The Windows XP Backup utility allows you to create a copy of the information on your hard disk, so you can use it encase of emergency at a later time. The Backup utility (sometimes referred to as NTBackup, as it has been around for many years) supports five methods of backing up your data, backing up to many types of media, and also allows you to restore your previous backed up files and/or settings.

 

 

 

To open Backup, click the Start Button; browse to All Programs, Accessories, and System Tools; and select Backup.          

 

 

As you can see above the Backup utility opens a window titled Backup or Restore Wizard. The first window of the Backup or Restore Wizard gives a summary of the Backup program and gives you an option to start in Wizard Mode or Advanced mode. For our purposes we will stay in Wizard mode. Click the Next button to continue to the next window.

 

 

This window of the Backup or Restore Wizard asks you what you want to do. The options are:

 

• Back up files and settings: Allows you to go through the process of backing up your files and/or settings.
• Restore files and settings: Allows you to go through the process of restoring previous backed up files and/or settings.

 

Let’s select the option “Back up files and settings” and click Next to continue.

 

 

The next available window of the Backup or Restore Wizard allows you to select the type of back up you would like to perform. The options are:

 

• My documents and settings: Includes your user’s My Documents and Favourites folders, desktop, and cookies.

• Everyone’s documents and settings: Includes every user’s My Documents and Favourites folders, desktop, and cookies.

• All information on this computer: Includes all data on the computer and creates a system recovery disk in case of a major operating system failure.

• Let me choose what to backup: Allows you to specifically choose what to back up.

 

Let’s select the radio button option My documents and settings and click Next to continue.

 

 

The next window prompts you for a file location and file name. Click Next to continue.

 

 

This is the final window of the Backup or Restore Wizard. This window gives you a summary of the previous backup settings you have applied. Review your settings and click the Finish button to exit the wizard and create the backup, or click the Back button to make changes.