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Windows 10 - Backup File size does not match original file size

Anonymous
2020-03-25T20:11:21+00:00

Windows 10 - Automatic backup

Folder sizes on the back-up drive are significantly smaller than the folders that they are "copying/backing up"

is this normal or does this mean that the software is not fully backing up the files?

Thank you

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-03-25T21:26:59+00:00

    Hello,

    Yes the Numbers of Folders and Files should be 1 to 1, Hence it's the exact same file as the original.

    It could be that the Back up got somehow interrupted at a stage.

    Restoring will unfortunately also take time almost as long as backing up.

    I would suggest a 3rd party tool called ''WinMerge'' to compare the back up folder with the Source folder. But hence it is not a Windows Created app use on you own risk.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-03-25T20:25:32+00:00

    Hello,

    Thank you for reaching out. I am Harun an Independent Advisor and Microsoft User. I will gladly help you out.

    In Normal conditions to save up space most of the Backups will be compressed before upload. If you saw the message that Backup Was Successful that there is little to worry about. But to take extra precautions I would advice to Manually trigger the back up and see it finishing it successfully.

    If you still are worried than you can view the content of the back up using Restore File Wizard following these steps:

    1. Open Backup and Restore by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Backup and Restore.
    2. Do one of the following:

    •To view your files, click Restore my files.

    •To view all users' files, click Restore all users' files. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

    3.Do one of the following:

    •T o browse the contents of the backup, click Browse for files or Browse for folders.

    When you are browsing for folders, you won't be able to see the individual files in a folder. To view individual files, use the Browse for files option.

    •To search the contents of the backup, click Search, type all or part of a filename, and then click Search.

    Please let me know if this helps.

    Sincerely

    Independent Advisor

    Harun

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-03-25T21:06:28+00:00

    Harun,

    Thank you for your reply.  I can understand that the compressed files on the backup drive take less space than the originals.  This makes sense.

    Should the number of files in each folder match?  Also, if I run the restore backup files from the control panel will it take as long to restore as it took for backing up?  

    Below is a screenshot of the two folders:  15,000+ files in the folder on the left to 8,000+ in the backup on the right

    Thanks again,

    Rick

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