Using Windows XP (home), is there an easy way to only backup new and changed files like in My Documents?

Question

I'm backing up to CD's. I don't have a lot of stuff, but have some big files and don't want to keep writing it to CD all over again. Right now i'm sort of keeping track in my head what I haven't backed up already.

Answer 1

Use the search tool. Under the Advanced options you are able to search by date, type in the date of your last backup and it will pull only the dates you request.

Answer 2

I'll try to recommend you another way of backup if you haven't familiar with it yet. Have you heard about backup software
(like Acronis True Image or Ghost, for ex.)? They offer the following ways of backup:
Full backup: when you just create a backup of all the critical data you need
Differential backup: after creating the first full backup you may save changes that were made since the base full backup; these changes will be saved as subsequent backup archive. So if you want to restore, you need the first full backup and the last differential subsequent backup archive.
Incremental backup: saves changes after the last (subsequent) backup. It means that when restoring you need the first full backup and the set of all incremental backups. Its benefits are in archives size that is smaller than under other ways of backup.

So, you may full backup your folders once, then perform incremental or differential backups regularly and changes will not require a lot of space

Answer 3

One easy way is to purchase an external hard drive (USB or firewire) that comes with backup software. You set it to backup changed files (also known as an incremental backup) whenever you want to. I prefer the IOMEGA brand as it has the most user friendly software. As a cheaper method you can install NTBACKUP follow this link http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q302894 and then you can burn the backup file to cd. Go for it!

Answer 4

I use this software and think it is the BEST VALUE for the money.

PLUS --- they have a FREE trial download so you can try the software BEFORE you buy.

* Continuous data protection for your work.
* Protection from mistakes and file corruption.
* Instant backup up to the second !
* Set it up and forget it. Completely automatic.
* Unlimited undo to any file version !

PLUS--- If you decide to purchase it's only $29.00!!!!

It's called Active Backup and you can view the details at:
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Answer 5

well 1. you could go to recent documents or 2. find some sort of filing system that keeps thoes most recent documets in one place like filing them by date (don't forget year )