Windows Backup Basics
Windows - Backup Basics - Windows View OnlineWhat should I backup? A: Your Windows Boot Drive
1] Your C: Hard Drive as a bootable backup (this is called a Bootable Drive Disk Image).
Why should I backup my bootable Hard Drive?
* If your computer refuses to start Windows, a bootable backup allows you to recover to the last saved bootable backup.
Why can’t I just use System Restore to revert to last known good System Backup?
* This sometimes Does Not Work. Especially, if the problem is a failing Hard Drive, that needs replacing.
Why can’t I just use the System Restore CDs or special partition recovery that came with the computer?
* This will revert the computer as it was out of the box. Your added software will need to be re-installed. Your files and information will be lost, if they are NOT backed up.
What should I backup? A: Your Documents and Settings folder
2] Your user’s Documents and Settings is on your Boot Drive C:.
Why should I backup my Documents and Settings? If I make a bootable backup in Step 1], they will be backed up.
Step 1] is done once, or every 6 months, or after installing new software. It will not be current.
What should I backup? A: Your other saved files
3] Your files that are NOT stored in Documents and Settings on your Boot Drive C:.
Why wouldn’t my files be in my Documents and Settings?
* If you save your files to someplace other than your Desktop, your My Documents, your My Music, your My Pictures, or directly into your Documents and Settings folder - they are NOT in Documents and Settings.
* Your files could be loose on Drive C: or on another partition or another drive (either internal or external)
Where should I backup?
1] An external hard drive is most common. Another internal hard drive for desktop computers is also common. You can find Today's best deals at DealNews - DealMac - NewEgg
Depending on the SIZE of your file collection, an external or additional internal drive is inexpensive - $65 to $100.
What size is my file collection?
Right click on your Documents and Settings folder and choose Properties in the menu.
Where is my Documents and Settings folder?
Boot Drive C: > Documents and Settings > [your username] folder (Mine is 2.25Gb today.)
2] A USB flash (thumb) drive may be large enough. May2010 the largest sizes are 32Gb, 64Gb, and 128Gb..
3] A CD (700Mb) or DVD (4.3Gb) or DVD-DL (8.5Gb) may be large enough for your files.
4] Another computer at your location can be used.
5] A network storage device at your location can work about NAS
6] A neighbor’s or friend’s computer can be used. (If both has a fast internet connection) CrashPlan
7] An internet file storage service. Mozy or Carbonite or SkyDrive with Windows Live Account.
What Windows Backup Software should I use?
1] For your boot drive backup to disk image I recommend. Macrium Reflect (FREE)
2] For your documents and files, I recommend GFI Backup (FREE) or SyncBack
3] For your documents and files, another choice is Cobian Backup 9 (FREE)
Howto Backup with Cobian
This is a Simple Guide for Average Users
This is a simple guide, just designed to GET you to backup.
I do Data Recovery and sometimes the outcome is sad.
I test backup utilities before I recommend them.
Reliable, simple, and inexpensive are part of my requirements.
The software linked in this article will have reviews and recommendations by users.
For Further info, just email me [email protected]
1] Your C: Hard Drive as a bootable backup (this is called a Bootable Drive Disk Image).
Why should I backup my bootable Hard Drive?
* If your computer refuses to start Windows, a bootable backup allows you to recover to the last saved bootable backup.
Why can’t I just use System Restore to revert to last known good System Backup?
* This sometimes Does Not Work. Especially, if the problem is a failing Hard Drive, that needs replacing.
Why can’t I just use the System Restore CDs or special partition recovery that came with the computer?
* This will revert the computer as it was out of the box. Your added software will need to be re-installed. Your files and information will be lost, if they are NOT backed up.
What should I backup? A: Your Documents and Settings folder
2] Your user’s Documents and Settings is on your Boot Drive C:.
Why should I backup my Documents and Settings? If I make a bootable backup in Step 1], they will be backed up.
Step 1] is done once, or every 6 months, or after installing new software. It will not be current.
What should I backup? A: Your other saved files
3] Your files that are NOT stored in Documents and Settings on your Boot Drive C:.
Why wouldn’t my files be in my Documents and Settings?
* If you save your files to someplace other than your Desktop, your My Documents, your My Music, your My Pictures, or directly into your Documents and Settings folder - they are NOT in Documents and Settings.
* Your files could be loose on Drive C: or on another partition or another drive (either internal or external)
Where should I backup?
1] An external hard drive is most common. Another internal hard drive for desktop computers is also common. You can find Today's best deals at DealNews - DealMac - NewEgg
Depending on the SIZE of your file collection, an external or additional internal drive is inexpensive - $65 to $100.
What size is my file collection?
Right click on your Documents and Settings folder and choose Properties in the menu.
Where is my Documents and Settings folder?
Boot Drive C: > Documents and Settings > [your username] folder (Mine is 2.25Gb today.)
2] A USB flash (thumb) drive may be large enough. May2010 the largest sizes are 32Gb, 64Gb, and 128Gb..
3] A CD (700Mb) or DVD (4.3Gb) or DVD-DL (8.5Gb) may be large enough for your files.
4] Another computer at your location can be used.
5] A network storage device at your location can work about NAS
6] A neighbor’s or friend’s computer can be used. (If both has a fast internet connection) CrashPlan
7] An internet file storage service. Mozy or Carbonite or SkyDrive with Windows Live Account.
What Windows Backup Software should I use?
1] For your boot drive backup to disk image I recommend. Macrium Reflect (FREE)
2] For your documents and files, I recommend GFI Backup (FREE) or SyncBack
3] For your documents and files, another choice is Cobian Backup 9 (FREE)
Howto Backup with Cobian
This is a Simple Guide for Average Users
This is a simple guide, just designed to GET you to backup.
I do Data Recovery and sometimes the outcome is sad.
I test backup utilities before I recommend them.
Reliable, simple, and inexpensive are part of my requirements.
The software linked in this article will have reviews and recommendations by users.
For Further info, just email me [email protected]