Why do I need to backup data on my computer? If you are like us or everyone else in this world, we tend to take lots of pictures, record lots of videos, and have lots of music stored on our computers. Let’s say that you have somehow downloaded a virus by accident on your computer and all of a sudden your computer will not start back up. Now you think to yourself, “WOW, I just lost everything”!
What if I told you that there was a way to prevent this from happening to you and you wouldn’t have to lift a single finger past the initial setup process? Well, there is. With Windows 7 there is a “Backup and Restore” feature that is built in (this feature has been in most Microsoft platforms for a while now but we are just going to walk you through the Windows 7 way).
We are going to walk you through exactly how to use this feature and also show you have to manually backup data on your computer (manual backup of data is not ongoing, it is a one-time backup, and any changes made after this backup will not be backed up).
Contents
Things to think about before you begin
What files do you want to back up? Programs such as Microsoft Office, Anti-Virus, and Games will not be backed up. Typical files that will be backed up are My Documents, Pictures, and Favorites.
It is a good practice in having more than one copy of your backup. Think about making several different backups to different external devices like a flash drive, external hard drive, or a CD/DVD.
Another thing to think about is when you want your computer backed up. If you work on your computer during the day then a backup might need to take place at night when you are not using your computer.
Lastly, how often do you need your computer backed up? If you are a casual computer user then you might consider a weekly backup. But if you are a heavy user working every day and making changes on your computer then you may want to make a backup about every other day or so.
Using Windows to Backup Data:
Step 1:
Open the Start menu and start typing “Backup”. Backup and Restore should pop up. Please click on Backup and Restore.
Step 2 – Backup Data on my Computer
Click “Set up backup”
Step 3:
Select where you want to save your backup. You can save it on a DVD drive or even a Flash Drive.
Step 4:
The next option is going to ask “What do you want to backup?” Please select “Let me choose”
Step 5 – Backup Data on my Computer
You will want to navigate to your user folder by clicking on the drop-down arrow on the left side of My Computer and do it again for Local Disk (C:). Then scroll down to you find “Users” and then click the drop-down arrow next to your User name.
Step 6:
From here you will want to select all the folders that you want to backup but place a checkmark next to the folder. And click next.
Step 7 – Backup Data on my Computer
If these settings are fine with you then click “Save settings and run backup”. If they do not then click “Change schedule” and change it to what you would like.
Step 8:
Your backup schedule has now been set and the computer is in the middle of backing your data up. Once this is done it will have created your backup and schedule your ongoing backups.
Manual Backup Data Process – Backup Data on my Computer
Step 1:
Open My Computer and Double Click on “Local Disk (C:)
Step 2:
Scroll and find “Users” and then double-click on it.
Step 3 – Backup Data on my Computer
Double-click on your user name.
Step 4:
Select all items to back up. (Hint: Hold CTRL and click on items to select individual items to backup)
Step 5:
Right-click on one of the selected items and then click “Copy”.
Step 6 – Backup Data on my Computer
You can paste this on a flash drive or burn it to a DVD.
0
0
Average Rating