Computing on Demand PC News & Reviews
Highlight Removable Disk and click Next
If you are less adventurous you can let Windows decide what to backup, however, I prefer to have a little more control over what gets done. Select Let me choose and click Next.
If you let Windows choose what is backed up, the following items are included in your backup:
- Data files that are saved in libraries, on the desktop, and in default Windows folders for all people with a user account on the computer.
- Notes
- Only local files in libraries are included in the backup. If you have files in a library that are saved on a drive located on a different computer on a network, on the Internet, on the same drive that you are saving the backup on, or on a drive that is not formatted using the NTFS file system, they aren’t included in the backup.
- Default Windows folders include AppData, Contacts, Desktop, Downloads, Favorites, Links, Saved Games, and Searches.
- If the drive you are saving your backup on is formatted using the NTFS file system and has enough disk space, a system image of your programs, Windows, and all drivers and registry settings are also included in the backup. This image can be used to restore the contents of your computer if your hard drive or computer stops working.
I am of the opinion that a system image is the way to go instead of just backing up personal data. If a software disaster were to occur, it is a royal pain in the patootie to reinstall your OS, your applications, and configure all of your settings again. A system image allows you to restore your system back to an operating state with all of your applications, settings, and files as if nothing had ever happened. The only thing you need to be sure of is that you are restoring an “uninfected” backup should your issues be a result of some malicious software. If you should choose not to run a backup using the System Image option, you can run this system image type backup at any time from the main backup and restore screen on an “as needed” basis.
Thanks for sharing, if you want to save your time you can use backup software like Handy Backup, it’s easy to use and reliable backup software for Windows 7. It allows backup files, databases, Exchange, Windows Server and others.
I personally prefer Acronis, but with the built in backup features in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 at least those that do not know can now get something in the works to protect themselves. I constantly ask people the magic question when their OS craps out…. "Do you have a backup?", the answer is almost ALWAYS a "No…"