Using commputers comes
with risks: your PC could crash, you could
lose data, and there’s no technical
support. Then backup your computers.
If you want to preserve the
information on your PC, please
back up your system before you install
software or upgrade your operating system.
While you can get backup software
from other companies, we recommend that
you use the software that comes with
Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 .
Here are pointers to get you started.
Backing up a PC running Windows 7
using Windows Easy Transfer
Windows Easy Transfer, included
in Windows 7, is used to transfer files
and settings between computers. You can
also use Windows Easy Transfer to create
a backup from your PC running the
Windows 7 to an external drive or flash
drive. Then install Windows 7 and launch
Windows Easy Transfer to re-import your
data and settings. To launch Windows
Easy Transfer simply open the Windows 7
Start Menu and type "easy" in the search
box without quotes. Click on Windows
Easy Transfer in the search results
under Programs.
Backing up a PC running Windows
Vista
To get an overview of back up
options for Windows Vista, see this
article:
Methods for backing up your files.
We recommend that you use the
Windows Backup and Restore
program. It comes with Windows Vista,
and is the best and easiest option for
backing up your PC. These articles show
how to use it:
Back up your files and
Restore files from backup.
Backing up a PC running Windows XP
We recommend that you use
software we've provided, Windows XP
Backup. If you have Windows XP
Professional or Windows XP Media Center
edition, the software is already
installed. If you have Windows XP Home
Edition, you'll need to install it.
Here's how:
Install Backup from the CD-ROM in
Windows XP Home Edition.
When you're ready to use Windows XP Backup,
here are a couple articles to get you
started:
Note: The backup methods
described here do not preserve
installed programs—only data.
Information about Windows 7
is preliminary and subject to change. Some
product features of Windows 7, such as the
ability to watch and record live TV or
navigation through the use of "touch," may
require advanced or additional hardware.
