Backup data in Windows Vista

Every day, many people who use computers lose important data for many different reasons: computers infected with viruses, hardware & software errors, source file errors . To keep documents from being lost when If unexpected problems occur, you can create a backup copy that can be easily restored when needed. Using Windows Vista's Backup and Restore feature, you can easily backup your personal files as well as the entire system. You can create a backup manually or use the automatic backup scheduling feature to save files and edit new files.

In this article, I will show you how to create data backups. In the upcoming articles, we will show how to recover that backup data.

In the search box in the Start menu enter ' backup ' (without double-clicking) and click the Backup and Restore Center shortcut. You can also go to this section via the Control Panel -> System and Maintenance -> Backup and Restore Center .

The Backup and Restore Center interface has two main parts: one for file backup and one for recovery.

In the previous section (file backup) there are two options: Back up files and Back up computer . The first option will create backups of individual files and folders, while the second option is to create complete backups for the entire system. We recommend that you create backups for the entire computer immediately after installing the machine for the first time. Windows Vista will take a snapshot of all the programs, settings and files on the computer. You can use this snapshot if the computer repeatedly fails and restore it to its original state.

Backup for individual files and folders

To start this procedure, click the Back up files button and the program will start.

In the Back Up Files window you will have to select the location to save the backup. You can select a partition (drive) from the hard drive, a CD, DVD or a shared folder in the network. Select the appropriate location and click Next

In the next window you will see a list that includes all partitions except one selected to determine where to save the backup file. The partition that Windows Vista has been installed will be selected by default. Now you can select or exclude other partitions from the backup process. After selecting, click Next .

The program will ask you to select the type of file you want to backup. You can choose any file type: photos, music, videos, emails, documents tv shows, compressed files or new files. After selecting the type of file you want to backup, click Next .

In the next window you will be asked about the regularity of the backup process. You can choose daily, weekly . Backup scheduling will only apply to backing up newly created files and newly edited files.

Create the settings you need and click Save settings and start backup .

The backup process will start. First it will create a shadow copy, then check the selected partition for files and folders, eventually it will create a backup as required.

Depending on the system and the amount of data to backup, the process will take a few minutes or a few hours. You can stop the backup at any time by clicking Stop backup .

When the backup is complete, you will see a small message appear in the bottom corner of the screen.

Reset the calendar or turn off automatic backup

If you want to change the settings of the automatic backup, go to Backup and Restore Center and click on the Change settings link under the Backup files button.

Alternatively, you can use the search dialog on the Start menu, enter ' backup ' and click the Backup Status and Configuration shortcut.

The Backup Status and Configuration window will open. Here you will see the latest information about backups.

If you want to create a new backup, click the Backup now button. To change the current settings, click the Change back up settings button. Please note that if you want to change the settings, you will have to do all the steps described in the previous section: select the drives, select the file type, the scheduling plan and finally you will have to choose if you want to create one. New backup or save newly edited settings.

If you want to disable automatic backup, click Turn off .

When you have finished the last step for setting up changes, you can close the window.

Create a PC backup

To create a backup of the entire computer, go to the Backup and Restore Center and click the Back up computer to get started.

The program will start and you will be asked where you want to save the backup. You can choose a hard drive or save to CD / DVD. Make sure you have enough CDs / DVDs or the amount of hard disk space you need, after you have made the necessary choices, click Next .

In the next window you will need to select the partition you want to include in the backup. Select the partitions to backup and click Next .

In the last window, the program will display a summary of the backup settings you have selected: the backup location and the drive to backup. In the Backup location field you will see the number of DVDs needed or the amount of hard disk space needed to save the backup.

Click on the Start backup button and the process will begin.

Note : This article is instructed when UAC is turned off. If your computer is in UAC-enabled mode, you will have to make some additional confirmation of the necessary changes.

The Backup and Restore feature for all computers will not be available in Windows Vista Home Basic or Windows Vista Home Premium.