How to Backup Files on a Windows Media Center
- 1). Select a type of back up. Depending upon the version of Windows Vista you are running, you may have to choose between an "Automatic backup" and a "Complete PC Backup." In Vista Home Basic, you will only have access to "Automatic backup." Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise offer both automatic and "Complete PC" back up options.
- 2). Choose automatic backup. If you only want to save the basic files and data that allow your PC to run, choose "Automatic backup." if you want to save everything, even the operating system, all files and folders, and additional software, than a "Complete PC" backup is appropriate.
- 3). Select the destination. Whether choosing an "Automatic" or "Complete" backup, you will need removable media upon which to store the information you are backing up. This may include, but is not limited to, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, flash drives, zip drives, or external hard drive. Once this destination is selected, follow the on-screen prompts to back up your information to that destination.
- 4). Restore your information. If you need to restore your information, Windows Vista has a graphic interface which you can use to restore all or part of your saved information. A "Complete PC" backup restore can return all the information saved onto the old computer (from which it came) or to a different computer. "System Restore" returns the computer to a previously saved status in order to resolve a problem it may have with assimilating a new application or adapting to a change in its files.
Source...