For this project, you set up the Backup and Restore Wizard in Windows 7 to perform a bac...

For this project, you set up the Backup and Restore Wizard in Windows 7 to perform a backup to an external hard drive. You will need access to an external hard drive, such as one that connects through a USB interface. Also, a backup should not have already been configured on your computer (if it is, skip to Hands-On Project 7-5, or check with your instructor). You need Administrator privileges to perform this activity.

To configure a backup in Windows 7:

1. Click Start and click Control Panel.

2. Ensure that View by is set for Large icons or Small icons and click Backup and Restore.

3. Click Set up backup (see Figure 7-11).

4. In the Select where you want to save your backup window, click the backup destination, such as the external hard drive, and click Next.

5. Make sure that Let Windows choose (recommended) is selected in the What do you want to backup? window. Click Next.

6. Review the backup settings. Notice that System image is included. This is a binary image of the entire hard drive that can be used to restore the entire system, including the operating system, such as when you have to replace a damaged hard drive.

7. If you have permission from your instructor and there is enough room on the external hard drive, click Save settings and run backup. (A backup may take quite a lot of time, even several hours, but you do not have to be present for the entire time.) If you cannot perform a backup at this time, click Cancel, instead, and stop here.

8. In the Backup and Restore window, notice that the backup is in progress.

9. When the backup is completed, notice that you can click the Options button in the Backup and Restore window for information about the results, such as to view a listing of open files that have been skipped.

10. Close the Backup and Restore window.