How to Backup Files and Data in Windows 7
Backup and Restore saves your files as a secure, compressed archive. if you will eventually want to access these files on another computer, for example if you want to save the backup to a network-attached storage drive on a home or office network or to an external USB hard disk for working in different locations, you won’t be able to access them. If you want to save your backup to an external hard disk, you should consider a third-party backup solution instead of Backup and Restore.

1. Access Backup and Restore on the Start menu by clicking All Programs and then clicking Maintenance, or by typing backup into the Start menu search box and selecting Backup and Restore from the results that appear.

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2. In the Backup and Restore window, click Set Up Backup.

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3. The Set Up Backup dialog box appears with a list of locations on which you can store your backup. This list includes any hard disks and partitions on your computer. You can also choose to save your backup to a network by clicking Save On A Network. Indicate a location for your backup, and press Next.

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4. Next, decide what to back up If you want to let Windows choose which files and folders to back up, select Let Windows Choose. If you want more control over what is backed up, select Let Me Choose. You should note that the default option will also create a full backup of your Windows 7 installation. If you have already done this separately, you should select Let Me Choose.

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5. Next, choose what files and folders you want to back up.

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6. Finally, review the backup settings, including the scheduled time. You can change the schedule to suit your own needs and preferences by clicking Change Schedule. Also note whether Windows will perform a system image backup of your Windows 7 installation. When you are ready to perform the first backup, click Save Settings And Run Backup.

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If you want to back up to an external hard disk on a regular basis, you will need to make sure that the drive is connected to your computer when the regular backup is scheduled. Windows Backup and Restore cannot save regular backups to blank CDs, DVDs, or Blu-Ray discs.



Restoring Files and Data from a Backup
You can restore your files and data from a backup by using the Backup and Restore tool. If you have performed any backups, they will appear in the Restore section of the Backup and Restore window that appears. You can see in the screenshot that there are currently no backups to be restored because Windows Backup has not yet been set up and configured.

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The Backup and Restore tool is automated and will give you the option of choosing to restore all of your files and data or only selected items. The Restore tool will find your most recent backup very quickly and will restore all of your files to their original locations.