDD and to another backup NAS, lol... paranoid level

 

 I fell ya. At some point I would love to build a file server or NAS, especially if I add more computers to my setup.