The utility is called backup and it can be found in Start – Programs – Accessories – Backup. More quickly to access it is to type in Start – Run : ntbackup, which is the name of the this Windows utility. when you start it and the welcome screen shows you you select the Advanced Mode. In the Advanced Mode of the Backup Utility you have three options to choose: Backup Wizard, Restore Wizard and Automated System Recovery Wizard. The first option is if you want to make a more detailed of the directories and partitions, for example if you have important documents to another location. The second is used to restore an already made backup. The third is used to create a copy of the entire Windows Operating System which is usually located on C:\ partition. If by any circumstance your system is located elsewhere(another partition) you can select the first option and select manually from the drives.

If you choose Automated System Recovery Wizard you are asked on the next window screen only about the location of the backup file where it would be created. You are free to decide about the name and the destination of this file. Important is to have enough free space on that drive. Completing the Automated System Recovery Preparation Wizard is just the final stage. When you click on Finish the program will start processing and then the backup operation will start. The backup is made in one file which is having *.bkf extension. The process is taking about 10 minutes but could be also less. After the image of the operating system is completed you are prompted to insert the floppy disk. This is used if your system fails to boot and you must boot from the Windows XP installation CD. The diskette will help you start the rescue program and restore your backup image.

After all it’s done you can remove the floppy from its drive. You can also do scheduled automated backups with Schedule Jobs. sante.