Vista - Backup Files

**Brink**

How to Backup Files with Optional Automatic Backups in Vista

Information

This will show you how to backup selected file types on your computer manually or with optional automatic backups.

To make sure you do not lose the file types that you create, modify, and store on your computer, you should back them up regularly. You can manually back up your file types any time or set up automatic backups. The ability to set up automatic backups is not included in the Vista Home Basic edition, but you can still do manual backups. For more information, see: Windows Help and How-to: Back up and Restore: FAQs

NOTE

Backups are saved in this format: (backup location)\(computer name)\Backup Set (year-month-day) (time)

If the backup was done on Local Disk D: at 9/7/2007 1:00:50 PM (It uses 24 hour time), then the full backup file path would be: D:\Computer\Backup Set 2007-09-07 130050
You would right click the folder Backup Set 2007-09-07 130050 and click Delete to delete that backup.
To see what your computer name is, see: How to Change the Computer Name in Vista

WARNING

This type of backup does not backup the Vista operating system files, EFS encrypted files, Programs, files in the Recycle Bin, Temporary Files (temporary internet files), and User profile settings.. You must create a Complete Computer Backup and Restore Image for this. See: How to Create a Complete Computer Backup and Restore Image in Vista

RELATED LINKS:

Here's How:

1. Open the Control Panel. (Classic View)

2. Click on the Backup and Restore Center icon.

3. Click the Back up Files button. (See screenshot below)

4. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.

5. Select a location to save the backup to and click on Next. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You cannot save the backup on the same partition that Vista is on. You can save the backup to a different partition, but it would be best to not save the backup on the same hard drive in case it fails.

6. Select the files you want to backup and click on Next. (See screenshot below)

7. Setup how often, when, and at what time your computer will perform automatic incremental backups from now on.
(See screenshot below)
NOTE: You can turn off automatic backups later if you want, and just do them manually. See step 15 below. Automatic backups is not included in Vista Home Basic.

8. Click the Save settings and start backup button when done.
NOTE: The left screenshot is if this is the first time. The right screenshot is if you are changing the settings from step 17 below. Check the box, boxed in red, if you want to also do a backup now to. If you changed the location in step 5, then this box will be grayed out and a backup will be required to run.

9. You will now see this. (See screenshot below)

10. If you selected a CD/DVD location to save the backup in step 5, then you will see this to. (See screenshots below)
A) Just insert a blank DVD and click on OK.

11. When the backup is completed, you will see this. (See screenshot below step 12)

12. Click on Close.

13. Now that you have done a backup, you will see Change Settings under the Back up Files button from step 3. (See screeshot below)
NOTE: You can also click the Advanced restore link under Restore Files from the screenshot below step 4 and click on Back Up Files in the left pane.

14. To Change Backup Settings -
A) Click on Change Settings. (See screenshot below step 17)
NOTE: Since you have created a backup, Change Setings will be added now in the screenshot below step 4.

15. To Turn Automatic Backups On or Off -
NOTE: You will need to do step 14 first. Automatic backups is not included in the Vista Home Basic edition.
A) Click on the Turn Off or Turn On button at the bottom. (See screenshot below)

B) Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.

16. To Update a Backup -
NOTE: You will need to do step 14 first. This will start updating the backup files immediately.
A) Click on Back up now. (See screenshot below step 17)

B) Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.

17. To Change Settings for Backup -
NOTE: You will need to do step 14 first.
A) Click on Change backup settings. (See screenshot below)

B) Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.

C) Go to step 5.

That's it,
Shawn

bestbett · 06-24-2008

When I try to back up my files and folders with Vista Home Edition x64 (I've tried twice now), the backup gets partway through, and then I get this error message: 0X80070015 Device Not Ready

When I re-started the backup, it appeared to pick up where it left off, as if it were doing an incremental backup. However, I've yet to manage a complete system backup. Why am I getting this bogus error messge? Anybody know how to get arround it.

I checked out the Backup Tutorial. It was helpful only insofar as it let me know that I was indeed doing all the correct steps. So why am I getting this error message? From what I've been reading, it is apparently a common problem. Any suggestions on how to work around it? It's driving me nuts!

**Brink** · 06-24-2008

Hello Bestbett,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

I have just a few questions to help find out what the problem may be first:

1. What device are you using to backup on?
If it's something like a RW DVD, then it may just be worn out.

2. If it is a hard drive or another partition, you might run chkdsk /f on it to check and fix any corruption that may be on it.

3. Is there enough free space left on this device?

4. Have you tried to backup on another device or media to see if it is just the device you are using?

Shawn

bestbett · 06-25-2008

Thanks for getting back to me so fast, Shawn.

I'm backing up to completely new Verbatim brand CD-R's. I have not yet tried to backup to any other device or media.

I do have a Fantom drive on my home network that I use for most backups, but I was trying to make a separate backup that I could put in the firesafe. I guess I can try backing up to the Fantom drive to see if I get the same error message, and go from there. What do you think? Of course, that still won't give me a separate backup to put in the firesafe for -- ahem! pardon the pun! -- safe keeping.

Bett

**Brink** · 06-25-2008

Bett,

Not real sure on this one.

Have you had any problems using this brand and type of CD-R's with your drive for burning files to? Sometimes some brands or types will just not work on a drive.

You might also check to see if you have a security program that may be interfering with the backup.

Shawn

bestbett · 06-25-2008

Shawn,

No, I've never had problems with this brand/type of CD-R. However, you had a good idea. This is a new laptop that came with not only Vista but also with Norton Internet Security pre-installed. I am not a fan of Norton's. I took it off ever other computer because it too often interfered with things. Maybe that is the problem. Don't know why I didn't think of it before! I'm new to Vista and just figured it had to be a Vista problelm, I guess.

I'll turn of Norton's and try again. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Thanks!

Bett

**DonH** · 07-01-2008

Shawn,

I thought I'd address this here. The problem I have with the categories for file backups is not being sure that everything that you want backed up is being backed up. I've had unpleasant backup surprises before and I try to make sure I don't miss something important.

For example, I work on website development. Are all files for the site backed up? Are they Documents, Pictures, Movies, Other Files?? Downloaded Programs? Etc...

I had automatic backups running and suddenly, the amount of space skyrocketed. I had to delete the backup set and never did figure out what was or wasn't backed up or what caused such a dramatic spike in size.

I love the idea of having shadow copies and automatic backups, but either the Vista backup is not specific enough for my comfort, or I'm just afraid of the unknown! I'd sure hate to give up on it, if I just need to adjust to a different workflow.

The more I learn about some of the vista features that are not readily apparent, the more I realize that this is really well thought out and sophisticated software. It takes some unlearning of old habits and expectations, though.

**Brink** · 07-01-2008

Don,

If you would like to be sure, you can manually copy and paste the files to a DVD or other media. This way you can look at the files and know what is backed up. That's the only thing I do not like about he Back Up Files options. You cannot see the actual files that are backed up since they are coded and compressed.

Another option is the Complete PC Backup. Unlike the Back Up Files, the entire hard drive or partition that Vista is on is cloned instead of just certain file types in it.

Backup Complete Computer

Hope this helps some,
Shawn

**DonH** · 07-04-2008

Thanks Shawn,
I recently bought an external USB drive and decided to do a file backup to it and explore what was and was not backed up. There were a lot of empty folders that I had to wade through. :-( I found a lot of graphic and text files that were part of program documentation or interfaces that would be replaced when re-installing the program. And finally, I found a frustrating number of files that are frequently changed that were not backed up.

This is in Vista Business. It will work fine for my wife's system. But it's not fit for a business system. The category system is too "dumbed down" without any ability to fine tune. I'm sure there are 3rd party programs that make use of the shadow copy system and give more control over what to include and exclude.

It's frustrating that nowhere in any of the columns, whitepapers, and tech notes in the various consumer and tech areas on Microsoft is there a good explanation of what is and is not included in the categories.

I'm glad I didn't have to rely on any of the earlier backups!

Don

**Brink** · 07-05-2008

Don, I would agree. A good 3rd party backup program to use is Acronis True Image. You can try out a 15 day trial version from the link below to see how you like it.

Complete hard disk drive copy, cloning and image backup software: computer files and disk copying

Hope this helps,
Shawn

06-24-2008
bestbett Vista Home Premium x64 3 posts	Backup Files and Error 0X80070015 When I try to back up my files and folders with Vista Home Edition x64 (I've tried twice now), the backup gets partway through, and then I get this error message: 0X80070015 Device Not Ready When I re-started the backup, it appeared to pick up where it left off, as if it were doing an incremental backup. However, I've yet to manage a complete system backup. Why am I getting this bogus error messge? Anybody know how to get arround it. I checked out the Backup Tutorial. It was helpful only insofar as it let me know that I was indeed doing all the correct steps. So why am I getting this error message? From what I've been reading, it is apparently a common problem. Any suggestions on how to work around it? It's driving me nuts!
My System Specs

06-24-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Backup Files Hello Bestbett, Welcome to Vista Forums. I have just a few questions to help find out what the problem may be first: 1. What device are you using to backup on? If it's something like a RW DVD, then it may just be worn out. 2. If it is a hard drive or another partition, you might run chkdsk /f on it to check and fix any corruption that may be on it. 3. Is there enough free space left on this device? 4. Have you tried to backup on another device or media to see if it is just the device you are using? Shawn
My System Specs

06-25-2008
bestbett Vista Home Premium x64 3 posts	Re: Backup Files Thanks for getting back to me so fast, Shawn. I'm backing up to completely new Verbatim brand CD-R's. I have not yet tried to backup to any other device or media. I do have a Fantom drive on my home network that I use for most backups, but I was trying to make a separate backup that I could put in the firesafe. I guess I can try backing up to the Fantom drive to see if I get the same error message, and go from there. What do you think? Of course, that still won't give me a separate backup to put in the firesafe for -- ahem! pardon the pun! -- safe keeping. Bett Last edited by bestbett; 06-25-2008 at 02:35 PM.. Reason: Add signature
My System Specs

06-25-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Backup Files Bett, Not real sure on this one. Have you had any problems using this brand and type of CD-R's with your drive for burning files to? Sometimes some brands or types will just not work on a drive. You might also check to see if you have a security program that may be interfering with the backup. Shawn
My System Specs

06-25-2008
bestbett Vista Home Premium x64 3 posts	Re: Backup Files Shawn, No, I've never had problems with this brand/type of CD-R. However, you had a good idea. This is a new laptop that came with not only Vista but also with Norton Internet Security pre-installed. I am not a fan of Norton's. I took it off ever other computer because it too often interfered with things. Maybe that is the problem. Don't know why I didn't think of it before! I'm new to Vista and just figured it had to be a Vista problelm, I guess. I'll turn of Norton's and try again. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Thanks! Bett
My System Specs

07-01-2008
DonH Vista Business 32bit 11 posts	Re: Backup Files Shawn, I thought I'd address this here. The problem I have with the categories for file backups is not being sure that everything that you want backed up is being backed up. I've had unpleasant backup surprises before and I try to make sure I don't miss something important. For example, I work on website development. Are all files for the site backed up? Are they Documents, Pictures, Movies, Other Files?? Downloaded Programs? Etc... I had automatic backups running and suddenly, the amount of space skyrocketed. I had to delete the backup set and never did figure out what was or wasn't backed up or what caused such a dramatic spike in size. I love the idea of having shadow copies and automatic backups, but either the Vista backup is not specific enough for my comfort, or I'm just afraid of the unknown! I'd sure hate to give up on it, if I just need to adjust to a different workflow. The more I learn about some of the vista features that are not readily apparent, the more I realize that this is really well thought out and sophisticated software. It takes some unlearning of old habits and expectations, though.
My System Specs

07-01-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Backup Files Don, If you would like to be sure, you can manually copy and paste the files to a DVD or other media. This way you can look at the files and know what is backed up. That's the only thing I do not like about he Back Up Files options. You cannot see the actual files that are backed up since they are coded and compressed. Another option is the Complete PC Backup. Unlike the Back Up Files, the entire hard drive or partition that Vista is on is cloned instead of just certain file types in it. Backup Complete Computer Hope this helps some, Shawn
My System Specs

07-04-2008
DonH Vista Business 32bit 11 posts	Re: Backup Files Thanks Shawn, I recently bought an external USB drive and decided to do a file backup to it and explore what was and was not backed up. There were a lot of empty folders that I had to wade through. :-( I found a lot of graphic and text files that were part of program documentation or interfaces that would be replaced when re-installing the program. And finally, I found a frustrating number of files that are frequently changed that were not backed up. This is in Vista Business. It will work fine for my wife's system. But it's not fit for a business system. The category system is too "dumbed down" without any ability to fine tune. I'm sure there are 3rd party programs that make use of the shadow copy system and give more control over what to include and exclude. It's frustrating that nowhere in any of the columns, whitepapers, and tech notes in the various consumer and tech areas on Microsoft is there a good explanation of what is and is not included in the categories. I'm glad I didn't have to rely on any of the earlier backups! Don
My System Specs

07-05-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Backup Files Don, I would agree. A good 3rd party backup program to use is Acronis True Image. You can try out a 15 day trial version from the link below to see how you like it. Complete hard disk drive copy, cloning and image backup software: computer files and disk copying Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

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