How to Backup Windows XP Operating System

A scheduled backup will help protect your files.

If you store important files on your computer, it is important to back up those files periodically. Windows XP Home Edition includes a backup utility named ntbackup.exe on the CD-ROM that allows you to back up your system configuration, as well as files and folders. You can store the backup on a volume on the local computer or on a network share. You can also schedule the backup so that it runs periodically.

Things You'll Need

• Windows XP Home Edition
• User account that is a member of the Administrators group
• Windows XP Home Edition installation media

Instructions

Install the Backup Utility

1. 

   Insert your Windows XP Home installation media.

   Insert your Windows XP Home installation media in your CD or DVD drive.

2. Click the "Start" button and choose "My Computer". Right-click the icon for the volume that contains the installation media and choose "Explore". Double-click the folder named "VALUEADD". Double-click the folder named "MSFT". Double-click the folder named "NTBACKUP".

3. Double-click the file named "Ntbackup.msi" to start the Backup utility installation wizard. Accept the defaults on each screen of the wizard and click "Finish".

Configure Backup Settings in Wizard Mode

1. Click the "Start" button and choose "Run". Type "ntbackup.exe" and click "Open". Notice that the "Always start in wizard mode" checkbox is checked. Let's look at wizard mode first. Click the "Next" button to display the first screen of the wizard.

2. Leave the "Backup files and settings" option selected and click the "Next" button. You can select whether to back up your own documents and settings, the documents and settings for everyone who uses the computer, all information required to perform a recovery, or you can choose what to back up. Select "Let me choose what to back up" and click the "Next" button.

3. Check "My Documents" to include all files and folders in the My Documents folder in your backup. Click the + next to the "My Computer" icon in the left-hand pane. Check "System State" to include operating system configuration information in the backup.

4. Click the "Browse" button to browse to select a location different than the default location of the floppy disk drive. When the dialog displays, prompting you to insert a disk into drive A, click the "Cancel" button. Double-click the "My Computer" icon. Double-click "Local disk (C)". Click the "Create a folder icon" in the toolbar. Type the name "MyBackup" and press the "Enter" key. Double-click the "MyBackup" icon and click the "Save" button.

5. Click the "Next" button. Review the settings and click the "Finish" button. Your "My Documents" folder and the system state data will be backed up to the MyBackup folder. The default backup name is Backup.bkf. Click the "Close" button.

Configure a Backup Using Advanced Mode

1. Click the "Start" button and choose "Run". Type "ntbackup.exe" and click "Open". Click the "Advanced Mode" hyperlink.

2. Click the "Backup" tab. You use the Backup tab to select which files to back up and the path where the backup file should be stored.

3. Click the "Backup" tab. You use the Backup tab to select which files to back up and the path where the backup file should be stored.

4. Click the "Browse" button to browse to select a location different than the default location of the floppy disk drive. When the dialog displays, prompting you to insert a disk into drive A, click the "Cancel" button. Double-click the "My Computer" icon. Double-click "Local disk (C)". Double-click the "MyBackup" icon and click the "Save" button.

5. Type PictureBackup in the "File name" field and click the "Save" button.

Configure a Backup Schedule

1. Click the "Start Backup" button to display the "Backup Job Information" dialog. Click the "Schedule" button. When you are prompted to save your backup, click the "Yes" button.

2. Type PictureBackup in the "File name" field and click the "Save" button. Type and confirm your Windows XP user account's password. This will be the account used to run the backup job and the account must be a member of the Administrators group or the Backup Operators group. After you have successfully typed the password, the "Scheduled Job Options" dialog is displayed.

3. Type the "MyPicturesBackup" in the "Job name" field. Click the "Properties" button to open the "Schedule Job" dialog.

4. Select "Weekly" from the "Schedule Task" drop-down list. Notice that "Mon" is selected. This means that the backup job will run every Monday at the specified time.

5. Click the "OK" button to close the "Schedule Job" dialog. Click "OK" to close the "Scheduled Job Options" dialog. Click the Close (x) button to close the Backup Utility.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also start the Backup utility by clicking the "Start" menu. To do so, choose "Accessories", choosing "System Tools", and choose "Backup".

• The System State backup will allow you to recover your Windows XP configuration. However, you will need to reinstall Windows XP and all applications.

• You should back up your files and settings to a different drive or burn the backup file to CD or DVD to allow you to recover if your hard disk fails.

• To preserve permissions or to back up file encrypted using Encrypting File System (EFS), the backup destination must be a volume formatted using NTFS.

References

• Microsoft Support: How To Use the Backup utility to back up files and Folders in Windows XP Home Edition
• Windows XP Professional Product Documentation: To Schedule a Backup

Resources

• Windows XP Professional Product Documentation: To Set Advanced Backup Options