Windows 7 Backup

Windows 7 in many ways is the best Windows version launched by Microsoft so far. You can see the extra effort that they have taken to make it a complete operating system in all respects, after the Vista fiasco. Microsoft has significantly enhanced and added the utilities that come with this computer operating system. It includes a free antivirus program in the form of Windows Security Essentials and a better inbuilt back up system, that even lets you create a system repair disc. Through this article, I provide a simple and straightforward guide on how to configure and use Windows 7 backup function.

The advantages of Windows 7 are many and having an inbuilt well equipped Windows 7 backup utility, that is good enough to compete with the best backup programs in the market, is one of them. The new back up program is extremely reliable and carries out its scheduled job quietly in the background. It can be programmed to backup specific folders that need to be protected. Copy and back up your most important folders on the hard drive automatically by programming the Windows 7 backup program.

How to Configure Windows 7 Backup Program?

Like most Windows programs, setting the scheduled back up is quite a simple exercise. Here is a step wise guide to scheduling the Windows 7 backup.

Right Click On Drive to Select Properties Option
To begin configuring back up, right click on the drive to be backed up in 'My Computer' and click on the properties option. Select the 'Tools' tab and then click on the 'Back up now' button. A window will open with a 'Set up Backup' option. Click on that option.

Select Drive to Store Backup
Next step in setting Windows 7 back up is to select the drive in which the back up files will be stored. Windows will scan and recommend you a drive which you can go for or select some other.

Choosing the Files to Be Backed Up
You will be given an option to choose the files that you want to be backed up or you could let Windows choose the files for you. If Windows is given the option to choose on its own, it will create a system image that can be used to restore functionality in case the installed system crashes. Alternatively, you can choose your own personal documents that need to be saved in a backup. Once you select the files you need to back up, you can review your back up settings.

Scheduling the Backup
In the 'review backup' window that opens, you get an option to set the schedule for daily backup. To set schedule, click on the 'Change schedule option'. You can select how often you want the backup function to run, on what day and on what time. With all that set, click on the 'ok' option, to revert to the review back up window.

To start running the back up, click on 'Save settings and run backup' option. It will take some time depending on the number and size of files you have selected to be backed up. For 10 GB of data, it could take around 8 minutes. To restore any files from back up just click on the backed up file or folder and follow instructions.

You can delete unwanted back up and control the allocation of hard drive space by using the 'manage backup' option from within the Windows 7 backup and restore center. You can also create a system repair disc once you back up Windows 7 system files. This system back up can then be burned onto a DVD to create a system repair disc. This functionality is one of the main advantages of Windows 7 over Windows Vista, which did not have it.

Hope this article has cleared out all your doubts regarding usage of the Windows 7 backup utility. All you need to do is follow through the backup wizard and go ahead. Having personally used Windows 7 backup utility for quite some time now, I can safely say that it is one of the best and most reliable in the business. It is therefore well recommended for use!

Posted in: Windows 7,Windows 7 Backup