what's the easiest way to back up all the files in my computer?

Answer 1

Since you said ALL files......

buy another hard drive, install it and use a DISK CLONE program such as ACRONIS.

I've used it many, many times and it works great and fast

Answer 2

If you are not too cheap, buy a hard drive. All ways save your data on that hard drive. Never store your data in the same partition where your Operating System is installed!

Windows default location for your date is buried in the Operating System. That is why so many people lose their data when windows have an issue and they do a restore or reinstall!

The default location for your data is

C:\documents and settings\YOUR FOLDER PROFILE NAME\local settings\MY Documents

To support not losing your data and backing it up:

First choice Use a different hard drive.

Second Choice Use a different partition on the same hard drive

Bad Choice, create a folder on the C: drive.

Which ever choice: Create a folder called MY Documents. Open the folder. Create a folder and call it WINWORD, copy this folder and paste it inside the My Documents folder. Keep pasting the same folder about ten times. The go back and RENAME the folders: Powerpnt, EXCEL, EXCESS, JPG, BIT, PDF, Utilities, Scanned Documents, My Music, My Video.

Open MS Word; go to TOOLS - Options - File Locations. Change the location to the drive letter on which you have created this MY documents: Drive letter:\My documents\winword
Close the program, open it again and create at test document, save it, close the program and open it again Click on file and you should see the test document at this location that you just created.

Do the same for Power Point, Excel and Access.

When you save any data, save it in the folder that you have created in this My Documents.

Save all drivers or software downloads in the Utility Folder, always make a folder for what you save in the Utilities folder.

To back up your data, just copy the My documents folder to a DVD.

Also, with in winword folder, create other folders for like data. Folder for Names and address, computer information, purchased items, what ever.

Use numbers and dates to organize your data. The name "0 0 0 0 ABC", will be listed before "A A A Do this".

Answer 3

"Easiest Way" ?
Use Windows Backup utility (Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup)


Other Ways

I usually backup my stuff on CDs every six months. Just manual copying of folders. You can try this method if you want.

You can buy an external hard drive and use a freeware backup utility. You can find those here
http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0-1-0.html?qt=backup&author=&titlename=&desc=&dlcount=&daysback=&swlink=&gfiletype=&os=&li=49&dlsize=&ca=2001

Hope this helps

Mahurshi Akilla

Answer 4

I recommend that you buy an external hard drive and then use the backup utility that came with Windows. You can find the backup utility by clicking Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Backup It's easy to use and it lets you choose which files and folders you want to backup.

Answer 5

Invest in a external USB/Firewire HDD,,,You can get a 500GB external for around $200-$250 easy.. Or if you are storing massive files you can get a 6 HDD storage unit with 500GB each for 3.0 TB or storage for around $999...I have 2TB external for all DVD and Music I can play them on the TV just fine easier than poping in each disk each time...Thanks

Answer 6

Just download True Image and backup your data to the external drive. It is the easiest and the safest way of backup
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

Answer 7

Get an external hard drive at least as big as the hard drive in your computer now and create a "disk image" of your entire hard drive on the external.

Answer 8

Yeah, Acronis True Image is the program you need. It is easy in use and it have all features you need to perform reliable backup/restore tasks. Even in case of breaking any hardware or OS you will be able to restore your data including OS with all your settings.

Answer 9

If you have a GMAIL account, upload it all to there Storage(3 gigs of free storage <3)here is a tutorial:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial125.html

If you need an invite to GMAIL, add me:
AIM:
t0manynam3stak3n
MSN:
[e-mail]

Answer 10

buy a external harddrive