I am slightly confused about my backup plan and retention rules

Here is a text version of how I have set mine up:

3 each Backup Definition Files -

Full_MWF.xml (a) Retain 4 Full backups
Linked incremental & diff images will also be deleted

Diff_TTSS.xml (b) Retain 5 Diff backups
stored in: D:\Macriun Reflect Backups\The450\

• Mon Full 7am (a)
• Tues Diff 7:15am (b)
• Wed Full 7am (a)
• Thurs Diff 7:15am (b)
• Fri Full 7am (a)
• Sat Diff 7:15am (b)
• Sun Diff 7:15am (b)

-----------------------------------------------
Monthly.xml Full backup, 1pm on the first Monday
of every month. Retain 2 Full images.
stored in: D:\Macriun Reflect Backups\Monthly\

Still doing testing to see if I have things right.

It's difficult to make recommendations without knowing your needs for backup data. I normally don't recommend differentials for users unless they have a compelling need for differentials.
Generally I recommend full system backups, retaining 2-4 of them, and doing your data backups with a file synchronizing program such as Free File Sync.
But this assumes having your disks are organized for that. A little work up front in organizing your system and data can greatly simplify your imaging.

Clive K said:

It's difficult to make recommendations without knowing your needs for backup data. I normally don't recommend differentials for users unless they have a compelling need for differentials.
Generally I recommend full system backups, retaining 2-4 of them, and doing your data backups with a file synchronizing program such as Free File Sync.
But this assumes having your disks are organized for that. A little work up front in organizing your system and data can greatly simplify your imaging.

I have had a little think about what you said in regards to my needs of backing up. I have 2 external HD's. One is for University (Uni HD) and the other recent purchase is for Macrium backup (Macrium HD).

I have recently manually copied and pasted photos/docs/University work etc that I have/edit on my PC, and transfer it onto my Uni HD. So as soon as I make edits to my work on my PC, at the end of each day, I manually copy and paste edited word doc/uni work etc to the external Uni HD. So that is always backed up. (sorry I just repeated myself probably)

So I probably dont really need to make a 'differential' backup everyday (I have actually skipped the past few days).

As also previously mentioned, my Macrium HD is only 2TB. My PC internal HD is also 2TB (just under half way full), so my Macrium HD can only really fit 2 full backups and a few differential.

As I manually backup new/edited documents, photos, uni work etc from PC to my Uni HD, is there a need for daily differential backups? Shall I just run 1 monthly and 3 weekly differential? Not sure how long I would keep these for

Thanks and apologies for long message and delayed response

I see a full image of +900 megabytes above, which is probably comprised of videos. Do you need to image that?
Probably not. The most overlooked aspect of imaging is that it should be fast enough so that it is not a chore, and the key to that is keeping the "system" separate - that is, on a different disk - from data that can be backed up by other means.
You have everything on one disk, so unless you add another disk for your "system," Unless you need to keep every version of your work I recommend you stop doing the differentials and continue backing up your work manually.
You have a full image everything as of the date you made that image.
If you want further advice, just ask.

Clive K said:

I see a full image of +900 megabytes above, which is probably comprised of videos. Do you need to image that?
Probably not. The most overlooked aspect of imaging is that it should be fast enough so that it is not a chore, and the key to that is keeping the "system" separate - that is, on a different disk - from data that can be backed up by other means.
You have everything on one disk, so unless you add another disk for your "system," Unless you need to keep every version of your work I recommend you stop doing the differentials and continue backing up your work manually.
You have a full image everything as of the date you made that image.
If you want further advice, just ask.

Thanks for the advice Clive.

-I wont need to keep using "differential image" to backup photos, videos etc as I do that manually to my University HD. (So you are right in saying this!)
-My first full image took about 13 hours which is annoying. Unfortunately I cannot afford an SSD to put my "system" on seperate, so I believe I will just have to create the full images once every month?
-The reason why I kept backing up using 'differential' image is because every time I edited my work, I presumed I would need to run the differential but sounds like thats not the case..?.

So you say to backup my work manually, which is what I will do. I also keep creating a 'full image'​ every month of my whole PC?

If you have a good means of backing up your data manually, the only reason to image is to back up your "system."
If it took me 13 hours to make a "system" image, I doubt I would make one.
I would simply reinstall Windows and my applications if I needed to. But that's a decision for you. Next time you have the opportunity to set up your computer you should set up a system partition for your system and apps. Then you'll have an easier time imaging.

Ah sorry for the delay in response, was super busy with University degree show. I have had a look at the latest posts and it seems understandable and probably the right path to take; create separate partitions.

I was even thinking about reinstalling Windows on my PC and then just reinstalling the necessary programmes, but it seems like such an effort right now. Also, my PC is fine atm so I dont really want to do all that installing again.

Is it possible even now to create 2 partions; 1 for OS and the other for Documents/Games/software downloads? etc. Or can you only do that if you reinstall Windows?

Thank you!