Back up your data
Back up your content and avoid losing your favorite personal files due to a virus or complete computer failure.
Even computer novices know that files should be saved so they aren't lost and can easily be found when needed. But if you don't back up your files as well, all that time you spent saving isn't going to help you find anything if—and when—your computer decides to go on strike.
In this article, I'll explain the basics of backups and show you how to use the Windows Vista Backup and Restore Center. You'll also learn how to back up Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 e-mail so that even if your hard drive crashes suddenly, you've still got access to the e-mail you need. Creating and implementing a backup plan now will save a lot of frustration in the future.
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Why backups are important
Files can be lost from your computer in any number of ways—you might accidentally delete a file, or a virus might wipe one out. You can also have a complete hard drive failure. When a hard drive dies an untimely death, it's kind of like having your house burn down. Important personal items are usually gone forever—family photos, significant documents, downloaded music, and more.
Thankfully it's a really simple process these days to back up your content to a second, separate location. By doing so, your files are protected against viruses or complete computer failure. That makes it easy to retrieve and place them on a new hard drive and get going again.
Today, there are many options for backing up your content. You don't need any sophisticated equipment—you can use CDs, DVDs, external hard drives, flash drives, network drives, or even online services. It really depends on what works best for your lifestyle. The most important thing is to perform backups on a regular basis so that the most current files are always available should you need them.
Windows Vista Backup and Restore Center
Windows Vista comes with a very cool feature called Backup and Restore Center. Click the Start button, and you should see Backup and Restore Center in the menu. If you don't, just type the phrase into the Search box and click the item from the results to open it.
The Backup and Restore Center in Windows Vista.
What makes the Backup and Restore Center so cool is that it simplifies the entire backup process for you. With easy-to-follow steps and prompts, the Center allows you to decide whether to back up specific files or your entire computer.
It's a good idea to at least back up your entire computer when you first set it up; this option captures everything from files to software programs to system settings. If your computer ever stops working completely, you can potentially restore it using the initial entire computer backup.
The rest of the time, you'll just want to back up files that you work with regularly. To do that, follow these steps in the Backup and Restore Center:
1. | Click Back Up Files under Back up files or your entire computer. |
2. | The Center will automatically check for any backup devices that might be attached to your computer (like an external hard drive), but if it doesn't find any, it will prompt you to save to a CD, DVD, or network drive. Select the one that you want. |
3. | Click Next. |
4. | Select the file types that you want to back up from the list provided as shown here.
 You'll be asked to select specific file types for backup. |
5. | Click Next. |
6. | Determine how often you want the backup to occur by using the How Often, What Day, and What Time drop-down menus as shown here.
 You can specify when, how, and how often backups occur. |
7. | Click Save Settings and Start Backup. |
The first time you create a backup, it might take a while depending on the number of items you need to back up. After that, backups should be quicker.
Back up e-mail in Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
Most people don't realize that e-mail isn't necessarily saved in backups the same way that other files are. That's because Outlook 2007 saves your e-mails in a Personal Folder File with a .pst extension that doesn't automatically get caught in normal backups. Unless you're using a Microsoft Exchange Server e-mail account or a third-party HTTP account (like Hotmail), you'll need to perform a few extra steps to make sure Outlook 2007 e-mails aren't lost forever if your computer goes belly up.
.PST files can be quite large, so it's a good idea to make sure your backup location has plenty of room—and that you allow lots of time for an e-mail backup to occur. Once you've done that, just follow these steps to back up your Outlook 2007 content:
1. | Open Outlook 2007. |
2. | Click File. |
3. | Click Import and Export. |
4. | Select Export to a File. |
5. | Click Next. |
6. | Select Personal Folder File (.pst).
 Outlook 2007 saves content as Personal Folder Files (.pst). |
7. | Click Next. |
8. | In the Export Personal Folders dialog box, select Personal Folders. |
9. | Place a check mark next to Include subfolders. |
10. | Click Next. |
11. | Browse to and select the location where you want to save the file. Remember, backups should not be placed onto your computer hard drive! |
12. | Choose the default setting Replace Duplicates with Items Exported. |
13. | Click Finish.
 Save your .pst file to another location so you can access e-mail in the event of data loss. |
In closing
See how quick and easy it is to protect yourself and your data from permanent loss? Backing up your data might take you a few extra minutes a few times a month, but you'll be glad you took that time if an emergency ever happens.
 | S.E. Slack
S.E. Slack is a lifestyle and technology writer with more than 10 books to her credit. She co-authored Breakthrough Windows Vista and Office 2007 Solutions to help you easily use Windows Vista and Office 2007. |
