Once you
have made the decision to backup your data the next step is deciding what to
backup. You can backup your entire hard drive or just certain files and
settings. Most people will want to backup the items I have listed below. Each user is different. What you backup
depends on what programs you have installed and what files you have created.
Documents
folder: When you use your computer to create files it is important to
understand the file system and use it correctly. On a Windows computer the
default location to save the files you create is the Documents folder. It is a
good idea to save all of your important data in that folder. The reason being
is that if you save all or most of the files and folders you create in your
Documents folder it makes backing up very simple. Everything you need to backup
is in that one location. Saving your data in your Documents folder also makes
it very easy to find what you are looking for. You want to think of the filing
system on your computer like a filing cabinet you have in your office. Your hard
drive is the filing cabinet. Your Documents folder is like a drawer in the
filing cabinet, the additional folders you create in your Documents folder are
like the file folders in the drawer and the files you create are the documents
inside of the folder. If you organize your computer the same way you would a
filing cabinet it will be easy to find and backup your documents.
Favorites, Bookmarks
and Email: Backup your favorites and bookmarks in your browser.
If you use
an online email mail program the information is stored online, but if you use a
local email client like Outlook, Windows Live Mail or Thunderbird your mail and
other information is stored locally, on your hard drive. Backup that
information. You can backup your email messages, mail account and your address
book.
Downloads: If
you download and save programs that folder can be included in the backup.
Desktop
items: Instead of saving files directly to your desktop, create shortcuts to
the documents you want to see there.
Settings:
Many programs allow you to export and save settings.
Pictures,
music and video: Pictures, music and video files can take up a lot of room. The
files are generally very large so depending on how many you have you may need a
large external hard drive or several DVD’s to backup that data. Never store
your only copy of the pictures you take on your smart phone, tablet or camera. Those
devices are also prone to data loss. Always copy the pictures you take to your
computer so that they are included in your backup.
If you have
been working on your computer, creating files, receiving important email
messages, scheduling appointments on your calendar and so on it would be a good
idea to run a backup that day. Any time you make important or major changes to
your computer backup your data. It is also a good idea to backup your data
before installing or uninstalling programs or before you download and install Windows
Updates.
Understanding
how to backup is important. There are many different ways to backup your computer.
You can do it manually or use a program to automate the process. You can back
up the entire operating system, your data and settings or just certain files or
folders. A few things you want to keep in mind.
Never backup
your data to your main hard drive. You want to have copies of all of your
important files, folders and other data in at least two separate physical locations.
Three copies is even better. Remember that a partition on your hard drive is
still part of the same hard drive so if the drive were to fail all partitions
would be lost.
Disaster
recovery. It is a good idea to keep a backup in a separate physical location,
away from your home. You can store a backup at a trusted relative’s home or in
a safety deposit box at your bank or credit union.
Size of
backup. You need to calculate the total size of your backup. Then buy media
that will allow for that size with space left over. As you use your computer
the size of your backup will grow.
You can
backup to a separate internal hard drive, an external hard drive a CD or DVD or
if you have a home network setup you can use another computer on the network as
a backup location. USB flash drives are
sometimes used for backups. They are great for moving files between computers
or storing portable applications and documents but I would not feel safe
depending on a USB flash drive for backing up my important data. There are also
web sites that offer free storage. I would not recommend using these sites as
your only location for backing up your data. The sites can go down at any time
or the owner of the web site can close the site without notice. Never put any
confidential information on a file hosting site. File hosting sites are great
for music, pictures, video files, bookmarks and favorites, downloads and other data
that is not confidential. There are many web sites available that offer free
online storage. Some are for graphic files, some music and others just files in
general. You simply go to the web site
and sign up for a free account.
Google
Drive: When you sign up for a Google account you have access to Gmail, Google
Docs, Google Drive and more. Google Drive offers 15 GB of storage space. https://drive.google.com/
Dropbox:
Dropbox is a file hosting & file sharing site. Dropbox offers 2GB of free
storage. You can get 500MB of additional storage space for each referral you
make. https://www.dropbox.com/
PhotoBucket:
Offers 1 GB of free storage. Photobucket is a media-sharing and hosting site
that also allows users to upload video clips, edit them using Adobe Remix, and
create profiles and portfolios to share.
File Factory:
File Factory is a free file sharing service which lets you host files up
to 300MB for free. You don't have to register or install any special software.
All files are uploaded through your browser.
Once you decide where you are going to backup you can do it manually or
use a backup program to automate the process.
Windows XP and Windows Vista have built in backup utilities. You can
read more about those here. http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/data/backup.mspx
The backup will create a single file. You use the file to restore your
data.
Karen’s Replicator
Karen’s Replicator video tutorial
Cobian Backup is another free backup utility. It is very simple to use
and gets excellent reviews.
Cobian Backup
Cobian Backup tutorial
Cobian Backup user forum
There are
programs available that will allow you to clone your entire hard drive. Cloning
will make an exact image of everything on your hard drive. You save that image
to another location. If you hard drive were to fail you would have an exact
backup of your operating system with all of the programs, updates and files intact.
Drive Image
XML: http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm
Using Windows Backup Utility
Windows XP
Click start
> all programs > accessories > system tools > backup.
The backup
and restore wizard will open.
Click next.
Choose
backup files and settings in the next window.
Click next.
In the next
window you will be able to choose what you want to backup. You can choose to backup only your documents
and settings, documents and settings from all user accounts, all information on
the computer or just the files and folders you choose. Put a check in the
option you want and click next.
The next
window will be different depending on what you chose to backup but you will be
prompted to choose a location for the backup and to give the backup a name.
Choose the options you want.
Click next.
Click next
and then finish. The backup will begin.
Windows Vista
Click start
> all programs > accessories > system tools > backup status and
configuration.
The backup
status and configuration window will open.
In the left
pane choose backup files or complete PC backup.
Choose the
option you want and choose change backup settings.
A window
will open that will allow you to choose a location for your backup.
Choose the
location you want.
Click next.
The next window
will allow you to choose what you want to backup. Select the options you want.
Click next.
In the next
window choose how often you want the backup to take place. Choose the options
you want and click save settings and backup.
The backup
will begin.
Windows 7
Click start
> control panel > backup and restore. Or click start, in the search
window type backup and restore.
The backup
and restore window will open.
Click setup
backup.
Windows will
scan for any available hard drives and display the results. You also have the
option to backup to a network location.
Choose the
drive or network location you want to use to store the backup.
You will
have the option to let Windows choose or let me choose. I recommend choosing
the option “let me choose” that option allows you to choose exactly what you
would like to backup and gives you more control over the backup. Note: If
you choose the option “let windows choose”, the program files folder will not
be included in the backup. Anything
formatted with the FAT file system will not be backed up or temp files that are
larger than 1GB.
Select let
me choose. Click next.
In the next
window select the items you want to backup. You will also have the option to
create an image of your local drive. Click next.
In the next
window review the backup to be sure it is correct.
Click the
schedule link to specify the time and day the backup should occur. You can
change the schedule later.
Click save
settings and run backup.
The backup
process will begin. The progress window will allow you to monitor the backup
and see when it is complete.
When the
backup is complete you will have 2 items in the folder you chose to save the
backup. One will be the image file (If you chose that option) the other will be
the folder containing the files you included in the backup.
The backup
will run automatically on the schedule you chose.
Restore Windows 7 Backup
Click start
> control panel > backup and restore. Or click start, in the search
window type backup and restore.
The backup
and restore window will open.
Click
restore my files.
In the next
window click browse for files or browse for folders.
In the next
window you can choose to restore the files to the original location or choose
another location on your computer to restore the files to.
Click
restore.
Manage Backup Size
Click start
> control panel > backup and restore. Or click start, in the search
window type backup and restore.
Click
options > manage backup disk space.
You will see
a summary of the backup locations and how much space is being used for each
backup.
Click the
view backup’s button to view each dated backup. You will have the option to
delete any backups you no longer need.
To delete a
backup select the backup in the list. Click the delete button.
You will
also have the option to manage system image backups. Click the change settings
button in the system image area.
Choose the
option you want and apply the setting.
Windows 8 & Windows 8.1
Windows 8 & Windows 8.1 offer several backup and restore options.
You can refresh Windows without losing your personal data. You can also start
over by resetting your computer to factory settings. You can use File History
to back up the files on your PC in the Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, and
Desktop folders. You can use System Image Backup like you did in previous version
of Windows.
Read more about Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 backup options here.
Working with
and backing up Internet Explorer favorites
Backup and restore
Firefox bookmarks and profile information
Backup and
restore Outlook Express data
Backup and
restore Windows Live Mail data
Import and
export Outlook data
Backup
Thunderbird
Backup
iTunes Library
Backup Yahoo
Online Mail Messages
