Windows Vista and Windows 7 are both great operating systems with some features that are undiscovered by many of their users. In this edition of Tech Helpline’s Lifeline, we explore the options you have as a Windows Vista or Windows 7 user to back up your computer and files.

Complete PC Backup

If you own Windows Vista Business, Ultimate or Windows 7 Home Premium, you have access to the ability to completely back up your computer in case of a catastrophic hard drive crash or powerful virus. This is the best form of backup and all it requires is an external hard drive and time to set aside to start the process.

In Windows Vista Business and Ultimate:
Click the Start button on the lower left-hand corner. Type in “Backup” but do not press enter. Look for “Backup Status and Configuration” to appear in the search list and click on that. Click on “Complete PC Backup.” Click “Create a backup now” and follow the prompts to select the external device (external hard drive, usually) onto which you’d like to back up your computer. You will be asked which drive to back up.; usually this is the “C:” drive.

In Windows 7:
Click the Start button on the lower left-hand corner. Type in “Backup” but do not press enter. Look for “Back up your computer” to appear in the search list and click on that. Click on “Create a system image.” Select the external device (external hard drive, usually) to which you will be backing up your computer. You will be asked which drive to back up; usually this is the “C:” drive.

The process may take an hour or more. The Complete PC backup is for major backups. Follow with regular backups as instructed below to have the latest inventory of your more important files backed up  while using the complete backup as a good starting point to recover from in case of a crash.


Windows Vista and 7′s built-in backup features

Windows Vista and 7 hold the tools to also periodically back up your more important files on a regular schedule. This process is rather quick and painless. Being that this exists in windows itself, you can use this process on any computer manufactured in the last four years with Windows on it.

In Windows Vista:
Click the Start button on the lower left-hand corner. Type in “Backup” but do not press enter. Look for “Backup Status and Configuration” to appear in the search list and click on that then click on “Back Up Files”. Click “Set up automatic file backup” and follow the prompts to select the external device (external hard drive or USB Flash drive, typically) to which you would like to back up your files. You will then be presented with options for which files you would like to back up.

In Windows 7:
Click the Start button on the lower left-hand corner. Type in “Backup” but do not press enter. Look for “Back up your computer” to appear in the search list and click on that and then click on “Set up backup”. Select the external device (external hard drive or USB Flash drive, typically) to which you will be backing up your files. You will then be presented with options for which files you would like to back up, including allowing Windows to choose for you (recommended).


Backing up a computer is essential for keeping your valuable documents, photos and records around. Just a few minutes of your time can save you from unnecessary stress, anxiety, and in the case of businesses, lost revenue.

Contributions to this article were made by Allen Williams, Tech Helpline Technical Analyst

About Tech Helpline
The Tech Helpline goal is to provide superior technology support services to all. We have been in operation for ten years, and our talented, US-based analysts share a passion for technology and are here to help you with your technology questions.

Keybr.com incorporates instructional lessons with fun, short typing exercises. Lessons start simple with home row keys and gradually add upper and lower rows into the exercises. Rather than typing random characters or letter combinations that you’d never use in real life, this program keeps it realistic by providing common words that follow phonetic rules of your native language. Currently, you can choose from seven different languages to practice with, including English, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French and Russian.

This typing tool is free, easy to access, and doesn’t require any special computer software or add-ons. Simply type in the website address, www.keybr.com, create an account, and in minutes you’re on your way to becoming the world’s fastest typist! For those serious about such a claim, you’ll be excited to see you can compete with other visitors by reviewing the week’s high scores. After every exercise, you’ll have access to your own mini performance review which includes your top speed, average speed, number of errors and even gives you graphical data to show how you’ve progressed over time.

Its most unique feature, which helps it standout from others, is the customization aspect. Enjoy typing topics of interest by uploading your own text. Keep up to date on the latest entertainment news or technology reviews by adding website articles or blogs directly to your account. Learning made fun and easy, finally!

Tech Helpline’s goal is to provide superior technology support services, including: online technical support, computer repair, spyware removal, virus protection, helpdesk outsourcing, business it support, pc support, remote support, data recovery services and desktop support. We’ve been in operation for ten years and currently support more than 250,000 individuals. Our offices and staff are located in the USA, in Orlando, Florida. http://www.TechHelpline.com