How to Back Up Your Data with Confidence

Nina Nixon
Nina Nixon, Yahoo! Contributor Network
May 27, 2009 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."
Backing up computer data is like buying insurance. You insure what you value most and would find difficult to quickly replace. Copying valuable computer files should be viewed no differently, yet it's so easy to make it low priority and get lost in the routine of day-to-day business operations. But the reality is that computers crash, parts wear out, and sometimes files are misplaced. These are all wake-up calls that without a solid Plan B, may cause you to ask: "What next?" Do the best you can to lesson the effects of any computer mishap by following these steps to back up your data. Next, make the habit second nature in your operational maintenance procedures. You will need an internal DVD drive on your computer and blank/rewritable disk or an external hard drive.

Step 1: From the Start Menu, click on "Control Panel".

Step 2: Select the "Performance and Maintenance" category.

Step 3: Select "Back up your data" from the Task menu.

Step 4: Use the "Back and Restore Wizard" option and then click "Next".

Step 5: Select the "Back up files and settings" option.

Step 6: Select the option that represents the files you would like to back up: "My documents and settings"; "Everyone's documents and settings"; "All information on this computer"; or "Let me choose what to back up."

Step 7: Select your desired back up drive, and then click "Next". Note: You must back up your data by using an internal DVD drive or with a removable storage unit, such as an external hard drive.

Step 8: Click on "Finish" to begin the back up process.

Step 9: After the back up is completed, click "Close" to exit.

Remember that...

Plan ahead by deciding what you are going to back up before you initiate the task. You can create a system recovery disk each time you run a backup task, or you can just select certain files that are modified frequently.

Typically, it can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours to back up data; therefore, allocate this time during business slow hours to avoid hampering productivity.

Don't believe that since it hasn't happened to you, it can't happen to you. Schedule regular back ups to prevent any unexpected loss of vital data.

Published by Nina Nixon

Nina Nixon has been writing for more than 24 years. She has written hundreds of articles covering topics about business, technology, gardening and home improvement. Nixon is certified with the City of Columb...  View profile

  • Backing up computer data is like buying insurance.
  • Allocate back up time to be done during business slow hours to avoid hampering productivity.
Don't believe that since it hasn't happened to you, it can't happen to you. Schedule regular back ups to prevent any unexpected loss of vital data.

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