 When you make backup copies of your information, a simple copy and paste will do the trick. Or if you use Windows Vista or Windows XP, a backup tool is just a few clicks away. After you've decided what files to back up and where to store your backups, you can follow the steps in this article to make backup copies of your important information. Windows Vista: Backup and Restore CenterDepending on the version of Windows Vista you have, there are two approaches you can take to back up files: Automatic Backup, which backs up just your files and data; or Complete PC Backup, which backs up everything on your computer, including the operating system and applications. You can choose the method in the Backup and Restore Center.
To access the Backup and Restore Center: 1. | Click Start, and point to Control Panel. | 2. | Click System and Maintenance and then click Back up your computer. |
Windows Live OneCare Backup and RestoreWindows Live OneCare is a service from Microsoft that helps protect your computer and provides a built-in backup tool. Windows Live OneCare is currently in beta and is free to try. To learn more, read Windows Live OneCare Backup and Restore.
Windows XP Professional: Use the built-in Backup utilityIf you use Windows XP Professional, you can use the built-in Backup utility to help you make copies of files, settings, or everything on your computer. You can even use the utility to back up certain files on a schedule that you specify. Here's how to start using the Backup utility: 1. | Click Start, and point to All Programs. | 2. | Point to Accessories, and then point to System Tools. | 3. | Click Backup. |
If you've never used the Backup utility, the first screen you will see is the Backup or Restore Wizard welcome window. Click Next and follow the instructions on the wizard. For a more detailed step-by-step guide to using the wizard, see Windows XP Backup Made Easy.  Tip: If you don't know if you have Windows XP Professional, you can find out by visiting Find out which operating system your computer is using.
Windows XP Home Edition: Add the Backup utilityIf you're using Windows XP Home Edition and you want to install the Backup utility, you must locate your original Windows XP CD first. Add the Backup utility manually to your computer from the CD by following these steps: 1. | Insert your Windows XP CD into the drive and, if necessary, in My Computer, double-click the CD icon to display the Welcome screen. | 2. | On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen, click Perform Additional Tasks. | 3. | Click Browse this CD. | 4. | In Windows Explorer, double-click the ValueAdd folder, then Msft, and then Ntbackup. | 5. | Double-click Ntbackup.msi to install the Backup utility. |
Note: If you bought a computer with Windows XP Home Edition and you don't have the original Windows XP CD, contact the computer's manufacturer or visit the manufacturer's Web site for more information. You can also use separate backup software that you purchase online, at a store, or the Windows Live OneCare beta. Making backup copies manuallyRegardless of what version of Windows you use, you can manually make a backup copy of any file or folder by following these steps: 1. | Right-click the file or folder that you want to back up, and then click Copy from the menu. | 2. | Now, in My Computer, you can right-click the disk or external hard drive where you want to store the backup copy, and then click Paste from the menu. |
That's it. After you've copied all the information you want to back up onto your chosen storage format, don't forget to keep it protected. Read our tips about Protecting your backup files. Tip: To learn how to make a backup of your e-mail messages in Outlook, read Back up Outlook e-mail messages and Back up or synchronize: Ways to copy Outlook data.
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