Backup Facts

A backup is a copy of data that is archived and which can be used to restore corrupt or lost data in the
event of a hardware or system failure. Backups must be performed while the system is in good working
order. In other words, you must plan for disasters ahead of time and take the necessary actions to protect
your system before there is a problem.

Backups often distinguish between different types of data:

 System state data includes all of the files required to boot and run the computer. System state
data includes the operating system files, the registry, drivers, and any configuration files.
 User data includes all data files saved and modified by users or applications that users run. The
user data is the most important data for a company. Because user data changes constantly, back
up the user data frequently and on a regular schedule.
 Application data includes files installed by an application and application configuration files.
Application data changes only following the installation of an application or following a
configuration change. Depending on the system you are using, a backup of system state data
might include backing up all application files as well.

Use the following tools to protect Windows 2000 and XP systems:

Tool Description
Windows Backup is the backup utility included with Windows 2000/XP systems.

 Run Ntbackup.exe or start Windows Backup from the Administrative Tools in

the Control Panel.
 With Windows Backup, you choose the data you want to back up: system state
Windows Backup data, entire volumes, or selected folders or files.
(Ntbackup)  Backups can be saved to tape, a network location, or a file (on a hard disk).
Windows Backup cannot back up to recordable disc media (CD-R, CD-RW,
DVD-R, or DVD-RW). To save backups on these media types, perform a
backup to a file, then copy the backup file to the disc.
 You can schedule backups to take place at regular times.

Automated System Recovery (ASR) is a simple way of backing up and restoring the
operating system. Use ASR to recover from a hardware failure or other error that
prevents the operating system from loading.
Automated
 Use Windows Backup to create the ASR backup.
System Recovery
 ASR backs up the system state data but does not back up user data.
(ASR)
 During the backup, you create a floppy disk that is used along with the backup
files and the Windows installation disc during the restore procedure.

In Windows 2000, this feature is called the Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

Use the following tools to protect Windows Vista systems:

Tool Description
Automatic Automatic file backup protects user files and lets you configure a schedule for taking
Backups regular backups.
  File backup only backs up user files. It does not back up operating system files
or applications.
 You can select files to back up by type (such as pictures, music, or videos), but
you cannot back up only specific folders or files.
 After you take a backup, you can add files to the backup. Adding files backs up
only the changes (new or modified files) and adds them to the existing backup.
A full backup creates a new backup of all the files you specify.
 You can restore all files or selected files from the backup.
 You can only back up files that exist on an NTFS partition.
 You can back up data to hard disk, CD-R, DVD-R, or a network drive. When
using CD/DVD discs, you must be present during the backup to insert additional
discs. You cannot back up to tape drives or USB flash devices.
 When backing up to a hard disk, you must back up files to a different disk than
where the files are stored.
o You cannot back up files to the system or the boot partition.
o The destination disk must be formatted with either FAT32 or NTFS.
 Network backups are not supported on Home editions.
 Backups can be scheduled on all versions except for the Home Basic version
(this version supports only manual backups).

In Windows 7, the Windows Backup feature allows you to select individual folders and
files, as well as include system files in the backup.
Complete PC Backup and Restore replaces the ASR/ERD feature of previous Windows
versions.

 Complete PC Backup creates an image-based snapshot of the entire computer.

 It backs up everything on the system including the operating system, installed
Complete PC programs, drivers, and user data files.
Backup and  Complete PC Backup is available in Vista Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate
Restore editions.
 You can select the volumes included in the backup, however the system volume
is always included.
 During a restore, the entire system is restored; you cannot select only a portion
of the backup to restore.

In addition to backing up user data or the entire system, you can use the following tools:

Tool Description
System System Restore automatically takes snapshots (called restore points) of your system. You can
Restore use these restore points to roll back your computer to a specific point-in-time configuration.

 Restore points take snapshots of system files, registry settings, program files, and
other batch, script, or executable files. Restore points do not protect user data files.
 Automatic restore points are created in the background at regular intervals (by default
once a day) as well as before configuration changes are made such as installing an
application, installing an unsigned driver, or making other system changes. You can
also manually create a restore point.
 When you restore your system to a restore point, previous settings are restored, while
subsequent changes are removed. For example, any applications installed after the
restore point are no longer installed.
 User data is not modified when restoring to a restore point. You cannot use a restore
 point to recover user data, and any changes made since a restore point are retained
following the restore.
 System Restore works only on NTFS partitions. Restore points are automatically
saved to the same disk.
 System Restore uses up to a percentage of free space on the disk. You can decrease
the amount of disk space used, but cannot increase it above the default.
 When the available disk space for restore points is used, older restore points are
deleted to make room for newer restore points.
 System Restore is enabled automatically.
 System Restore is available on Windows XP and later.

Previous Versions, also called Shadow Copies, takes snapshots of files and folders and
protects against accidental deletion or modification of user data files.

 Previous Versions is available in the Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of

Windows Vista/7.
 It is turned on by default, and takes regular backups of files that have changed.
 Backups are saved on the same disk. Previous Versions does not protect against disk
Previous
failure.
Versions
 Previous Versions works on entire folders as well as individual files.
 When you view a previous version of a file, it is opened in Read-only mode. You can
browse through a previous version of a folder, navigating the directory structure.
 When you restore previous versions, you can copy the previous version to a new
location, or restore it to the same location (overwriting the existing version).
 Previous Versions works only on NTFS partitions.

Keep in mind the following facts about doing backups:

 Back up user data more often than system state data (it changes more frequently).
 Back up system state data and applications (or make a restore point) whenever you make a
system change.
 During a system state backup, all system configuration information is backed up (system data
cannot be backed up selectively in portions).
 Be sure to test your backup and restore strategy. It does no good to back up your data if you can't
restore it.
 Backup media should be stored offsite to prevent the same disaster from affecting the network
and the backup media.
 Backups can be scheduled using the tools within the backup utility, or by creating a new task in
the Scheduled Tasks folder in the Control Panel.