Windows 7

1. Set the Backup:  To set up a backup in Windows 7 open up “Computer,” right-click on  your local drive, and select “Properties”. Then click on the “Tools” tab and click the “Back up now” button.

2. In the “Back up or restore your files” window, click the link to set up a backup.

3. Windows will search for a suitable drive to store the backup or you can also choose a location on your network. If you backup to a network location, you might need the password to the share.

4. You can have Windows choose what to backup or you can choose the files and directories manually.  Note: If you let Windows choose it will not backup “Program Files”, anything formatted with the FAT file system, files in the “Recycle Bin”, or any temp files that are 1GB or more.

5. Select the files and folder to include in the backup. Also, you can select the option to create an image of your local drive, but this is not necessary for most users.

6. Now review the backup settings to make sure everything looks correct.

7. You can also schedule the days and times a regular backup occurs.

8. Save the backup settings and begin your first backup; while it runs you can monitor the progress.

9. Click the View Details button to see exactly what is being backup during the process

10. When the backup is complete, you will see the two backup files (and image folder if you created one).

11. If you double click on the backup file, you can restore files or manage the size of the backups folder.