Taking Backup Using Windows XP Built-in NTBackup.Exe Tool

Think of a day when your computer suddenly fails to turn on and you realize that there are many crucial files lying inside your hard drive for which, you had never cared to take any backup. Now, if you want that data back, it would mean to invest in expensive tools from data rescue labs. You must be thinking that – how useful it would have been if you had backed up data in the first place. To prevent such problematic scenario to happen with you, it is necessary to frequently and regularly take backups of your essential data files. It will not take long to backup the files.

Backup data can be stored in CD, portal hard drives, flash drives, external hard drives, and also in the network drives. If you do not want to regularly take the backups manually every time; then, you can just set the backup software for a schedule run, which will perform the backup operation regularly as per the scheduled time and date.

You must be aware that there is no need to backup the software applications; as they can always be reinstalled if and when your hard drive crashes. The files that you always need to backup are your MS Office, Excel databases, music files, video files, image files etc.

Backup Process Using Windows XP Built-in Backup Program (ntbackup.exe)

First of all, you have to open ntbackup.exe. For that, go to Start » Programs » Accessories » System Tools » Backup
         OR
You can just go to Start > Run and type ntbackup.exe there

You will see the backup and restore wizard window.

Click “Next”

You will be asked to backup files and settings or to restore files and settings.

Click “Next”

You will be prompted to select the kind of files you wish to backup

You will be asked to select a saving location to save the backup files. It is always recommended to save the backup files to another drive instead of the same C drive.

You will be asked to select a saving location to save the backup files. It is always recommended to save the backup files to another drive instead of the same C drive.

Click “Finish” to backup the files as a Normal Mode
         OR
You can also click “Advance” for more backup options. If you click the ‘Advanced Mode’, you can choose the Backup Mode from the following:

      Normal Mode: Backup is taken of some selected files and each file is marked as backup.

      Copy Mode: Backup is taken of some selected files, but files are not marked as backed up.

      Incremental Mode: Backup is taken of some selected files only if they were created or modified since the previous backup.

     Differential Mode: Backup is taken of some selected files only if they were created or modified since the previous backup, but files are not marked as backed up.

     Daily Mode: Backup is taken of only those files that were created or modified today.