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Software to backup data and files on a Windows computer

The title is the question: How can one implement a backup/recovery scheme on Windows Vista (laptop) that is reliable and doesn't simply involve rebuilding the installation from scratch? This would be either after a physical drive crash or some sort of software SNAFU that tanks the installed image.

(Note I don't ask for software recommendations since that is apparently against the rules.)

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Daniel R Hicks
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  • http://www.microsoft.com/athome/setup/backupdata.aspx#fbid=-XP6BjuVuo1 – akira Oct 02 '12 at 18:47
  • My main way of backing up a computer, use a external drive and a live OS like gparted, create a entire backup of the drive/partition monthly that your OS is on. – user88311 Oct 02 '12 at 18:47
  • ... using something like **dd** (adding to what user88311 said). – Karan Oct 02 '12 at 18:49
  • @akira -- I don't know about their "cloud" option, but regular "Windows Backup and Restore" does not backup your system, it only backs up your data. – Daniel R Hicks Oct 02 '12 at 18:52
  • So in other words you want software to install and just afk backup your computer for you, not 5 clicks of a button and making a live OS flash drive or disc. – user88311 Oct 02 '12 at 18:55
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    @DanielRHicks: no, it backups either a set of files .. or (and thats called a "system image") the system. either incrementally or full. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/System-Restore-frequently-asked-questions and http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Back-up-your-programs-system-settings-and-files – akira Oct 02 '12 at 18:55
  • @akira -- You are gravely mistaken. The "full backup" is not a restorable image. And "System Restore" restores nothing other than some registry items and a few file links. – Daniel R Hicks Oct 02 '12 at 18:58
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    @DanielRHicks: "Windows Complete PC Backup creates a backup image, which contains copies of your programs, system settings, and files". it is more sophisticated in windows7. but it stores _everything_. the amount of sophistication increases with the version of windows (home -> ultimate) you bought. also read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backup_and_Restore – akira Oct 02 '12 at 19:01
  • @akira - "Windows Complete PC Backup" is not installed on Vista Home Premium, which is what comes (er, came) on the vast majority of laptops. And I've never seen it for sale separately. – Daniel R Hicks Oct 02 '12 at 19:03
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    The question still isn't really a good fit here. It is asking for a protracted discussion. As you can see from these comments. – EBGreen Oct 02 '12 at 19:04
  • It's asking for an answer. How do I get that? – Daniel R Hicks Oct 02 '12 at 19:04
  • @DanielRHicks: "Manual image-based full system backup (including incremental backup) can be done on local or removable media in Windows 7 Home Premium." – akira Oct 02 '12 at 19:04
  • This still seems like the only possible answers would be software suggestions. – Ramhound Oct 02 '12 at 19:05
  • @Ramhound: since it is a software problem the only answers will be software related :) its just a trick question into "tell be what else to buy since i dont trust windows-internals". – akira Oct 02 '12 at 19:05
  • @akira -- Find the same statement for Vista. – Daniel R Hicks Oct 02 '12 at 19:47

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