Thread: How to use the Backup utility to back up files and folders

How to use the Backup utility to back up files and folders in Windows XP Home Edition

SUMMARY

This explains how to use the Backup utility to back up files and folders on a PC that is running Windows XP Home Edition. Though the Backup utility is added with a defaulting installation of Windows XP, it is manually added with a default installation of Windows XP Home Edition. So, to use the Backup utility, you should first install it.This is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user.

How to install the Backup utility

You should mount the Backup utility, before taking backup of all your information. This utility is added on the Windows XP Home Edition CD.

To install the Backup utility from Windows XP CD:

1. Insert your Windows XP CD into the CD or DVD drive of the PC.
2. Click Exit.
3. Find the CDDrive:\ValueAdd\Msft\Ntbackup folder on the CD.
4. Double-click Ntbackup.msi to install the Backup utility.
5. When the Backup or Restore Wizard prompts you, click Finish.
6. Remove the Windows XP CD.

To back up your files and folders, follow the steps given below:

Step 1: Start the Backup utility

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type ntbackup.exe in the Open box, and then click OK.

Step 2: Select items to back up and select the location for the backup file

1. Click Advanced Mode.
2. Click the Backup tab.
3. On the Job menu, click New.
4. Pick the check boxes next to the drives that you want to back up. If you choose specific files or folders, explore the drive where these files or folders are situated. Then, pick the check boxes for the files or for the folders that you want to back up.
5. Select the System State check box that is situated under My Computer in the navigation pane.
6. If the Backup destination list is available, click the backup destination that you want to use. You can identify a network share as a destination for the backup file. Usually, backup files have the .bkf file name extension. Though, you can use any file name extension that you would like.

Step 3: Start the backup

1. Click Start Backup to open the Backup Job Information dialog box.
2. Under If the media already contains backups, do either of the following:
* If you want to add this backup file to earlier backup files, click Append this backup to the media. This option adds the new backup to the existing backup file so that you can maintain all previous backups in one file. This option is helpful if you ever want to restore a backup from a specific day. Be aware that the size of the backup file will increase with every new backup. You want to monitor the file size to ensure that it does not fill up your hard disk ultimately. If the file becomes too large, you might consider saving the file to an external hard disk. Or, if you are worried about the file using too much hard disk space, choose Replace the data on the media with this backup instead.
* If you want to overwrite earlier backup files with this backup file, click Replace the data on the media with this backup. This option is helpful if you only want to keep the existing backup and do not care about keeping the earlier backups. Or, use this option if you are worried about the file using too much hard disk space on your PC.
3. Click Advanced.
4. Select the Verify data after backup check box.
5. In the Backup Type box, click what kind of backup that you want to form. For each backup type, click backup type and it shows under "Description." You can choose any backup types from following:
* Normal
* Copy
* Incremental
* Differential
* Daily
6. Click OK, and then click Start Backup. A Backup Progress dialog box is shown, and the backup starts.
Step 4: Exit the Backup utility
1. When the backup is complete, click Close.
2. On the Job menu, click Exit.