Here are answers to some common questions about backing up and restoring files.
 | What is a file backup? | |||||||||||||||||
A file backup is a copy of a file that is stored in a separate location from the original. You can have multiple backups of a file if you want to track changes to the file. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Why should I back up files? | |||||||||||||||||
Backing up your files helps to protect them from being permanently lost or changed in the event of accidental deletion, a worm or virus attack, or a software or hardware failure. If any of those things occur and your files are backed up, you can easily restore those files. To back up files, see Back up your files. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Which files should I back up? | |||||||||||||||||
You should back up anything that would be difficult or impossible to replace, and regularly back up files that you change frequently. Pictures, videos, music, projects, and financial records are examples of files that you should back up. You don't need to back up programs because you can use the original product disks to reinstall them, and programs typically take up a lot of disk space. | ||||||||||||||||||
| How often should I back up files? | |||||||||||||||||
It depends on the number of files you create and how often you create them. If you create new files every day, you might want to back up weekly or even daily. If you occasionally create many files—for example, if you save a lot of digital photos from a birthday party or graduation, back them up right away. It's best to schedule regular, automatic backups so you don't even have to think about it. You can choose to have your files backed up daily, weekly, or monthly. You can also back up manually between automatic backups.
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| What file types are not included in my backups? | |||||||||||||||||
The Back Up Files wizard backs up the most common file types. The following files are not included:
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| How much storage space do I need to back up files? | |||||||||||||||||
That depends on the size of the files you back up. Windows keeps track of the files that have been added or modified since your last backup so you only have to update the existing backup, which saves disk space. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Why don't I see the location I want to back up to in the Back Up Files wizard? | |||||||||||||||||
When you choose a location to save your backup to, the wizard searches your computer and displays a list of all locations that you can use. If the location that you want to use doesn't appear in the list, it could be due to one of the following problems:
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| Can I back up to a CD or DVD if I'm not there to insert the discs? | |||||||||||||||||
Not unless your backup fits on one disc and the disc is in the computer when the backup starts. Otherwise, schedule the backup for a time when you will be available to insert the discs. Windows will notify you later that the backup wasn’t completed; you can then insert a disc to continue the backup. | ||||||||||||||||||
| What can I do if I run out of discs during a backup? | |||||||||||||||||
If you run out of discs during a backup, you can finish later. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Can I continue to work on my computer while I'm backing up files? | |||||||||||||||||
Yes. The last saved version of each file is backed up, so any files you change during the backup will need to be backed up the next time. You can schedule automatic backups to occur during the night or at a time when you are not working on files. You can still do things like read e‑mail or use the Internet while a backup is in progress. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Can I restore files if I've lost any backup discs? | |||||||||||||||||
You cannot get copies of files that are on a missing disc. However, you can restore files on the backup discs previous to and after the missing one. If you don't know exactly what's on the missing disc, you can see a list of the files that you have backed up. If you are running Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, or Windows Vista Ultimate, you can use shadow copies to recover previous versions of files directly from your hard disk, rather than from a backup.
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| What's the difference between backing up files by using the Back Up Files wizard and doing it myself? | |||||||||||||||||
When you burn a copy of your files to a CD or DVD or save a copy to an external hard disk, each time you want to do a backup, you have to manually select each file and folder that you want to back up. You also have to remember to regularly back up new or modified files and folders. This can be time-consuming and tedious. When you use the Back Up Files wizard, Windows keeps track of which files and folders are new or modified. Then, when you make a new backup, you can back up all of the data on your computer or just the files that have changed since the last time you made a backup. If you set up automatic backups, Windows regularly backs up your files and folders so that you don't have to remember to do it. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Will automatic backups run if my computer is turned off? | |||||||||||||||||
No. If your computer is turned off during the scheduled backup time, automatic backups will not run. However, the next time you turn on your computer, you will be able to back up your files and resume the normal backup schedule. | ||||||||||||||||||
| How do I delete a backup that I created using the Back Up Files wizard? | |||||||||||||||||
If your backups are saved to CDs or DVDs, you can discard discs containing earlier backups, but make sure that you keep the most recent backup of your files. If your backups are saved to an internal or external hard disk, you can delete a backup by following these steps:
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