How to Restore From Microsoft Backup Utility

The Microsoft Backup Utility is a handy application used to backup and restore Windows-based systems. When a backup of a computer's hard drive or partition is made, the backup includes the exact state of the files and programs on the computer at the point in time the backup is made. Backups are useful for restoring the hard drive or partition to a previous state in the wake of a hardware or software failure. Using the Microsoft Backup Utility, a backup image may be restored to the hard drive or partition in just a few simple steps.

Instructions

1. Click the Windows "Start" button, and then click the "All Programs" link.

2. Click the "Accessories" folder, and then select the "System Tools" folder.

3. Click the "Backup Status and Configuration" link.

4. Click the "Restore" icon on the left navigation panel of the Backup Status and Configuration page.

5. Choose "Advanced Restore" to restore all users' files or to restore a backup from another computer.

6. Choose "Restore Files" to restore selected files from a backup made on the same computer.

7. Click the radio button next to the restore operation to perform, and then navigate to the backup image.

8. Click "OK" to begin the restoration process. This process may take several minutes to complete.

9. Click the "Finish" button to complete the operation and close the Backup utility. The hard drive or partition has now been restored to the previous state of the backup image.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not power off or reboot the computer during the restoration process. Doing so may corrupt the backup and restore data.

References

• Microsoft TechNet: A Guide to Windows Vista Backup Technologies