How To Create A Backup of your computer data using Windows XP

Windows XP Professional Tip

We all know how important it is to backup your data on your computer, but did you know that Windows can do it for you. Follow these steps to create your backup.

1. Go to the Start Menu at the bottom left corner
2. Choose All Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools, and finally Backup
3. The Backup and Restore Wizard will appear. Here you can choose to either Backup or Restore
4. Click next
5. Then you must choose what to backup. Select the one you want and click next. A screen will appear according to your choice.

• My Documents and settings only
• Everyone's Documents and Settings
• All the information on your computer, making a complete recovery disk. (wow)
• Let me choose what to backup 

6. The you must choose where to save your backup file. I usually save it on the desktop so I can transfer it to a disk for safe keeping.
7. Click finish to start the backup process

Extra Tips

• Create a restore disk of your entire computer when it is clean and freshly formatted. Only have your usual programs installed and all of your settings in place. This way you can use this backup restoration as a system overhaul and clean out.
• Once you have made the first entire backup of your system, then when you build up your own personal data on your computer, just backup that. Then you can just choose to backup only My Documents and not the whole computer, because that takes along time.
• To Restore a backup file choose Restore in the first step and choose the file you want to restore.