Vista:: CompletePC Backup

Another nice feature we have in Windows Vista now is CompletePC Backup. With this tool we can create a complete backup image of the running system. This image can be used to restore the pc after a for example a system failure. How do can we use it its simple open the “Backup and Restore Center” which can be found by the search capabilities just type in backup and you will find it.

The screenshot below shows us the possibilities of the “Backup and Restore Center”, here you can configure the backup schedule to backup your files every day, weekly or monthly. You will have to select which type of documents, data you want to backup

The backup will then use the “shadow copy” functionality to create the backup of your data.

Once a backup has been made the use Restore files button (now grayed out) to restore data from a previous or the last backup.

If we look back at the CompletePC Backup which was the main item of this post. Just click on “Back up computer” to create a backup image.You then have the possibility to choose where you want to store the image. You can store it on DVD(s), internal or external disk.The CompletePC backup tool will then produce a block level backup by using the VSS (Volume shadowing service) technology. The output of the backup is a file based on the VHD format which is also used within Vitrual PC and Server.

You can now restore your system with the Windows Recovery Environment by pressing F8 at boot time or by using the Vista Install CD (choose “Windows CompletePC backup”). I think this is a great tool which was unfortunately not available under Windows XP. It will it make it much easier to create backup’s of my home systems and to be up and running again within minutes. Way cool .

Technorati Tags: CompletePC Backup, Vista