Lesson 2. Using Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore

File-based backup and restore operations are designed primarily to protect users’ important documents and files. This can help minimize the size of backups and reduce the time it takes to create them. Although it does not include operating system information or applications, the idea is that you can recover these files and programs, using installation media.

The problem, however, is that it can take a significant amount of time to recover from the failure of an entire hard disk. The typical steps required in the case of complete data loss begin with the reinstallation of the Windows Vista operating system. Users then need to install device drivers, reinstall applications, update the operating system, and make all of the necessary configuration changes. Although complete data loss should be very rare, the recovery process can take several hours to complete. In this lesson, you’ll learn how the Complete PC Backup and Restore feature of Windows Vista can simplify this process.