Vista - Backup Files

Hi,

I regularly use Vista File backup and as you would be aware it automatically includes the c: drive plus any other partition you care to select.

Is the windows registry backed up with the files?

I do my data/file backup on a weekly basis and a complete image approx every 3 - 4 months. The registry is obviously backed up in the image but I was wondering if it was also included in the file backup.

This would be useful if for instance new programs had been added to drives other than the c; drive since last complete image. I keep games on a separate drive.

Also having the registry backed up on a weekly basis could be quite handy, and if so what files would I need to restore for the registry. I suspect though that vista would not allow the registry to be overwritten while the os is running so may have to be a function of a complete image restore.

Any info appreciated.

regards,

Harry..

Hello Harry,

Sorry, but the registry, which is considered system files, is not included in Back Up Files option. However, System Restore does backup system files with restore points. Creating a restore point would be a good way to backup the registry instead.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks for the prompt response Shawn, I sort of suspected that would be the case.

Thanks for the info.

regards,

Harry...

You're welcome Harry.

will the back up Include my programs such as Live Messenger,Firefox etc and torrents(games n music I've downloaded) ? Thanks

Hello Jaffa,

Sorry, but it will only include the file types selected in step 6, and not any programs. Since you do not have Vista Ultimate that includes a full computer backup feature, you will need to use a 3rd party drive backup program instead. Macrium Reflect is a pretty good free program to use for backups like you are wanting.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

This won't work for me
I guess I have a permission problem?

I don't get it tho... I'm running as an Admin

Please see screen shots attached:

Also, I have similar problems with doing manual windows updates (related?).

Hello Grassy Knoll, and welcome to Vista Forums.

I have heard of some security programs causing this type of error. As a test, temporarily disable any 3rd party firewall, antivirus, or malware program you have running to see if you can run the backup successfully afterwards.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks Shawn, I tried that to no avail but I have found the fix to my issue!

I had to turn off the "User Account Control" (UAC) feature in:
Control Panel> User Accounts> Turn User Account Control On or Off





I hope posting this will help anyone else with the same issue.

Grassy Knoll,

I'm happy to hear that you got this sorted for now. You should not have to turn off UAC to do a backup though. As a test, you might create another adminstrator account and see how it works while logged on to it with UAC on.