Getting Started - Windows 7

6 Getting Started
What’s Next?
To protect your information, use Windows® Backup and Restore to back up individual files
and folders, back up your entire hard drive (select models only), create system repair discs
(select models only), or create system restore points. In case of system failure, you can use
the backup files to restore the contents of your computer.
Windows Backup and Restore provides the following options:
■ Creating a system repair disc (select models only)
■ Backing up individual files and folders
■ Creating a system image (select models only)
■ Scheduling automatic backups (select models only)
■ Creating system restore points
■ Recovering individual files
■ Restoring the computer to a previous state
■ Recovering information using recovery tools
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For instructions on these procedures, go to Help and Support.
Backing up
Recovery after a system failure is as complete as your most current backup. You should
create system repair discs (select models only) and your initial backup immediately after
software setup. As you add new software and data files, you should continue to back up your
system on a regular basis to maintain a reasonably current backup. The system repair discs
(select models only) are used to start up (boot) the computer and repair the operating system
in case of system instability or failure. Your initial and subsequent backups allow you to
restore your data and setting if failure occurs.
You can back up your information to an optional external hard drive, a network drive, or discs.
Note the following when backing up:
■ Store personal files in the Documents library, and back it up regularly.
■ Back up templates that are stored in their associated programs.
■ Save customized settings that appear in a window, toolbar, or menu bar by taking a
screen shot of your settings. The screen shot can be a time-saver if you have to reset
your preferences.
■ When backing up to discs, use any of the following types of discs (purchased
separately): CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, or DVD±RW.
The discs you use will depend on the type of optical drive installed on the computer
(select models only) or the optional external optical drive you use.
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DVDs and DVDs with double-layer (DL) support store more information than
CDs, so using them for backup reduces the number of recovery discs required.
■ When backing up to discs, number each disc before inserting it into the optical drive
(select models only) or optional external optical drive.
Backing up and recovering