Backup, it’s this topic again, backup is very important, haha, but...I also admit..."backup" is really troublesome!
Fortunately, Windows 7 finally "noticed" and "faced" this problem, and provided comprehensive support for computer data backup. Thank God, the "new" is really better in many places after all...
New media library
In the past, Windows wanted you to put your data together in "My Files". To a certain extent, this was a good thing. When you want to change computers, you just need to back up "My Files".
However, "My Files" is usually preset somewhere on the C drive by the system, and the C drive is where the system disk is. Therefore, Windows hopes that users put files and system disks on the same disk. To be honest, it increases the risk of file corruption, because the system disk is prone to viruses and disk damage, so this mandatory default is not a perfect choice. .
Another problem is that the C drive will also run out of space due to software installation. At this time, you must put the data on another disk, but doing so will scatter the data and destroy the original intention of "centralized management" of data.
Some experts will say, "Actually, the default folder of 'My Files' can be changed." To be honest, I know this (otherwise, how could I write it down). When using an Eee PC netbook, the instructions in the manual are It is recommended that users set "My Files" to the memory card to prevent the 4GB SSD hard drive from exploding. But... most people don’t know how to change it, and doing so still lacks flexibility and causes many problems.
It doesn't matter, Windows 7 uses the "Media Library" to solve the above problems.
If the folders that need to be backed up are scattered everywhere, you can use the new "Media Library" function in Windows 7 to centrally manage them. I personally think this concept is quite good.
The first principle of data backup: centralization and classification
Almost any folder, as long as you think it is "necessary" - you can right-click the mouse and put this folder into the "Media Library". So when you open the file manager, the top-level folder is also the media library.
The media library is very much like a "shortcut" and a "hyperlink". It can collect all data into the media library for your convenience. No matter whether the folder is placed on the C, E, F or G drive, or how deeply the data is hidden, as long as you right-click the mouse and select "Add to Media Library", the data folder can be found directly in the media library in the future.
The folder added to the media library is actually still in the same place, but there is an additional visible link in the media library. And when you want to copy or delete files, the files in the media library can also be managed in this regard. Therefore, as long as you usually manage the settings of the media library, it will be much easier to perform backup work.
Another benefit of the media library is that Windows 7 has built-in several important classified folders, such as photos, videos, documents, etc. If users need classified backups (some files have large amounts of data, such as photos and videos, some The amount of file information is small, such as files), and they can also be processed by category to avoid time and effort. In this way, it feels like Windows in the past just let users "fend for themselves" in data management, while Windows 7 is more like an "organism" with some more specific management mechanisms. Although this should not be the killer feature of Windows 7, I personally appreciate Microsoft's efforts and progress in this area, and it is worth a try.
What is a system image file?
In addition to the traditional file copy backup method, Windows 7 (in fact, Vista also has it) has added new functions such as "create system image file" and "create system repair disc". Many people may not understand what this is, so in this issue I will first explain the concept of "system image file".
From the Start menu and "Maintenance" of all programs, you can perform the backup and restore functions. "Create system image" is on the left.
In the past, when buying a computer, most computers would come with a "system CD". The previous system CD was actually the original Windows installation CD issued by Microsoft, probably plus a computer driver. Therefore, "original Windows CD" + "driver CD" have become essential tools for ordinary people to reinstall their computers.
However, from installation to completion, the installation of a computer's operating system often requires many "processes". You must first install Windows, install drivers, and install some necessary software (whether free or paid). Fortunately, reinstalling the system is not (at least it shouldn't be) something that needs to be done every day. It is enough to do it once every three or five years (but some people's cycle may be shorter).
However, due to multiple reasons such as viruses, hard disk damage, improper operation, etc., "reinstalling Windows" has become a recurring "nightmare" for many people. Some manufacturers have launched the so-called "system image file backup", which was the most famous early software. It should be Ghost. The pun "Ghost" interestingly conveys the function of this software: back up the "soul" of your hard drive, restore it when needed, and keep the hard drive operating as before.
The concept is not complicated. The so-called "system image file" is to package all the files on the hard disk into a "big package". With the concept of "carpet backup", all the files and necessary settings on the hard disk are Wait, package them together into a large package, make a so-called "system image file", and then save this system image file elsewhere for future "unexpected needs".
It should be noted that this "backup space" can be a CD or a hard disk, but in any case, this space cannot be the remaining space on the hard disk you plan to back up. You must find a place with different disk codes. For example, if you want to back up the C: disk, then you must put the backup space on a disk other than C:.
Benefits of creating system image files
When you install the computer and create a system image file, it is like buying insurance for the computer. When an accident does happen, reinstalling the computer can save a lot of work--the driver does not need to be reinstalled, and the application There is no need to reinstall the software, and the computer will be back to the same state as when you originally backed it up. Moreover, in addition to the built-in backup/restore function of Windows system, there are also many other software that provide richer backup functions. It's just that most of these software require additional purchases. Windows 7 has a lot of built-in related functions, which is a hassle-free thing!
But once you create a system image file at a certain point in time, you will immediately face some problems:
● In the future, the Windows system will be constantly modified due to usage. If you keep re-creating the complete system files every time, it will take up too much space, but it will also be unsafe if you do not back it up.
● If the system files are created on the same hard disk, but the disk codes are different (C: and D: on many people's computers are actually the same hard disk, but they are just "cut" into what looks like two logical disks), it is still unavoidable. Disaster caused by hard drive damage.
● Usually after backing up computer A, you can only use this system image file to restore computer A and cannot use it for computer B, but sometimes you really need to do this (because computer A is broken, or you want to Replace the old with the new).
Fortunately, there are some solutions to these problems. If the system continues to change in the future, no problem. Many software support so-called "incremental backup" (Windows 7 also has it), which allows you to continuously back up while maintaining space without expanding too much. As for the place to back up files, I would suggest that it is much safer to put it on another hard drive, or even putting it on a CD is also a good way. As for transplanting the system image file of computer A to system B, the proper term is "universal restore". This is more complicated and requires special backup/restoration software.
How to create a system image file
All in all, it is very important to create a "system image file". I think it is quite cost-effective to spend a little space to buy insurance for the Windows 7 system on your hard disk. So how do you create a "native system image file"?
Open the Start menu (there is no Start word now, only a Windows icon), select "All Programs", "Maintenance", select the "Backup and Restore" function to start. On the left side of this program, there is the item "Create System Image". Click on it to proceed with the steps of creating an image file.
When backing up, you can usually choose the system C: disk for backup, and a hidden system reserve disk that is not normally visible. If your system is simple, this is all the hard drive you need to choose. If your system is more complex, you may have to make more choices (and must have more space for backup to other disks). But if you are in a company and plan to back up the system image file to a "network disk", then your Windows 7 must be the Professional Edition, Ultimate Edition or Enterprise Edition.
It’s that simple!
Conclusion: The necessity of system repair disc
At the end of the backup, the program will ask you, "Do you want to create a system repair CD?" What is this? Why create a CD?
The process of creating a system image is not difficult, just make sure there is enough hard disk space on other disks. After the backup is completed, you can also make a system repair disc to be prepared.
Because, after most Windows systems "crash", most of them will be unable to even boot up. How can you repair your computer if you can't even boot into the system? How can you restore your system? Even if you clearly have a backup of your system, you can only sigh!
What's even better is that some netbooks don't even have a CD-ROM drive. How do you make a recovery CD?
Regardless of the problems of netbooks, at least ordinary "desktop computer" users need to know that when the Windows system on the hard disk crashes, there is still an optical drive left to help you "rescue". But if you don't make a rescue CD while the computer is functioning normally and study how to use it... then when something goes wrong, you will have to find someone to rescue you.
Hard drive rescue is difficult to say, easy to say, but the related professions are not that easy, so I won’t mention it here. My personal suggestion is, "Maintain your computer regularly to avoid crashes without tears." If you are lucky, your computer may be able to live very well without the need for a rescue CD! So, in this new year, I wish you all good luck.