How do I backup my files and folders in XP?

Windows XP comes with a backup tool called NTBACKUP (NTBACKUP.MSI from Windows XP CD-ROM). In Windows XP Home Edition, this tool has to be installed manually from the CD-ROM, whereas in Windows XP Professional, this tool is installed by default.

Double-click the Ntbackup.msi file in the following location on the Windows XP Home Edition CD to start a wizard that installs NTBackup: X:\VALUEADD\MSFT\NTBACKUP

X:\ refers to the CD-ROM drive-letter

Note: Usually, OEMs such as Compaq, DELL won't ship the Windows XP CD nor they include the NTBACKUP utility by default. You can download a copy of NTBACKUP.MSI here.

Backing up your files using NTBackup Utility:

Click Start, Run and type NTBACKUP

Select Backup tab at the top

In the left pane, scroll to the file/folder which you want to backup and put a checkmark on it.

At the bottom, mention the output filename (the backup output)

Once set, click Start Backup button in the right, and again click Start Backup in resulting dialog

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NTBACKUP does not have the ability to write to CDs directly. You will need to save the backup to hard drive, then transfer or burn it to a CD-ROM. Also, while backing up several files, make sure you backup the files in separate sets of each max 650MB (so that it fits on a CD-ROM)

See also

FREE Windows Backup Software add-on for NTBackup

Enhanced Windows Backup uses Windows' built in backup engine called Windows Backup (ntbackup.exe) which provides state-of-the-art core backup technology. Enhanced Windows Backup substantially extends the capabilities of NTBackup, providing an effective integrated backup solution.