Ways of backup and restore/recovery in Windows 7

There are several ways of backup and restore/recovery in Windows 7:

• "Backup and Restore" under Control Panel\System and Security.

• System Restore.

• the recovery partition on my laptop

I was wondering what are the differences between them?

Thanks!

Specifically,

1. What kind of data does each of them back up and recover, installed Windows 7 OS files and software/driver files, the partition where the OS files lie, the whole drive, ...? Suppose the recovery partition is for the whole drive (including all partitions on the drive). Are "Backup and Restore* and "System Restore" also for the whole drive, or some partition, or just installed OS and software?
2. Is the "image" created in "Backup and Restore" same concept as the "restore point" in "System Restore"?
3. Where are the backup files stored for the first two ways? Where are the "image" created in "Backup and Restore" stored? Same question for the "restore point" in "System Restore"? What is stored in the System Volume Information folder in each partition?
4. Does each of them backup automatically or manually?
5. Are there other ways?

Differences:

Backup and Restore

This is the central point to administer a number of different backup tools.

1. Allows you to set up backup schedules for file level backup/restore (if you loose a few files).

2. Allows you to take one off system images (a snapshot of your computer in its current state, so a restore will put everything back to how it was when you took the image).

3. Launch System Restore. (see below)

4. Create a Windows recovery disk, this is a special disk that allows you to restore the above image created at number 2, perform system restores offline and a number of other recovery tools (imagine clicking repair the pc at Windows setup - it basically gives you those tools).

System Restore

Going in to System Restore allows two things:

1. Manually create a restore point.

2. Go back to a restore point.

If you don't manually create a point, they are typically auto created whenever anything is installed, updated, or system updates - along with a few other things. If you never do a restore through this method, it can speed up various activities to disable it. Take a look to configure this in System Properties > System Protection.

This process basically leaves your documents alone whilst "rolling back" most program actions, this includes changes to the registry, or file actions.

The recovery partition

The recovery partition (or manufacturer provided recovery disk) is different on every make (and possibly model) of laptop. It usually always contains the ability to wipe everything on your machine and reset the machine to factory settings - as if it was brand new. It also usually has a few tools to aid recovery, but this can vary greatly.

I hope this helps!

Edit - Updated for questions in comments...

(1) So the recovery partition is for the whole drive (including all partitions on the drive). Are "Backup and Restore* and "System Restore" also for the whole drive, or some partition, or just installed OS and software?

Well, depends on manufacturer, All leave the recovery partition alone (obviously) but some repartition and remove any customisations whilst some just format the primary/first drive. No easy way to know for sure.

Backup and Restore can be the whole drive, but it allows you to restore/pick out single files from the backup. System Restore goes back to a certain date whilst leaving your files alone... it is less powerful than an image but designed to be a "last hope" before needing a re-image or reinstallation.

(2) Is the "image" created in "Backup and Restore" same concept as the "restore point" in "System Restore"?

No, The System image is EVERYTHING, when you do a restore, it puts your machine back to how it was when you created the image.

A restore point is typically created by installers. It trys to undo an installation by removing all file and registry changes whilst leaving your documents folder alone. Sometimes it works very well, other times it doesn't.

Personally I do not like System Restore for long term backup / going to a much earlier point, however it is great for quickly (completely) undoing a driver installation or testing an installation and then undoing the same day or a bit later!

(3) Where are the "image" created in "Backup and Restore" stored? Same question for the "restore point" in "System Restore"? What is stored in the System Volume Information folder in each partition?

The image as well as the standard/scheduled backup, is created where ever you want it to be!

The System Volume Information folder contains System Restore, Volume Shadow Copy, DTS, and Indexing.