You can use WIndows Backup to copy important files and folders to a safe place or create a system image that can be used to restore a broken computer. Many people don’t even think about making backups until an emergency happens – and then it’s too late. Don’t be caught out: prepare for the worst before it happens.
Backup And Restore In Windows 7
Backup and Restore is the central hub for most data recovery activities. To get to Backup and Restore, click Start and then type “backup” into the search box.
Click Backup and Restore. The Backup and Restore control panel opens:
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Another way to find the Backup and Restore function is to go there directly by clicking Start > All Programs > Maintenance > Backup and Restore.
The data on your computer refers to things like documents, images and spreadsheets. Data does not include programs. To backup your data, click Set up backup from the Backup and Restore panel. The Set up backup wizard opens:
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Obviously, it makes sense to backup to an external drive, not your internal one, as if your hard drive crashes you won’t be able to restore from it! Select the location you want to backup to and then click Next.
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In this panel you can select the first option to let Windows Backup choose what data gets saved. This will incude data files saved in libraries, on the desktop, and in any folders found in your user folder. (Windows Backup will also create a system image if you choose this option, and then automatically make periodic backups on a schedule going forward.)
If, instead, you choose the option make your own selections and click Next, you will then see a panel like this:
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This expandable view of your file system allows you to select precisely what libraries and folders you want to save. This panel also allows you to create a system image.
When you click Next, the Review your backup screen appears for you to confirm your selections. In addition to making this confirmation, you can also choose a schedule for future backups to run. Click on Change schedule and you’ll see that following panel:
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As you can see, you can control how often (daily, weekly or monthly) your backup runs, and also what day and what time it runs. Once happy with the settings, click Save settings and run backup. All your options will be saved and the backup will start.