Free Data Backup Software

How to backup with free software
inside your Windows computer

Your choice is to

Use the included, free software for data backup included with Windows computers (see below). Its features are minimal, but it works and is easy to learn. If you are a beginner, start here and see if this meets your needs. If it does not, go to the next bullet down -
Use another program available for the same thing, which may have better features, but probably will not be as simple to learn. (Not covered on this page yet.)
Get free online backup. (Easiest. See below.)

Inside each version of Windows . . .

is included, free software for data backup to a hard drive. It lets you backup your data files to an external hard drive attached to your computer, to a place inside your computer (NOT recommended) or to a different, connected computer. We cover them below, and plug you in to how to use them.

The software is free, but you may still have to get hardware, like an external disk.

Or - consider using free online backup.

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. You install their software, create an account, and select the data you want protected. It's a great deal.

Using online backup is also far easier and more reliable than running your own backup software. Thre is little to understand, it is quick, and you do not need (perhaps buy) an external drive or other hardware. More info here.

Either way, FIRST -

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?

Not necessary most of the time. Backup of the entire installation of the operating system, programs, and settings is much more complicated, and we do not cover it here. Although you might use this kind of backup to duplicate your installation to a new computer if yours crashes. For Windows computers, the advantage of a fresh, clean installation usually outweighs the ability to restore the old installation that has often become bloated, slow, and sometimes error prone.

To find the Windows backup software

Free software is provided in Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 that allows you to automate backups inside your computer (like to an external drive) or to another computer on your network.

For Macintosh information, click here.

For Windows XP, click here
For Windows XP Home, click here.
For Windows Vista, click here.
For Windows 7, click here.

Windows options are described below.

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.

Take the time to read and understand the instructions, or get a tech to help you. Don't take chances that you did not correctly set up the backup if your data is important to you.

Green 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 online backup is at least better. Less computer hardware is purchased and less energy is used than if you bought and ran your own solution. If you are not a tech, it will take a lot less of your time. AND it is more reliable. If you have a lot of data, it may be a little more expensive. For less than 2 GB to protect, online backup is free.

It does not matter if you have XP Home edition or Professional.