Skip to main content

Windows XP image only

Thread needs solution

I would like to know if it's possible to save only WINDOWS XP files and settings, NOT users files (That are 500gigs). So when Windows XP become weird, I only have to re-install this backup or image or else, not the whole user data to be like new again.
Dan

0 Users found this helpful

Dan,

Depending on the version of TI you're using, you can create a backup image that excludes certain folders. However, you would not be able to restore that image and keep the data the currently exists on the same partition.

What most users recommend is creating a separate partition for data files. The two partitions can then be backed up and restored independently from each other.

If you can't restore it to a spare drive and test it, the next best thing is to boot to the TI CD and validate the image.

Hello Dan,

Thank you for posting your queries.

Thank you MudCrab for your tips and suggestions in this regard.

Generally, Windows XP or any other operating system is installed in C: partition of your hard drive. This partition would have the user data including Desktop and My Documents etc.

You have two options to take a backup. One is Disk & Partition backup and the other is Files & Folders Backup.

You can take backup of C (using Disk & Partition Backup Method) excluding these folders but if you restore that backup to the C drive, Windows XP will be restored and any data existing on that partition would be deleted.

To prevent the user data from being backed up , you can take a backup of C drive with excluding C:\Documents and Settings\Username folder. In case you have any other folder/s on the C drive where you have saved some data, please add those folders to the exclusion list.

I recommend you to download the trial version of Acronis True Image Home 2011 using the link below :-
http://www.acronis.com.sg/homecomputing/download/link/?ATIH2011_trial_e…

Perform a Disk & Partition backup of C: (excluding the user data )to an external drive/network share.
Please refer to chapter 3 of the following user guide:-

http://download.acronis.com/pdf/ATIH2011_userguide_en-US.pdf

After creation of backup, you can browse the contents of backup archive. Please note that any data not backed up would be lost when you restore the backup to the existing system.

Validation is the best method by which you can ensure that your archive is protected and recoverable.

The user guide will answer many of your upcoming queries. If you have any queries, please let us know.

Thank you for showing interest in Acronis products.