The Windows Backup Utility Supports Five Methods Of Backing Up Data!

The Backup utility supports five methods of backing up data on your computer or network.
- Copy backup

A copy backup copies all selected files but does not mark each file as having been backed up (in other words, the archive attribute is not cleared). Copying is useful if you want to back up files between normal and incremental backups because copying does not affect these other backup operations.

- Daily backup

A daily backup copies all selected files that have been modified the day the daily backup is performed. The backed-up files are not marked as having been backed up (in other words, the archive attribute is not cleared).

- Differential backup

A differential backup copies files created or changed since the last normal or incremental backup. It does not mark files as having been backed up (in other words, the archive attribute is not cleared). If you are performing a combination of normal and differential backups, restoring files and folders requires that you have the last normal as well as the last differential backup.

- Incremental backup

An incremental backup backs up only those files created or changed since the last normal or incremental backup. It marks files as having been backed up (in other words, the archive attribute is cleared). If you use a combination of normal and incremental backups, you will need to have the last normal backup set as well as all incremental backup sets in order to restore your data.

- Normal backup

A normal backup copies all selected files and marks each file as having been backed up (in other words, the archive attribute is cleared). With normal backups, you need only the most recent copy of the backup file or tape to restore all of the files. You usually perform a normal backup the first time you create a backup set.

Backing up your data using a combination of normal backups and incremental backups requires the least amount of storage space and is the quickest backup method. However, recovering files can be time-consuming and difficult because the backup set can be stored on several disks or tapes.

Backing up your data using a combination of normal backups and differential backups is more time-consuming, especially if your data changes frequently, but it is easier to restore the data because the backup set is usually stored on only a few disks or tapes.

Gary Chambers

Restoring Files And Folders In Windows XP!

The following four steps describe a simple restore operation:

Select files and folders you want to restore.

Backup provides you with a tree view of the files and folders that you have backed up, which you can use to select the files and folders that you want to restore. You can use this tree view the same way you use Windows Explorer to open drives and folders and select files.

Select where to restore your backed-up files and folders.

Backup allows you to select one of three destinations for your restored files:

You can restore your backed-up data to the original folder or folders the data was in when you backed it up. This option is useful if you are restoring files and folders that have been damaged or lost.

You can restore your backed-up data to an alternate folder. If you select this option, the structure of the backed-up folders and files is retained in the alternate folder. This option is useful if you know you will need some old files, but you don't want to overwrite or change any of the current files or folders on your disk.

You can restore your backed-up files to a single folder. This option does not retain the structure of the backed-up folders and files. Only the backed-up files are placed in the single folder. This option is useful if you are searching for a file and you don't know its location.

Set restore options.

Backup provides a Restore tab in the Options dialog box that lets you select how you want your files and folders restored. You must select one of three options:
- Do not replace file on my computer. This will prevent files from being overwritten on your hard disk. This is the safest method of restoring files.
- Replace the file on disk only if the file on disk is older. If you have changed any files since you last backed up your data, this will ensure that you don't lose the changes you have made to the files.
- Always replace the file on my disk. This will replace all of the files on your hard disk with the files in your backup set. If you have made any changes to files since you last backed up your data, this option will erase those changes.

Start the restore operation.

When you start a restore operation, Backup will ask you to confirm that you are ready to restore data. You will also have the opportunity to set advanced restore options, including whether you want to restore security settings, the Removable Storage database, and junction point data.

Important!

- You can use Backup to back up and restore data on either FAT16, FAT32, or NTFS volumes. However, if you have backed up data from an NTFS volume used in Windows XP, it is recommended that you restore the data to an NTFS volume used in Windows XP, or you could lose data as well as some file and folder features. Some file systems may not support all features of other file systems. For example, permissions, encrypting file system (EFS) settings, disk quota information, mounted drive information, and Remote Storage information will be lost if you back up data from an NTFS volume used in Windows XP and then restore it to a FAT volume or an NTFS volume used in Windows NT 4.0.

Side Notes!
- You must be an administrator or a backup operator to back up files and folders. For more information about permissions or user rights, click Related Topics.
- The registry, the Active Directory directory service, and other key system components are contained in the System State data. You must back up the System State data if you want to back up and restore these components.
- If you restore the System State data, and you do not designate an alternate location for the restored data, Backup will erase the System State data that is currently on your computer and replace it with the System State data you are restoring. Also, if you restore the System State data to an alternate location, only the registry files, SYSVOL directory files, Cluster database information files, and system boot files are restored to the alternate location. The Active Directory directory services database, Certificate Services database, and COM+ Class Registration database are not restored if you designate an alternate location.
- In order to restore the System State data on a domain controller, you must first start your computer in Directory Services Restore Mode. This will allow you to restore the SYSVOL directory and the Active Directory.
- You can only restore the System State data on a local computer. You cannot restore the System State data on a remote computer.
- Administrators and Backup Operators can restore encrypted files and folders without decrypting the files or folders.

Gary Chambers

To Restore System State Data In Windows XP!

1. Open Backup.

The Backup Utility Wizard starts by default, unless it is disabled.

2. Click the Advanced Mode button in the Backup Utility Wizard.
3. Click the Restore and Manage Media tab, and then in Click to select the check box for any drive, folder, or file that you want to restore, click the box next to System State. This will restore the System State data along with any other data you have selected for the current restore operation.

Caution!

- If you restore the System State data, and you do not designate an alternate location for the restored data, Backup will erase the System State data that is currently on your computer and replace it with the System State data you are restoring. Also, if you restore the System State data to an alternate location, only the registry files, SYSVOL directory files, Cluster database information files, and system boot files are restored to the alternate location. The Active Directory directory services database, Certificate Services database, and Component Services Class Registration database are not restored if you designate an alternate location.

Side Notes!
- You must be an administrator or a backup operator to restore files and folders.
- To start Backup, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Backup.
- If you are restoring data from a tape, you should update the on-disk catalog for the tape before you perform the restore operation.
- You can also use the Restore Wizard to restore the System State data by clicking the Tools menu, and then clicking Restore Wizard.
- In order to restore the System State data on a domain controller, you must first start your computer in a special safe mode called directory services restore mode. This will allow you to restore the SYSVOL directory and Active Directory directory service database.
- You can only restore the System State data on a local computer. You cannot restore the System State data on a remote computer.

Gary Chambers