How to use Backup and Restore in Windows 7

The Backup and Restore feature of Windows 7 allows you to protect your computer by making copies of the data files, folders, libraries and drives. It also allows you to restore your system to an earlier point of time. You can take the whole system backup or can choose the files, folders or drives. You can also setup a schedule for taking automatic backups for your system. The schedule can be turned on and Off. With this feature you can:

• Set up Backup
• Create an Image Backup
• Create a system recovery disc

Steps to take Backup in Windows 7

1. Click the Start button to view the Start Menu and then choose the Control Panel option.

2. The Control Panel window opens up.

Now click on the System and Security link in this window.

3. The System and Security section of Control Panel opens up and you can see the direct link for the Backup and Restore.

4. Click on the Backup and Restore and a new window opens up.

On the left pane the two option links are shown as Create an image backup and Create a System recovery disc. On the right pane a Set up backup button is there.

Click on the Set up backup to take the backup. A popup window opens up

and then Configure backup window opens up as shown below.

Here you can set the location for the backup. You can also choose a location on the network by clicking on the Add Network Location.

Note: It is recommended that you should take the backup on an external drive.

5. Click on the Next button and the window will look like below.

Choose the appropriate option and then click on the Next button.

6. The Review of the Backup Settings shows the backup location and summary of the backup.

Finally click on the Save settings and run backup button to start the backup.

7. The backup progress is shown in the window as below.

8. You can also click on the View Progress button to see the progress.

9. You can notice a new link Turn off schedule on the left pane. Click on the link Turn off schedule to stop the automatic backup. On clicking this link it will disappear from the left pane and a new link Turn on schedule will appear in the right pane as in the following screen shot.

Steps to create an image backup

A system image can be used to restore your computer if your hard drive or computer fails to work. You can’t choose individual items for backup. The drive which contains the window is automatically selected.

1. Click on the link Create an image backup in the left pane.

2. Select the location to store the system image. It can be another drive, a network location or an external disc. Choose the appropriate option and Click on Next.

3. Now click on the Start backup button to start creating the system image.

Steps to create a system recovery disc

A system recovery disc is a bootable disc which can be used to recover your computer's windows.

1. Click on the Create a system recovery disc link on the left pane.

2. Insert the blank CD/DVD in the drive and select the drive in the combo box and then click on the Create Disc.