Comments on: Restore data from Vista full computer backup to Windows 7 http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/ Sharing knowledge since 2003. Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:43:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Lisa http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2454 Lisa Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:34:59 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2454 Thanks for both the reply and the very quick response! I just wanted to double check - and I'm definitely not getting rid of my backups! Thanks for both the reply and the very quick response! I just wanted to double check – and I’m definitely not getting rid of my backups!

]]> By: Marin Franković http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2453 Marin Franković Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:27:01 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2453 Hi Lisa, basically it is the same thing. If you mount your full backup vhd file you can copy your data from it since it will show as disk drive in Windows 7. Or you can simply transfer copied data to Windows 7 by copying it from external drive. In any case, do not delete you backups. If you can, store them for safe keeping. Best regards Hi Lisa,

basically it is the same thing. If you mount your full backup vhd file you can copy your data from it since it will show as disk drive in Windows 7. Or you can simply transfer copied data to Windows 7 by copying it from external drive. In any case, do not delete you backups. If you can, store them for safe keeping.

Best regards

]]> By: Lisa http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2452 Lisa Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:21:04 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2452 Hello, I just switched laptops and switched at the same time from Vista to 7. I had to turn in my Vista to get my new one, so I backed it up a few ways: updated my prior backup, did a new full backup, and tranferred all of the files I needed. (It's a good thing I have such a large external.) I'm just trying to figure out if it is best to bring my files over from the transferred files or from the full backup. (I don't really mind either one or ease of it. I just want to know which is best.) Thanks! Hello,

I just switched laptops and switched at the same time from Vista to 7. I had to turn in my Vista to get my new one, so I backed it up a few ways: updated my prior backup, did a new full backup, and tranferred all of the files I needed. (It’s a good thing I have such a large external.) I’m just trying to figure out if it is best to bring my files over from the transferred files or from the full backup. (I don’t really mind either one or ease of it. I just want to know which is best.)
Thanks!

]]> By: Marin Franković http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2444 Marin Franković Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:17:39 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2444 Hi Nancy, zip files can be unzipped in Windows 7, but you will have to do it manually. If you can not create full PC backup (vhd file) I recommend you do copy/paste of all your important data to an external drive and later on move it to Windows 7 installation. You will have to reinstall all applications either way. Another way to go (I do not recommend it) is to do in-place upgrade of Vista to Windows 7. Hi Nancy,

zip files can be unzipped in Windows 7, but you will have to do it manually. If you can not create full PC backup (vhd file) I recommend you do copy/paste of all your important data to an external drive and later on move it to Windows 7 installation. You will have to reinstall all applications either way. Another way to go (I do not recommend it) is to do in-place upgrade of Vista to Windows 7.

]]> By: Nancy http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2443 Nancy Sun, 22 Aug 2010 15:17:11 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2443 Hi, I am preparing to do a clean install for windows 7. Before I do it, I have done a PC backup in Vista. After reading these posts, I checked the type of file they are and it is compressed zip file. I tried to do the windows image and backup option but it would not saying that my drive (western digital my book was ineligible). will the compressed zip files be available when I go to windows 7? alternatively what should I do. I don't mind reinstalling software but would like to have all my information to transfer...again a signficant amount of pictures and data. Hi,
I am preparing to do a clean install for windows 7. Before I do it, I have done a PC backup in Vista. After reading these posts, I checked the type of file they are and it is compressed zip file. I tried to do the windows image and backup option but it would not saying that my drive (western digital my book was ineligible). will the compressed zip files be available when I go to windows 7? alternatively what should I do. I don’t mind reinstalling software but would like to have all my information to transfer…again a signficant amount of pictures and data.

]]> By: Marin Franković http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2390 Marin Franković Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:29:50 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2390 Hi Shannon, when you attach VHDs to your computer and open them through My Computer, did you try to browse through Users folder on them and within Users folder, should be My Documents folder? I am pretty sure that if you did backup your new computer to the same HDD, new backup would not overwrite old one. If old backup is overwritten, it will be hard to get old data back. I would like to help you, but it is very hard for me to do so over text messages. P.S. Did you try to use search on those attached VHD files? After you attach VHD to your computer, open it and try to search some familiar files that were on your old computer. Hi Shannon,

when you attach VHDs to your computer and open them through My Computer, did you try to browse through Users folder on them and within Users folder, should be My Documents folder? I am pretty sure that if you did backup your new computer to the same HDD, new backup would not overwrite old one. If old backup is overwritten, it will be hard to get old data back. I would like to help you, but it is very hard for me to do so over text messages.

P.S.

Did you try to use search on those attached VHD files? After you attach VHD to your computer, open it and try to search some familiar files that were on your old computer.

]]> By: Shannon http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2389 Shannon Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:30:24 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2389 Marin (or anyone), I followed the last steps listed here and though it created two more disks I'm still not able to access my information from the old hard drive. I too backed up in Vista and am trying to import files into W7 and I only have the hard drive as the computer was sent back to the manufacturer. What sucks is that in trying to figure out what to do I think I accidentally backed up my new computer on the old hard drive as well though I'm 90% positive the old information is there. There are two rather large vhd files that I think contain all my old information but like I said when I go to "attach vhd" though disk management and open them both I'm only given files that I can't quite decipher that look as though they've come from the new computer. These files were there before I even backed up the new computer though so i don't know why that is happening. I'm desperate to get my information back because every picture I've taken of my daughter is on there as well as years of my music. I am so so desperate. Please help. Marin (or anyone), I followed the last steps listed here and though it created two more disks I’m still not able to access my information from the old hard drive. I too backed up in Vista and am trying to import files into W7 and I only have the hard drive as the computer was sent back to the manufacturer.

What sucks is that in trying to figure out what to do I think I accidentally backed up my new computer on the old hard drive as well though I’m 90% positive the old information is there. There are two rather large vhd files that I think contain all my old information but like I said when I go to “attach vhd” though disk management and open them both I’m only given files that I can’t quite decipher that look as though they’ve come from the new computer. These files were there before I even backed up the new computer though so i don’t know why that is happening.

I’m desperate to get my information back because every picture I’ve taken of my daughter is on there as well as years of my music. I am so so desperate. Please help.

]]> By: Jessi http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2277 Jessi Sat, 22 May 2010 11:17:31 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2277 Hai, Thankx.. It is restored now.. :D Jessi Hai,
Thankx..
It is restored now.. :D

Jessi

]]> By: Marin Franković http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2276 Marin Franković Fri, 21 May 2010 18:27:15 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2276 Hi Jessi, - Start - right click on Computer and select Manage. - Select Disk management (wait for the console to populate) - Right click on Disk management and select Attach VHD - Browse to your backup and click OK Now you should see another disk drive when you open Windows Explorer. It is your backup. Hi Jessi,

- Start – right click on Computer and select Manage.
- Select Disk management (wait for the console to populate)
- Right click on Disk management and select Attach VHD
- Browse to your backup and click OK

Now you should see another disk drive when you open Windows Explorer. It is your backup.

]]> By: Jessi http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2275 Jessi Fri, 21 May 2010 17:48:42 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2275 hai, I want to ask, what should I do because I can't find the Disk Management everywhere... I backup my whole laptop, so the files are VHD.. can any one explain it in simple way.? thank you. Jessi hai,
I want to ask, what should I do because I can’t find the Disk Management everywhere…
I backup my whole laptop, so the files are VHD..
can any one explain it in simple way.?
thank you.
Jessi

]]> By: Marin Franković http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2256 Marin Franković Mon, 10 May 2010 21:55:06 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2256 Hi Mark, what application did you use to back up your data? Did you use Windows Vista backup application or third party? If you did full computer backup with Vista backup, you should have one or more .vhd files which can be attached to Windows 7 by using Disk Management tool (http://bit.ly/IXnEb) and then you can access them as any other disk. If you did backup of selected files only, then you should be able to unzip them. Hi Mark,

what application did you use to back up your data? Did you use Windows Vista backup application or third party? If you did full computer backup with Vista backup, you should have one or more .vhd files which can be attached to Windows 7 by using Disk Management tool (http://bit.ly/IXnEb) and then you can access them as any other disk. If you did backup of selected files only, then you should be able to unzip them.

]]> By: Mark Gidman http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2255 Mark Gidman Mon, 10 May 2010 21:44:46 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2255 i dont understand it.i was on windows vista 32bit ive backed everything up through recovery manager and have done a clean install of windos 7 64bit and want to get my back up onto it from my vista thanks i dont understand it.i was on windows vista 32bit ive backed everything up through recovery manager and have done a clean install of windos 7 64bit and want to get my back up onto it from my vista thanks

]]> By: Marin Franković http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2254 Marin Franković Mon, 10 May 2010 21:41:11 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2254 Hi Mark, there are lots of comments on this post. What is your question? Hi Mark,

there are lots of comments on this post. What is your question?

]]> By: Mark Gidman http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2253 Mark Gidman Mon, 10 May 2010 21:36:42 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2253 hi can somebody explain this in simple terms thank you hi can somebody explain this in simple terms thank you

]]> By: Marin Franković http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2196 Marin Franković Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:28:23 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2196 Hi Felicia, did you try opening zip files wit WinZip or WinRAR? Hi Felicia,

did you try opening zip files wit WinZip or WinRAR?

]]> By: Felicia http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2195 Felicia Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:28:02 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2195 I agree with Chris. I need help restoring ZIP files created with Vista Backup & Restore Center. I thought this would be easy, but these files (which are there) are not recognized. I depended on this feature to work while I reformatted my computer. And now, if I can't get my files, I am totally f'd. Can anyone help with this?? I agree with Chris. I need help restoring ZIP files created with Vista Backup & Restore Center. I thought this would be easy, but these files (which are there) are not recognized. I depended on this feature to work while I reformatted my computer. And now, if I can’t get my files, I am totally f’d. Can anyone help with this??

]]> By: Marin Franković http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2192 Marin Franković Mon, 12 Apr 2010 07:19:26 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2192 Hi Kevin, I guess we have a misunderstanding. When you do "standard backup" you end up with .zip files. If you do "Full PC Backup" you will end up with .vhd files. From "MS Storage Team (http://blogs.technet.com/filecab/pages/file-backup-in-windows-vista-faq.aspx)" "Why did you use .ZIP files for backups? We intentionally chose "industry standard" ZIP files for the file backup and restore feature to ensure that our customers would be able to restore their backups on a non-Windows Vista PC (or even a Mac or Linux box). That was a major shortcoming (according to our customers) of NTBackup's proprietary BKF format. And by using separate files, vs. one monolithic file, we're able to span across multiple media (CDs and DVDs), while still being resilient to any one of the media failing. The Complete PC Backup and Restore feature users the VHD (virtual hard disk) format from the Virtual PC and Virtual Server team." Hi Kevin,

I guess we have a misunderstanding. When you do “standard backup” you end up with .zip files. If you do “Full PC Backup” you will end up with .vhd files.

From “MS Storage Team (http://blogs.technet.com/filecab/pages/file-backup-in-windows-vista-faq.aspx)”

“Why did you use .ZIP files for backups?
We intentionally chose “industry standard” ZIP files for the file backup and restore feature to ensure that our customers would be able to restore their backups on a non-Windows Vista PC (or even a Mac or Linux box). That was a major shortcoming (according to our customers) of NTBackup’s proprietary BKF format. And by using separate files, vs. one monolithic file, we’re able to span across multiple media (CDs and DVDs), while still being resilient to any one of the media failing.

The Complete PC Backup and Restore feature users the VHD (virtual hard disk) format from the Virtual PC and Virtual Server team.”

]]> By: Kevin http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2191 Kevin Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:34:23 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2191 "And Vista Backup is nothing more than vhd file!!!" hmmm... I did a recent Vista backup and don't see any *.vhd files associated with it. 'catalogs' and .zip files only... “And Vista Backup is nothing more than vhd file!!!”

hmmm… I did a recent Vista backup and don’t see any *.vhd files associated with it. ‘catalogs’ and .zip files only…

]]> By: Chris http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2134 Chris Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:24:12 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2134 Wow, you guys are way over my head on this. Simply put....I don't know what the crap you are talking about. I too backed up my laptop when switching from Vista to 7. I backed it up onto an old pc hard drive. Now when I need to get all of my outlook files and emails onto the new system I am f'd and I have no idea what all of what you guys are tlkaing about. I am not a computer guru. I just need my shit back asap... can anyone explain to me how to do this in English please....... Wow, you guys are way over my head on this. Simply put….I don’t know what the crap you are talking about. I too backed up my laptop when switching from Vista to 7. I backed it up onto an old pc hard drive. Now when I need to get all of my outlook files and emails onto the new system I am f’d and I have no idea what all of what you guys are tlkaing about. I am not a computer guru. I just need my shit back asap… can anyone explain to me how to do this in English please…….

]]> By: Marin Franković http://blog.frankovic.net/2009/02/restore-data-from-vista-full-computer-backup-to-windows-7/comment-page-1/#comment-2048 Marin Franković Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:02:04 +0000 http://blog.frankovic.net/?p=663#comment-2048 Hi, my recommendation would be to run Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to test all drivers, hardware and applications for compatibility before you install Windows 7. There are no Microsoft applications that will restore your custom installations from Vista backup to Windows 7 installation. Best way is to reinstall applications in Windows 7. Hi,

my recommendation would be to run Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to test all drivers, hardware and applications for compatibility before you install Windows 7. There are no Microsoft applications that will restore your custom installations from Vista backup to Windows 7 installation. Best way is to reinstall applications in Windows 7.

]]>