Where is this file or folder stored? I can't seem to find it anywhere on my computer. TIA for your response.

I am assuming you are working in a Windows environment:

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup

on my XP Lap Top there is:
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer\SyncServices\Local

Thanks Folks. Windows 7 is quite a bit different, but I eventually found it.

You can find even more info about backups and syncing at this link.

iPad: About backups

When you follow twerppoet's link it tells you how to delete the "iPad backup". May I assume that is the most recent backup?

Windows 7: When I go to the folder UserName\AppData\Roaming\AppleComputer\MobileSync\ Backup\and a very long number , contained in that final folder are what appear to be numerous backups dated prior to the backup I made today.

The older backups equal 10gb; is there any reason not to delete all of the backups - each backup consists of numerous files - prior to the current backup?

Thanks.

The easier way to delete a backup is to do it through iTunes. Open Preferences in iTunes, select the Devices tab. It will show you all your devices and their backups. You can select and delete them. There is only one backup per device. iTunes does not keep multiple backups (and most of us wish it would).

The numerous folders are just parts of each backup. If you drill down far enough you come to files full of the gobbledygook iTunes creates in order to minimize space, and encrypt the files (if you've got the option turned on).

Originally Posted by twerppoet

The easier way to delete a backup is to do it through iTunes. Open Preferences in iTunes, select the Devices tab. It will show you all your devices and their backups. You can select and delete them. There is only one backup per device. iTunes does not keep multiple backups (and most of us wish it would).

The numerous folders are just parts of each backup. If you drill down far enough you come to files full of the gobbledygook iTunes creates in order to minimize space, and encrypt the files (if you've got the option turned on).

While I have no knowledge to disagree, I must respectfully disagree!

In the folder I indicated there are files from multiple dates and times:

23/08 9:39am - 16 files
23/08 9:17am - 65 files
22/08 - 35 files
14/08 - 14 files
...
1/12/10 - 13 files

Total files: - 1,391 files = 9.89gb

Mate, are you saying that all of those files are from only one backup?

Are you suggesting that if I used the iTunes facility to delete the backup for my iPad, only one device is reported in iTunes, it would delete all 1,391 files?

I am not ready to do this until I understand as best as possible.

Thanks for your assistance.

I suppose I could be wrong, but the one-backup-per-device info is what Apple says, not idle speculation on my part. Or there may be an undisclosed bug that keeps old backups, or Apple stores past backups but does not tell you about them, or give you access.

But I think the explanation is simpler.

After the first backup, all following backups are incremental. That means that iTunes only changes/deletes/adds files that have changed since the last backup. You probably have files as old as your very first backup, as well as some from your most recent.

I do not know exactly how Apple does the backups, but yes, those files are (almost certainly) for just that one backup. In order to do incremental backups it is probably easier to have bunches of files (so you can just change the ones that need it) instead of one huge file that you would have to load modify and save again.

As for whether you delete the backups via iTunes, it's up to you. But if you are wanting to get rid of the backup anyway, what have you got to lose? You've already decided to trash it, so if it does not delete the whole thing you can always go back to the folder and finish the job. iTunes is smart enough to create the folder again when it is gone. It had to do so for the first backup.

.
Talking of backing up:

Is iTunes auto-backup as it starts a sync on a Win-7 computer the best/only way to backup your data, apps, and configuration?

With the auto-iTunes-backup can one restore specific data or apps if they are lost or corrupted?

I've googled “backup iPad” and haven't been able to find a definitive answer.

This iPad 2 is my first, and so far, only Apple item and coming for decades of MS, and before that CP/M, things can sometimes be a bit confusing, to say the least. (Must say I am REALLY liking my iPad 2!)
.