How to Backup Installed Programs

Use an external storage device to back up programs installed on your computer.

Microsoft Windows allows you, as an administrator, to back up programs installed on your computer. You may find this feature useful, as it ensures that all your important and frequently-used programs are stored securely on an external storage device like a flash drive or external hard drive, or even a CD/DVD. Windows has a built-in tool called "Backup and Restore" that not only backs up your program data, but also makes it easy for you to restore your data in the event of a hard drive crash or a system failure.

Things You'll Need

• External storage device

Instructions

1. Plug in an external storage device, such as a flash drive or an external hard drive, into one of the open USB ports on your computer, or insert a blank CD/DVD into your optical drive.

2. Click the "Start" menu and select "Control Panel."

3. Click "Systems and Maintenance."

4. Choose the option "Backup and Restore."

5. Click "Create new, full backup" in the left pane.

6. Select the destination drive for your backup. This should be the external storage device or CD/DVD you inserted in your computer.

7. Type the administrator's password, if prompted. Otherwise, simply click "Continue."

8. Follow on-screen guided prompts to complete the backup.

References

• Microsoft: Back Up Your Files