A list of files not to back up?

[mm]

Is there a list of files it's not worth backing up?

I was watching my backup software messages go by today, and there were
so many kinds of files I didn't want to save.

For example, "temporary internet files" but from more than one place
on the harddrive.

Or, every AVG update file I've ever gotten.

I googled as best I could and found one "list" in a pcguide article,
but it only listed the swapfile and compressed volumes!

 

[SC Tom]

Is there a list of files it's not worth backing up?

I was watching my backup software messages go by today, and there were
so many kinds of files I didn't want to save.

For example, "temporary internet files" but from more than one place
on the harddrive.

Or, every AVG update file I've ever gotten.

I googled as best I could and found one "list" in a pcguide article,
but it only listed the swapfile and compressed volumes!

If you run Windows Clean-up before backing up, it'll take care of all that
stuff.
If you have a folder for downloaded programs, you could skip that.
Swapfile and System Volume Information (the System Restore folder) can be
skipped.
Any program folders that you have the installation files for, or ones that
you don't care if you have them again can be skipped.
It's really a matter of what do you want if you have to do a restore from
the backup. If you want everything, you have to back up everything.
After a full backup, why not just do incrementals for a while after that?

Another suggestion would be to use a different backup program. I use Acronis
True Image, and can make a full image of 55+GB in about 90 minutes. I start
it off, go play a set of tennis, and it's done when I get home. Plus, it
runs from a boot CD, so no anti-malware or firewall or Windows services or
anything to slow it down. I highly recommend it

 

[Daave]

Is there a list of files it's not worth backing up?

I was watching my backup software messages go by today, and there were
so many kinds of files I didn't want to save.

For example, "temporary internet files" but from more than one place
on the harddrive.

Or, every AVG update file I've ever gotten.

I googled as best I could and found one "list" in a pcguide article,
but it only listed the swapfile and compressed volumes!

What kind of backups do you perform and how often are they done? What is
the name of your backup software?

 

[Twayne]

In

Is there a list of files it's not worth backing up?

I was watching my backup software messages go by today, and there were
so many kinds of files I didn't want to save.

For example, "temporary internet files" but from more than one place
on the harddrive.

Or, every AVG update file I've ever gotten.

I googled as best I could and found one "list" in a pcguide article,
but it only listed the swapfile and compressed volumes!

Those are the norms for files to not backup. Do a Disk Cleanup (Start;
Programs; Accessories; System Tools; Disk Cleanup) first to eliminate the
"junk" on the drive.

In XP the 'swapfile' is called pagefile.sys and doesn't need to be backed
up. I've no idea why it said not to backup COMPRESSED VOLUMES; they will
back up and restore just fine.

Some other files I added to the not to backup list are:
Program backup files such as *.bak, but those might be useful to you; ymmv.
*.tmp,
~*.* since sometimes they get located in strange places,
Recycler,
System Volume Information,
*.tmp,
*.temp, (I make my own and have multiple locations for them)

HOWever, in the overall scheme of things, those are all minor details/disk
space when you compare them to the overall size of the drive so many people
don't even bother with them. Recycle, System Volume Information and the
pagefile.sys however can be pretty large depending, so they're worth
listing.

None of the above are likely to amount to a speed improvement for the
backups though. It sounds like you might be running XPs ntbackup.exe
(Backup) which is fine and fully functional as long as you create and keep
updated the ASR diskette.
Then you have Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image, reasonably affordable
disk imaging programs that have better bells & whistles and make things a
little easier to do and make doing Full/Incremental backups on a schedule a
snap to do. Personally I use Ghost but I think more people might be useing
Acronis for whatever reason, probably the price. The two are roughly the
same with the only major difference that Acronis doesn't clone disks IIRC
where Ghost does. Cloning however is seldom needed by most people.

IMO the two major things to remember before running any backup:
Do a Disk Cleanup and don't include the pagefile or Recycler in the backup,
plus be SURE you create and understand the use of the ASR floppy. In Ghost
and TI the floppy can be a CD or DVD instead; and all are bootable in order
to do catastrophic failure recoveries or install a new drive, for instance.

HTH,

Twayne

 

[mm]

In

Those are the norms for files to not backup. Do a Disk Cleanup (Start;
Programs; Accessories; System Tools; Disk Cleanup) first to eliminate the
"junk" on the drive.

In XP the 'swapfile' is called pagefile.sys and doesn't need to be backed
up. I've no idea why it said not to backup COMPRESSED VOLUMES; they will
back up and restore just fine.

Some other files I added to the not to backup list are:
Program backup files such as *.bak, but those might be useful to you; ymmv.
*.tmp,
~*.* since sometimes they get located in strange places,
Recycler,
System Volume Information,
*.tmp,
*.temp, (I make my own and have multiple locations for them)

I have excluded all of these except the SVI and the .bak files.

Does it matter if I delete the Recycle Bin files. If I make sure I
don't back the files up, their space is available when needed, right?

HOWever, in the overall scheme of things, those are all minor details/disk
space when you compare them to the overall size of the drive so many people
don't even bother with them. Recycle, System Volume Information and the
pagefile.sys however can be pretty large depending, so they're worth
listing.

None of the above are likely to amount to a speed improvement for the
backups though. It sounds like you might be running XPs ntbackup.exe
(Backup) which is fine and fully functional as long as you create and keep
updated the ASR diskette.
Then you have Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image, reasonably affordable
disk imaging programs that have better bells & whistles and make things a
little easier to do and make doing Full/Incremental backups on a schedule a
snap to do. Personally I use Ghost but I think more people might be useing
Acronis for whatever reason, probably the price. The two are roughly the
same with the only major difference that Acronis doesn't clone disks IIRC
where Ghost does. Cloning however is seldom needed by most people.

IMO the two major things to remember before running any backup:
Do a Disk Cleanup and don't include the pagefile or Recycler in the backup,
plus be SURE you create and understand the use of the ASR floppy. In Ghost
and TI the floppy can be a CD or DVD instead; and all are bootable in order
to do catastrophic failure recoveries or install a new drive, for instance.

Thanks and thanks all.

I had exclude pagefile.sys and the recycle folder.

Even though I keep all files showing, I don't spend as much time
looking at them as I used to. My curiosity is mostly gone.

So I was surprised by the System Volume information. Those are
restore points, right? I would want to delete almost all of them, but
not all in case I have to restore.

I'll digest all you have said.

 

[Twayne]

In

I have excluded all of these except the SVI and the .bak files.

Running the Disk Cleanup application before backing up will get rid of most
of the files that aren't worth backing up. Unless you've done things
different than windows set them up, that should suffice fine.

Does it matter if I delete the Recycle Bin files.

No, not really.

If I make sure I

don't back the files up, their space is available when needed, right?

Right. Depending on how often you empty the Recycle Bin, it can get to be
pretty big. Personally I don't leave files in it for long. Every few days I
empty it, just to keep clutter down in case I do decide I want a recently
deleted file back, but it almost never happens. And if I really did need a
deleted, it'll usually be in my backup archives anyway.

HTH,

Twayne

 

[mm]

In

Running the Disk Cleanup application before backing up will get rid of most
of the files that aren't worth backing up. Unless you've done things
different than windows set them up, that should suffice fine.


No, not really.

If I make sure I

Right. Depending on how often you empty the Recycle Bin, it can get to be
pretty big. Personally I don't leave files in it for long. Every few days I
empty it, just to keep clutter down in case I do decide I want a recently
deleted file back, but it almost never happens. And if I really did need a
deleted, it'll usually be in my backup archives anyway.

HTH,

Twayne

Thanks again.

I'll put some effort into this and get it close to right soon.

I'm working on it now.