<a href="http://www.pronetworks.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=200" target="_blank"> <img align="right" src="http://www.pronetworks.org/main/images/blurb/PRO_Views-Box2.jpg" border="0"> </a>Windows Vista PROview: Windows Automatic Backup
By Jeff Rosado
May 2, 2006
With the final realease scheduled for early 2007, Microsoft Windows Vista is bringing a wealth of new features as well as enhancements to features currently found in Windows XP. One of the areas which has been greatly enhanced is System Tools. These tools are designed to help the user with the basics of managing and securing their system, without needing expensive third party applications.
One tool which has certainly come a long way is Windows Backup. As more and more people use their computers to store important data, the need has grown for an easy way to keep backups of user files. Worms, Viruses, software or hardware failures, and accidental deletion can all lead changes or loss of important files and documents. With Windows Backup, the user can make sure their files are safe from these types of losses.
The Vista Version of Windows Backup has two types of backups. The File and Folder Backup is included in all versions of Windows Vista, however, the ability to set up automatic backups is not included in Windows Vista Starter and Windows Vista Home Basic. The CompletePC Backup will only be included in the Ultimate, and Business editions.
Using the File and Folder Backup Wizard will allow the user to schedule automatic backup's of personal files to a location of choice while skipping system and program files. Once the intial backup is made, Windows will scan the system according to the specified schedule and new or updated files will automatically be added to the backup.
CompletePC Backup will create a sytem backup similar to image files created using third party applications like Symantec's Ghost. A system image backup will contain everything needed to do a complete system restore through the Windows Recovery Environment.
Windows Backup is accessible via the Start Menu>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Backup, through the Control Panel>System and Maintenance>Backup and Restore Center (Vista view); Control Panel>Backup and Restore Center (Classic view), or by typing 'backup' in the Windows search box.
When Windows Backup is first opened, the user is given options to Configure and start Automatic Backup, Restore a previous backup, or create a System Image backup.
<img src="http://parcom.pronetworks.org/images/5365Backup1.JPG" border="0">
When configuring the Automatic Backup feature, the user is given options of where to save their backup. Backups may be saved on a local disk, or CD/DVD drive, or on a network share. Once the location to save to is selected, the user may then select the partitions they wish to include in the backup
