Dell Backup and Recovery File Storage Location

Question

I am trying to locate where an initial data file backup using Dell Backup and Recovery on my new (Jan 2015) Windows 7 Laptop, stored the backup files.  I failed to provide the settings to use an External Hard Drive for the backup.  I want to clean up the backup files it made so that I can start fresh using an external hard drive as the storage location.  I have looked everywhere, both on my Laptop and searching Google to find the location.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

jjsgarden · Accepted Answer

I know this is a bit of a necro but since it went unanswered.

You can figure out where the Dell Backup and Recovery software stored your files by default by opening the software and beginning to run another backup. (Note: when you run the software again you may not see the option to run another backup from the home screen. In that case click the almost invisible drop-down menu in the title bar (blue arrow) and then select 'Backup' (red arrow) from the menu.)

On the 'Data Backup' screen select the 'Local' box.

The 'Data Backup Creation' screen will show you a box titled 'Browse...' below the heading 'Where'.

At the bottom of this box you should see the path where Dell Backup and Recovery saved your backup.

For me the default location was 'C:\users\CURRENT_USER\Documents'. (where CURRENT_USER is your username).

If you navigate to that location in Windows Explorer you should see a folder named 'Profile1'. This is where my Dell backup files were stored by default.

If for some reason you do not see a folder named 'Profile1' I open folders in the default location and look for files with the .inp file extension. Those are your backup files.

BTW for anyone who read the FAQ that DELL-Jesse L linked to you should note that is NOT the FAQ for Dell Backup and Recovery that is currently in use. It is the FAQ for their old software Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 which they no longer use. If you read that FAQ you might have noted the question and answer below:

How can I move System Backups to another storage location?

System Backups can be moved to another storage location if you desire. Simply open Dell DataSafe and edit the backup profile for your System Backups. When you select the location, select the new location where you would like all System Backups to be created. The application will automatically move all your System Backups to this new location.

I just tested this in the current version of Dell Backup and Restore (version 1.8.1.70) and it did NOT move my old backup files to the new location, it created a new copy of the backup so you would have to delete the old copies manually.

I hope this helps someone.

DELL-Jesse L · Answer

utbronco,

If your talking about a simple data backup, it goes where the customer chooses. Recovery Media can go on USB or optical media, Rescue disc really only works on USB HDD, Full system backups can go on main drive (not recommended) or USB HDD (option to include with Rescue Disc creation as well).

utbronco · Answer

Thank you Jesse for your response. I am talking about a simple data backup where I specified which folders and libraries on my Hard Drive I wanted to back up.

My problem is I was a stump and didn't specify where the backups should go, intending them to go to my external hard drive but I forgot to specify it until after the backup had run. Now I want to delete the backups it made, supposedly somewhere on my Laptop Hard Drive but I can't find them.

What I need to know is how to find them. I can see backups listed when I pretend to do a Recovery using Dell Backup and Recovery but just clearing them on that screen probably doesn't really delete them.

Thank you again!!

Dave

DELL-Jesse L · Answer

utbronco,

I am trying to find out exactly how to access the files and the location path. Below is a link to the DBAR FAQs. Maybe they will have some information to help you out as well until I can get a response back and let you know.

DBAR FAQ's

utbronco · Answer

Thanks for your help Jesse! I finally called Dell yesterday and they were good to work with. They accessed my Laptop and I worked with them for over an hour. After all was said and done, the Technician I was working with couldn't help me in the way I was looking for help. He finally said that he had done all he could and that he suggested I follow a process they use in their Customer Support Center.

They do not use Dell Backup and Recovery for data file backup. They just do a copy and paste. I've adopted a process of creating a new date titled folder on my External Hard Drive and then I'm selecting those Data Files on my Laptop that are personal important files to me and doing the copy and then pasting them into that date titled folder on my External Hard Drive. It think it will work great.

The other thing that I'm now considering is also doing the Windows Backup and Recovery of the files it selects as being important to securing my Data in case of a huge failure.

Thanks again for your help and communications!!
Dave

deber62 · Answer

Glad I found this post.

Made the mistake of selecting external HDD for backup destination and then forgot to turn external on. Backup went to default location - 'C:\users\CURRENT_USER\Documents'. (where CURRENT_USER is your username).

New PC, 1st backup. Folder containing backup was named Profile 1.

Because of size constraints I'm moving this folder to external and will do next backup to correct location.

Productivity Software

Dell Backup and Recovery File Storage Location

How can I move System Backups to another storage location?

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