I don't think we should backup using the bundle format.
But I do use bundle files a lot, and again, only to shrink the size of the song down to exactly I need.
In the CWP format, things get stored after you edit, delete, bouncing, rebouncing, etc...
Even if I use the clean audio file, things were still there.
Only saving in the bundle file format will get rid of unwanted stuff.
But here is the catcher. right after I save the song to bundle, to shrink down the size of the file, I reopen it and save it in the CWP format into a new directory, then to an external USB drive, then reopen from the external drive twice just to be safe.
After CW came out with Per Project Folder, using bundle files might not be the safest way to backup your work.
Yes CW want us to use bundle to send a project back and forth, but you can achieve the same thing by compressing the whole folder using Rar, and then send it.
With bundle files, a single hiccup will stop it from loading.
I have not lost a single song in 10 years yet, using 3 external USB drives to backup. Talking about OCD. Ha ha.
dan
 

We keep hearing about issues but I've never had an issue with a bundle file.
I wonder if a virus scanner is interfering ...
 

Its incorrect info that bundle files wont load if plugins are missing. The load is no different from CWP in this regard.
Regarding the hang is anyone can repro it or post a sample project well fix it.

I think what Dan has done is brilliant and I agree with his idea.
Other than stripping files of unwanted data there is no longer any point to bundle files.
You need to take command of your storage and keep everything in proper manageable folders.
 
Those folders should exist in more than one or 2 locations. 
Hard drives are cheap and huge. I am not at all worried about the size of my project folders any more. 
I both perform "save as" to extra drive locations as well as drag and drop entire folders with 20 songs in them to other locations. 
I've been doing this for 10 years and never have lost or had a project go sideways. 

Bundles files are great for portability. I use them on wetransfer.com all the time. And you know the person at the other end will have everything. It's quick and easy.

I don't see it as a storage medium.

Noel (and all)... I have been trying to collaborate on a project with Jan on her "Impromptu" song (see the "Songs" Forum), and she has sent me the tune in CWB format several times, both with and without the Ozone 4 plugin.
She sends the file to me via the "WeTransfer" website which works perfectly for me on all other files. 
After I download the file and try to start Sonar Platinum with it, it will load the guitar audio file, but the synth/MIDI tracks never show up, and the whole program freezes and I have to do the Cntrl-AltDel thing to get out of Sonar.
 
So we have given up on the collaboration for now.  Help?  (Others have recommended to not use the bundle file, but ZIP it up and send it.)  Storage is not the issue. It's sharing between computers.
 
I apologize if I have hijacked this thread pencilartist.

If the bundle is still on WeTransfer that is ideal for troubleshooting. Can send Noel a PM with a link to it (if still there).

I sent Noel a PM with the download link.