How long to keep backup disk images?

Munkus · Nov 29, 2019, 10:20 AM

Just curious how long you guys keep your backup disk images. I've got about 5 years' worth and I need to free up some space on my NAS soon.

ugly · Nov 30, 2019, 12:28 AM

I don't even do disk images anymore.

Linux Mint comes with Timeshift. I just leave it at the default setting, which is an incremental back-up every week. And it keeps the last 3.

And if that fails, I have install scripts that have a big chunk of my setup automated.

So the only thing I need to make a point of backing up is my user data. I should probably have a better process for that.

I still have a Windows install, but I don't use it enough to bother with backup images.

andino · Nov 30, 2019, 04:29 AM

I do the auto backup once a month and I keep 3 months. And I'm starting to think that is overkill.

Installing a fresh Windows isn't that big of a deal for me. Plus I back all my important stuff up on the cloud and my server. That and all my games are on steam. Keeping a drive image is starting to become rather pointless these days.

Munkus · Nov 30, 2019, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andino

I do the auto backup once a month and I keep 3 months. And I'm starting to think that is overkill.

Installing a fresh Windows isn't that big of a deal for me. Plus I back all my important stuff up on the cloud and my server. That and all my games are on steam. Keeping a drive image is starting to become rather pointless these days.

Yeah, I'm starting to think it's pointless as well. I have never had to restore a backup disk image to recover files. All my important stuff is on OneDrive and reinstalling Windows isn't the time suck that it used to be.

Lazy8s · Nov 30, 2019, 11:37 AM

I was thinking I was being irresponsible by only keeping the last image

Then again my needs are pretty simple.

KAC · Dec 2, 2019, 10:16 PM

I don’t backup. I have 8 HDDs with key folders repeated. Rest not sure what to use backups for?

Which cloud service you gays using?

Hapatingjaky · Dec 3, 2019, 09:28 AM

Don't do disk images anymore, have my NAS and anything on there is mirrored so meh.

All my systems could have the storage straight up and die and I wouldn't lose a thing.

Cloud service I use Qnap Cloud for my NAS and it just backs up automatically so I don't have too worry.

andino · Dec 6, 2019, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KAC

Which cloud service you gays using?

Dropbox and OneDrive.

Johnmcl7 · Dec 7, 2019, 01:10 PM

I don't use disk images for my home PC's because I don't rebuild them that often and when I do, I find there's usually updated drivers, applications etc. so I end up installing all the software manually anyway so there's no saving with the image.

Ryo-Ohki · Dec 8, 2019, 08:48 AM

I don't either.

All of my data is on a Synology with an external backup on a eSATA drive.

The Windows OS itself is on a MDT image I tinkered to my liking. As John said, the few applications I use are updated frequently enough that I'll use the latest version available if I must reinstall.

View Poll Results: How long to keep backup disk images?
1-2 years	0	0%
2-4 years	1	33.33%
5-7 years	0	0%
Forever. Hard disk space is cheap.	2	66.67%
Voters: 3. You may not vote on this poll

Nov 29, 2019, 10:20 AM	#1	Advertisement (Guests Only) Login or Register to remove this ad
Munkus Hugged your dog lately? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Big Sky Country Posts: 25,243	How long to keep backup disk images? Just curious how long you guys keep your backup disk images. I've got about 5 years' worth and I need to free up some space on my NAS soon.

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Nov 30, 2019, 12:28 AM	#2
ugly Radeon R520 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Windsor, Ontario Posts: 502	I don't even do disk images anymore. Linux Mint comes with Timeshift. I just leave it at the default setting, which is an incremental back-up every week. And it keeps the last 3. And if that fails, I have install scripts that have a big chunk of my setup automated. So the only thing I need to make a point of backing up is my user data. I should probably have a better process for that. I still have a Windows install, but I don't use it enough to bother with backup images.

Nov 30, 2019, 04:29 AM	#3
andino Radeon Arctic Islands Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 5,721	I do the auto backup once a month and I keep 3 months. And I'm starting to think that is overkill. Installing a fresh Windows isn't that big of a deal for me. Plus I back all my important stuff up on the cloud and my server. That and all my games are on steam. Keeping a drive image is starting to become rather pointless these days.

Dec 2, 2019, 10:16 PM	#6
KAC That postcount though... Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Lahore Posts: 56,474	I don’t backup. I have 8 HDDs with key folders repeated. Rest not sure what to use backups for? Which cloud service you gays using?

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Dec 3, 2019, 09:28 AM	#7
Hapatingjaky Maximum Disappointment Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Ukraine Posts: 9,411	Don't do disk images anymore, have my NAS and anything on there is mirrored so meh. All my systems could have the storage straight up and die and I wouldn't lose a thing. Cloud service I use Qnap Cloud for my NAS and it just backs up automatically so I don't have too worry. __________________ Intel Core i7 8700K @ 5.2GHz, Asus Maximus X Apex, GSkill Trident-Z Royal DDR4 3200MHz 32GB CAS14, EVGA FTW3 2080Ti Sixtuple SLI, Creative Labs Soundblaster E3, Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB, Corsair AXI 1500i PSU, ThermalTake View 71, Corsair K95 Platinum RGB, Corsair Dark Core RGB SE, Acer Predator X34, Windows 10 Professional X64

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Dec 7, 2019, 01:10 PM	#9
Johnmcl7 Knowledge is Power Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Inverness Posts: 4,125	I don't use disk images for my home PC's because I don't rebuild them that often and when I do, I find there's usually updated drivers, applications etc. so I end up installing all the software manually anyway so there's no saving with the image. __________________ Desktop: A64 3000, 1GB DDR400, Radeon X850XT, Seagate 120GB HD + WD 80GB, Pioneer 105 & 106 DVD Burners Laptop: Dell Inspiron XPS 2, GeForce 6800go Ultra, 1.2GB DDR2-533 ram, 60GB HD, WUXGA 1920x1200 screen, DVD/CD-RW drive, Intel pro 2200 b/g wireless "Every person has voices in their heads, whispered doubts and ambitions, dreams and nightmares. How much reality one gives them, how much you allow yourself to be controlled...that only you can decide"

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Dec 8, 2019, 08:48 AM	#10
Ryo-Ohki Cabbit Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Masaki Shrine Posts: 2,481	I don't either. All of my data is on a Synology with an external backup on a eSATA drive. The Windows OS itself is on a MDT image I tinkered to my liking. As John said, the few applications I use are updated frequently enough that I'll use the latest version available if I must reinstall. __________________ If all else fails, just ARK the problem.

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