12.9 Windows Data Backup and Recovery
12.9.2
Windows data and application backup and recovery tools
There are many ways to back up data and applications. Windows comes with backup utilities installed with the operating system, or third party utilities can be purchased to backup data and applications as well. The chosen backup method will depend on the type and amount of data that is being backed up. In Windows 2000, use the Backup Wizard that was described in the previous section by executing the Ntbackup tool. The first phase is to specify what to backup by choosing one of the following options:
  • Back Up Everything On My Computer Backs up all files on the computer except the files that Backup Wizard excludes by default, such as certain power management files.
  • Back Up Selected Files, Drives, Or Network Data Backs up selected files and folders. When this option is clicked, the Backup Wizard provides a hierarchical view of the computer and the network (through My Network Places).
  • Only Back Up The System State Data Backs up important system components, such as the Registry and the boot files of the computer.

If Windows 9x is being used, use the backup and restore commands to back up data. The backup command, BACKUP.EXE, can be executed to begin the back up process. This does not install automatically when Windows 9x is installed. Install it by adding it from the Windows Setup tab in the Add/Remove Programs feature in the control panel. When this backup program is executed, there is a prompt to create a new backup job, open an existing backup job, or restore backed up files.