How to Back Up Windows XP

Windows XP Professional Splash screen example

Backing up Windows XP essentially means to create a copy of everything you wish to save. This includes your pictures, any Microsoft Office Documents or spreadsheets, your music, videos and anything else you do not wish to lose should your computer malfunction.

Things You'll Need

• USB flash drive<br />Windows XP CD<br />Blank CD-R<br />Computer<br />External hard drive

Instructions

1. 

   Use the built in utility that Windows includes. You will need your Windows XP CD to install it on the Home Edition. Once you insert the Windows CD, you will get a welcome screen; hit \"ESC\" and cancel out of that screen.

2. Go to \"My Computer\" and click on the drive that contains the Windows CD. You are looking for the \"backup\" utility.<br />Then find: VALUEADD\\MSFT\\NTBACKUP.

3. Double click on the NTBACKUP to start it up. Follow the on screen prompts to install the backup utility and click finish. When it's finished you will have it on your computer in the Start menu.

4. 

   Double click the backup utility on the start menu under \"Accessories\" and then \"System Tools.\"

5. Click \"New\" and then check the box next to the letter that represents your hard drive (usually this is C: or D:).

6. Make sure the destination is your removable media such as a flash drivel, blank CD or external hard drive. You will generally select \"Normal.\" Then click \"Start Backup.\" This will take one to several hours depending upon the amount of files you have.

7. To do a simpler, less comprehensive backup, you can drag and drop individual groups of folders, including documents, pictures and music to a CD or USB flash drive and save them onto it. Make sure you do not just save the shortcut but the entire folder contents.

Tips & Warnings

• Back up every thirty days or whenever you have significant data changes.<br />Consider using an automated backup by having a hard drive connected.<br />You can use the backup program included with the external hard drive.

• You will not be able to back up software. This will need to be reinstalled if your computer hard drive malfunctions.<br />Check the backup after you create it to make sure it is viable.

Resources

• For more on Windows, go to the Microsoft Website