Automatic Backups In Vista

[JSKY]

Keep a ghost-copy backup of your vista environment automatically. You can set it to backups on a daily, weekly or monthly schedule. Make up to the date backups to any media. Your Hard Drive, CD, DVD or a Network Drive. You can make automatic backups of all the Hard Drives installed in your PC.

What's the difference between backing up files by using the Back Up Files wizard and doing it yourself?

When you burn a copy of your files to a CD or DVD or save a copy to an external hard disk, each time you want to do a backup, you have to manually select each file and folder that you want to back up. You also have to remember to regularly back up new or modified files and folders. This can be time-consuming and tedious. When you use the Back Up Files wizard, Windows keeps track of which files and folders are new or modified. Then, when you make a new backup, you can back up all of the data on your computer or just the files that have changed since the last time you made a backup. If you set up automatic backups, Windows regularly backs up your files and folders so that you don't have to remember to do it.

Which Type of files can you backup?

You can choose any of the following.

1. Pictures

2. Music

3. Videos

4. E-Mail

5. Documents

6. TV Shows

7. Compressed Files

8. Additional Files (files that don't fit into any other category).

The Back Up Files wizard backs up the most common file types. The following files are not included:

1. Files that have been encrypted using Encrypting File System (EFS)

Note: EFS is not included in Windows Vista Starter, Windows Vista Home Basic, and Windows Vista Home Premium.

2. System files (the files that Windows needs to run)

3. Program files (programs you have downloaded and installed)

4. Files stored on hard disks that are formatted using the FAT file system

5. Web-based e-mail that is not stored on your hard disk

6. Files that are in the Recycle Bin

7. Temporary files

8. User profile settings

To get started, go to your Start Menu > Programs > Accessories > System Tools, then click on "Backup Status and Configuration".

Now you'll see the Backup Status and Configuration window open. Here you can start to set up automatic backups.

You'll start by clicking on "Change Backup Settings" Here you can fine tune the backups to fit your needs.

First you will be asked where you want to save the backups. And you have numerous choices to your favorite spot.

Once you choose a place to put your backups, click "Next" and choose which Hard Drives you want included in the backup. (if you have more then one drive).

Next will be your choice of file types you want saved. (pictures, video, documents, etc.)

Finally you can choose how often to save backups. (how often, what day, and the time of day you want).

Now you can save your settings and let Vista take care of your backups automatically.

Note: If you get an error while doing a backup and it cannot save backup because a program is running. Look to your Anti-Virus program. If you have your AV set to monitor background applications. You may have to disable this portion to complete a successful backup.

Vista Ultimate goes one step farther. It gives you the option to do a full ghost copy of your complete system. It will reinstall the complete system to the point you made the backup. So if you have to replace your Hard Drive. It will put everything back to the way it was when you made the backup.