HP simplesave hard drive backup files

[MTA11283]

I have an old Hp simplesave external hard drive. I have backed up the same computer on it several times. How do I find the FIRST backup on the external hard drive. Does it save each back up or just update files that have been changed? Any help is appreciated. I fear I lost sentimental photos/videos due to not being knowledgeable. 

[Max3Aj · Accepted solution]

@MTA11283, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
Let's go through how HP SimpleSave works and the steps you can take to locate your first backup.

💾 How HP SimpleSave Works (Default Behavior)

• Incremental Backups: HP SimpleSave performs incremental backups, meaning it backs up only new or changed files after the initial backup.
• No Versioning: It does not keep multiple versions of the same file. If a file changes, the older version is replaced.
• File Structure: It typically stores files in a folder named something like HPSF_Data or SimpleSave Backup.

🔍 How to Locate the First Backup

1. Plug in the Drive: Connect the HP SimpleSave drive to your computer.
2. Browse the Files: Open the drive and look for folders like:
   • HPSF_Data
   • SimpleSave Backup
   • A folder named after your PC's name or user account.
3. Check Timestamps: Inside, you’ll find a folder structure organized by file type or original folder names. Use these tips:
   • Right-click any file > Properties > check the "Created" date. This will help you identify which files came from your first backup.
4. Sort by Date: Use File Explorer’s "Details" view and sort files by:
   • Date created
   • Date modified
     The oldest files are most likely from your first backup.
5. Look for a Log File: Sometimes the backup software leaves a log or manifest file (like .xml, .txt, or .ini). Look for files like:
   • backup.xml
   • manifest.xml
   • SimpleSave.log
     Open it with Notepad to see if it shows a backup history.

⚠️ Important Notes

• There is no actual "first backup folder"; it simply copies files to the folder structure.
• If a file was overwritten and you didn’t manually duplicate the backup or use file versioning software, older versions may not be recoverable.
• If you did not delete or format the drive, your photos/videos might still be on there unless they were overwritten.

If you suspect files were lost:

• Use recovery tools like Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery, or PhotoRec on the HP drive. These tools may help retrieve older deleted files if they haven’t been overwritten.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support