Backup Computer: XP

Inside each version of Windows XP . . .

is software to backup a computer XP - for free. The software enables you to put it the files somewhere else in your computer - for example on an external hard drive. OR you can store it on a different computer that is connected to the first one. Details are below, and we coach you in to how to use them.

The software is free, but you may still need to get hardware, like an external disk, to get the backup you want.

We lead you through:

Choosing files for backup
Will online backup be cheaper and easier?
How to set up Windows XP computer backup
Our green note

Choosing files for backup

Get your files organized.
Know where your important files are located.

Many people use a single folder that holds all the important data that needs backup. You might use the "My Documents" folder, or perhaps a folder called "Archive" on the C: drive. You then organized other folders inside this, but you have only one folder to select for backup - not dozens or hundreds - and you don't have the risk that some important data somewhere was forgotten.

Should you backup the entire installation and operating system?

That would be difficult to do, and might not even be a real advantage in the event your computer goes down.

Backup of the entire installation of the operating system, programs, and settings is a big job, and is not offered by this program. It is usually unnecessary.

However the XP computer backup tool will allow you to backup your settings easily, so you can restore the settings to a newly installed system. These settings can take a while to restore if you just hunt around on a new system,

For Windows computers, the advantage of a fresh, clean installation usually outweighs the ability to restore the old installation. A fresh installation will eliminate the errors that accumulate in Windows computers, and will run faster than the older installation - possibly a LOT faster.

Restoring the old operating system from backup looses these advantages.

Consider using free online backup.

Two big advantages:
Online backup is safer than backing up an XP computer yourself.

It automatically gets the data away from your office, where it is safe from any disaster that would affect the computer you are backing up.
It automatically keeps backups for each day for multiple days, in case you back up the mistake for a few days, or don't discover that your computer is virus-infected for a few days.
The cost can be quite low, or even free.

Online backup will keep many versions, by date , of your data. This is important. For example, if you get a virus, you would need to go back to restore data that did not have a chance to get the virus, and that could be days ago or longer.

Mozy gives free online backup accounts to protect up to 2 GB of data. Windows or Mac. For most of us, that much data protection goes pretty far. It's a great deal. See it here.

Using online backup is also far easier and more reliable than running your own backup software. There is little to understand, it is quick, gets your data immediately away to a second location (much better in case of fire or flood), and you do not need (perhaps buy) an external drive or other hardware.

Set up Windows XP Computer Backup

If you use Windows XP Professional, the Windows Backup utility (Ntbackup.exe) should be ready for use.

(Note: In the Home Edition of Windows XP, the computer backkup tool is not included. We suggest online backup for Windows XP home.)

Go to the Start menu, select "All Programs", then click on "Accessories", point to "System Tools" and click "Backup".

The programs Microsoft provides for doing this are pretty basic, but can get the job done, and the settings are much simpler than some of the commercial software available.

Here is a two minute video that explains how to set up the XP computer Backup program.

The instructions in the video are pretty easy, but if you don't understand them, get someone to help you to help you. Don't take chances that you did not correctly set up the backup if your data is important to you.

Green backup note:

What is the most green way to do backup?

One that does not require you to buy hardware (all electronics are toxic to the environment.)
One that does not require you to leave a computer running all night, or long hours. (Some do.)

OUR GREEN SUGGESTION:
To us, the more green solution is an online backup solution.
It is not really "green" until it causes no damage to the Earth, which all electronic hardware and most energy consumption does today.

But at least online backup does less damage. Less computer hardware is purchased and less energy is used than if you bought and ran your own solution. It will take less of your time and be more reliable. It gets the data away from your home or office immediately, so that a disaster like a flood or fire does not destroy your backup as well.

If you have a lot of data, it may be more expensive than doing it yourself.. For less than 2 GB to protect, online backup is free.