Backup and Restore in Microsoft Vista

In my last post I talked about how to backup your data in Windows XP, so I decided to go ahead and move to Microsoft Vista in this one.

While Vista isn't exactly a favourite operating system for many, it does have a more elaborate backup and restore utility. The utility provides a lot of options that you can use to keep your data, and your computer, safe. Microsoft Vista includes the Backup and Restore Center. The functionality you receive with this tool depends on which version of Vista you are using.

The Backup and Restore Center includes the following options:

• Automatic Backup. The ability to automatically backup your files is included in all editions of Vista, with the exception of the Starter edition. While it is included in the Home Basic edition, it has limited functionality. For most, this feature can be used to ensure that their data is protected.
• Scheduled and Network Backup. This feature is not available in Home Basic, but all other editions include this within the Backup and Restore Center. When used in conjunction with Automatic Backup, you can backup your files to an external hard drive, secondary internal hard drive, CD or DVD, or even a network share. You can even schedule your backups so you don't have to remember to backup your files.
• Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore. Windows Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions include a feature that allows you to create a backup of your entire hard drive. This is very useful if you entire machine malfunctions and you need to get up and running very quickly. Instead of reinstalling Vista, and all your applications, your can simply restore an image of your hard drive and be up and running much quicker.
• System Restore. This tool makes restore points of your system at various times to help undo a problem caused by an application, or system change. This tool will restore to an earlier point, before the system change, so you can either avoid the problem or find a solution.

As you can see, Vista includes many great features to keeping your data and computer protected and safe. While it may not have all the features of a commercial backup software package, it has many features that many users can use to simply backup their data.