The Windows operating system comes with several utilities that can help you to solve or prevent computer problems. One such tool is the Backup and Restore Center that comes with Windows Vista. Windows XP Professional has a similar option though if you have Windows XP Home, you will need to install the backup utility from your installation disks.
In Windows Vista, the Backup and Restore Center is located in the Control Panel. In addition, you can go to the Start button, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and choose Backup Status and Configuration.
First, you will need to turn on automatic file backups. Do this by clicking on the “Set up automatic file backup” link.
The utility will then scan your computer for backup locations such as a DVD-R drive. Next, you will see a list of file types to backup including photos, videos, music, documents, e-mail, TV shows, compressed files, and other files. Make your selection and click to the next screen.
The next screen allows you to set up an automatic schedule for backing up your data. You will need to make sure to place the media device in the selected drive. For example, if you’ve set up the backup to write to the DVD drive, make sure that you have a blank DVD inserted in the drive.
The built-in backup utility is pretty basic but it’s easy to use. It is designed to make backups of data files - not system or program files. The utility will make a full backup the first time you run it followed by incremental backups according to your schedule. For example, during subsequent backups, the utility will only backup files that have been changed since the previous backup. This reduces redundancy and ensures that your changes have been backed up.
As you make backups, you’ll eventually have several disks with various backups. Label your disks carefully with dates so that you know which one is the most current. You may want to store a copy off site so that you have a backup of your data in case your house burns down or some other calamity strikes.
If your computer completely crashes and you have lost data, you can easily restore your data files from your backup. To do so, go into the Backup and Restore Center and click on Restore Files and follow the prompts. Make sure to insert the correct disk.
Remember, your data is only as good as the last backup so schedule frequent backups at regular intervals.
Microsoft product screen shot(s) reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation.
View the whole series of System Tools Articles:
- System Tools: Disk Cleanup
- System Tools: Defragmenter
- System Tools: System Restore
- System Tools: Backup and Restore
- System Tools: System Information
- System Tools: Windows Easy Transfer
- System Tools: Control Panel
- System Tools: Task Scheduler
Celeste Stewart | July 30th, 2008
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