What to do Before You Make Any Changes to Your PC
Windows, for all its bugs, comes with some very useful features. Most of the newest forms of Windows (XP Systems, Vista, etc.) come with their own Backup and Restore features.
These features are safe and easy ways to make sure that your files and configurations are safe from a hard drive crash or from making changes to your PC that affect its performance.
What is Backup and Restore?
Windows provides you with the option to backup your computer using a simple Home Backup feature.. This allows it to save and condense all of the files and settings on your computer so that in the event of a hard drive crash, you restore your computer back to the way it was.
In Windows Vista, you would do this by going to the Start Menu -> All programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Backup Status and Configuration (or Backup and Restore Center). Once there, you can set up automatic backups, or request that your computer back up the files right away.
Once you have run the program, your computer will create a .bkf file. This is your backup file. It is a good idea to put this file on an external hard drive, as you are protecting your computer against your hard drive crashing. Should your hard drive crash and the backup file was on your hard drive, you may not be able to restore it. But if you are only backing up your computer because you are about to edit some important programs, it may not be as necessary.
In the event something happens to your computer, all you need to do is run the “restore” feature, and your Backup and Restore program will have been a success. The file will restore your computer to the data it had saved before the hard drive crashed.
When to Use Backup and Restore Features?
It is a good idea to back up your computer often, especially if you have files that you cannot afford to lose. Windows Vista has an automatic backup option, but you may simply want to run a full backup every few weeks or months depending on the amount of time you spend on the computer.
However, an important time to backup your computer is when you are going to adjust various settings that could drastically alter the performance of your PC. Should you be downloading dangerous software or changing the system files in your Windows folder, Backup and Restore becomes a necessary program to use to ensure no data is lost.
