Microsoft KB Archive/944172

= How to back up files in Windows Live OneCare =

Article ID: 944172

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Windows Live OneCare

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INTRODUCTION
This article describes how to back up files in Windows Live OneCare.



MORE INFORMATION
To help avoid the loss of important data, back up your files regularly.

Windows Live OneCare automatically creates a backup plan based on the type of hardware that you have connected to the computer. You can back up files on separate computers or you can use a central backup device for all the computers in your OneCare circle. For more information about supported backup devices for Windows Live OneCare, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

943913 Supported backup devices for Windows Live OneCare

Notes
 * A central backup device is a device on which the backup files are stored. All computers in a OneCare circle can use this central backup device.
 * A OneCare circle is a small network of computers that share the same Windows Live OneCare subscription.

To back up files in Windows Live OneCare, follow these steps:  Start Windows Live OneCare. Create a new backup plan or review the default backup plan. For more information about how to create a backup plan, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

943914 How to create a backup plan by using Windows Live OneCare

 In the Backup and Restore area, click Start backup.

Notes  If you use an external hard disk drive, make sure that the external hard disk drive is connected to the computer. Then, click Start backup. An external hard disk drive is a removable hard disk drive that can be connected to the computer. Windows Live OneCare backup supports external hard disk drives that are connected through universal serial bus (USB) connections or through IEEE 1394 (Firewire) connections.  If you are performing a backup for the first time, click Start backup.

If you have previously backed up your files, use one of the following backup methods:  Back up files that have changed since the last backup. If you want to perform an incremental backup, use this method. To perform an incremental backup, click Express backup, and then click Start backup. To see which files were backed up, click View details after the backup is completed.

Note An incremental backup will only back up those files that were created or that were changed since the last full backup was performed.</li> Perform a full backup. If you want to back up all the files that you selected in your backup plan, use this method. Click Start a new backup, and then click Start backup. To see which files were backed up, click View details after the backup is completed.

Note A backup plan is a collection of backup settings in Windows Live OneCare. You can use the backup plan to make the following selections:  The types of files that you want to back up</li> The location where you want to store the backup</li> The number of times that you want to run the backup process</li></ul> </li></ul> </li> Click Finish.</li></ol>

Notes
 * Windows Live OneCare backs up data files, such as documents and pictures. Windows Live OneCare does not back up operating system files. If the computer experiences a major data loss, you have to reinstall any affected software. In some problem scenarios, you may also have to reinstall the Windows operating system.
 * Windows Live OneCare performs a full backup copy of all the files and the folders that you selected in your backup plan the first time that you performed a backup. If you use a disc burner as a local backup device, Windows Live OneCare also performs a full backup during the yearly backup. Usually, incremental backups are performed separately from the yearly backup.

Notes
 * A disc burner is a disc drive that can write, or record, information, in addition to being able to read information. Examples of disc burners are a CD-R drive, a CD-RW drive, a DVD-R drive, and a DVD-RW drive.
 * A yearly backup is a full backup of the important files and the important folders that are saved on the computer. The yearly backup starts a new backup collection. The yearly backup is the first backup that is performed after the beginning of the year.
 * A Windows Live OneCare backup temporarily uses some free space on the hard disk. The free space is approximately equal to the size of the files and the folders that are being backed up. If you receive an error message that states that there is not enough free disk space to perform the backup operation, run the Disk Cleanup tool to create more space on the hard disk. Or, select fewer files at a time for backup.

Note A hard disk is used for long-term storage and for retrieval of data that is required by the computer. The programs, the operating system, and most of the files are stored on the hard disk.

Keywords: kbhowto kbinfo kbexpertisebeginner KB944172

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