CyberGuru - Help Desk - How-to Guides - Backing up important files in Windows Backup

Helpdesk - How-to Guides - Backing up important files in Windows Backup

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Backing up is something that is put off by many, and then when it is most needed it is often wished “why didn’t I have a recent backup?”. Depending on the type of work you do, daily backups could “save your bacon” at some stage in your computer’s lifetime. How often you need to work with important files depends on how often you need to back up. Windows Backup enables you to create backups on a secondary hard disk, tape or portable USB drive, but does not support CD or DVD burners.

Installing Windows Backup:

Please note that if you are running Windows XP Home Edition, then you will need to install Windows Backup before you can use it.

	Insert your Windows XP into your computer’s CD-ROM drive.
	If the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP window appears, close it.
	Click Start, then Run….
	In the Open: box, type x:\valueadd\msft\ntbackup\ntbackup.msi, where x is your CD-ROM drive.
	The Windows Backup Utility Installation window will appear advising that Windows Backup Utility Installation wizard has finished. Click Finish.

Using Windows Backup to back up files:

	Click Start.
	Point to All Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools.
	Click Backup.
	On the Welcome to Backup or Restore Wizard window, click Next >.
	On the Backup or Restore window, ensure you have “Back up files and settings” selected and click Next >.
	On the What to Back Up window, click All information on this computer, and click Next >.
	On the Backup Type, Destination, and Name window, click Choose a place to save your backup, and select the place you wish to save your backup, and click Next >. Please note: CyberGuru recommends these files be stored away from your computer, such as a portable USB drive. Windows Backup does not support DVDs.
	On the Completing the Backup or Restore Wizard window, click Finish. Side note: You can automatically schedule backups by clicking on the Advanced….
	Windows Backup will then back up your files. Once the backup has finished, you will be able to view a report what the backup performed.

Using Windows Backup to back up files:

The backup can be restored by using running Windows Backup and choosing Restore files and settings and following the wizard.