where do I find a list of folders that were backed up using the Windows backup option from the control panel.

Me too - but I finally gave in to the relentless asking and thought it might be a good idea.

This is why I don't trust the cloud

I backed up my files to "the cloud" using the repeated request by Microsoft to do so, and they did not end up on my OneDrive. Where are they?

Hi Steiny05

Welcome to the Microsoft Community

Understanding your problem

You can check the list of folders backed up through the Windows Backup feature of the Control Panel and verify that your C drive root folder is included by following these steps:

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Through the Control Panel's Backup Manager tool

Open the backup settings:

Go to **Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7)** (names may vary slightly depending on system version).

Click Manage space (or similar option).

View the contents of the backup:

In the pop-up window, select View Backup or Browse Backup Contents.

The folders contained in the backup (e.g. Users, ProgramData, etc.) are listed here. The default backup usually contains user libraries (documents, pictures, etc.) and system files, but may not contain custom folders in the root directory.

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Checking Inclusions in Backup Settings

Go to Backup Configuration:

In the Backup and Restore screen, click Change settings (or similar option).

Check if the backup destination location contains your external hard disk.

Confirm the backup scope:

The default backup usually contains only the user folder (C:\Users) and the system image (if needed). If your folder is in the root directory (e.g. C:\MyFolder), you need to add it manually:

Select Let me choose (instead of the default “Let Windows choose”).

Check the existing user folder under Data Files and add C:\MyFolder manually.

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Browsing the backup contents through the recovery interface

Start the Recovery Wizard:

In the Backup and Restore screen, click Restore My Files.

Select Browse Folders or Browse Files to locate the backup target (external hard disk).

Expand the directory structure to see a list of folders that have been backed up. If the root folder does not appear, it is not included.

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Checking System Image Backup (if applicable)

If System Image Backup is enabled, it will make a full backup of the C drive, including the root folder:

In the Backup and Restore screen, click Create System Image.

Check to see if a system image has been created (usually a .vhd or .vhdx file).

After mounting the system image, check if it contains your root directory folder.

Contact me if you need anything else.

Best wishes

Merek.Z - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist