XP: Using System Restore and System Backup

Contributor Icon Contributed by AlexTheBeast Date Icon December 9, 2003  
Tag Icon Tagged: Windows

This tutorial describes the basics of using system restore and system backup on a windows XP machine. Performing these basic tasks is something that should be performed before doing risky behaviors such as registry editing.


Everybody should know how to make backups of your system before making major changes.

If you are making simple registry changes without additions, exporting your registry may be the easiest thing to do:
Backup or Restore the Registry

System restore and backup, however, are essential before more aggressive changes.

System Restore
System restores attempts to mirror your system. By making a system restore point, you can revert your system back to where it was before the changes. The following tech-recipes describe how to create and restore from a saved restore point.

– How to Create A Restore Point

– How to Restore a Restore Point

System Backup
XP includes a backup program that will easily backup multiple different aspects of your computer including the configuration and registry data.

Create A System Backup:

1. Got into the Start Menu and All Programs
2. Goto Accessories
3. Goto System Tools
4. Left click on Backup
5. System Backup Will Open
6. Select Switch to Advanced Mode
7. Click Backup Wizard
8. Click Next
9. Click Only Backup the System State Data
10. Click Next
11. Browse to the location of your choice, pick a name, and select Next
12. Click Finish
13. The backup system will crunch for while as it saves your data.
14. When it is finished click Close

Restore A System Backup:

1. Got into the Start Menu and All Programs
2. Goto Accessories
3. Goto System Tools
4. Left click on Backup
5. System Backup Will Open
6. On the main Backup screen just select Next
7. Select Restore Files and Settings and Next
8. Uncollapse the file by double clicking on your backup file
9. Select System State (and any other files that you have included, if you wish)
10. Click Next
11. Click Finish
12. You registry and files will be restored.

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  • mlfdat
    Hi
    Do you have enough faith in the Win XP Pro & Win SBS2003 Backup Utility to use it instead of GHOST?
    Thanks for your time
    Marcia
  • qmchenry
    I don't have experience directly with Windows backup utility, but I understand your concerns. Unless others share horror stories about bad experiences, the only way I would feel comfortable with this system of backup and recovery is to implement a full disaster recovery test on a non-production system that is more or less similar to any production systems you have. I know, yuck, but it sounds like you are taking this very seriously, which is the best defense for disaster recover and business continuity planning.

    I encourage others to share their experiences with this package. I'd like to know, too.

    Quinn
  • xprglze
    I have used system restore quite often and it works great in restoring the register when trying out new software. However, xp automatically deletes all my restore points whenever it runs out of space on the hard drive. Can you comment on whether there is any way to stop xp from this automatic deletion? I could not find any setting to disable this 'feature'.
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