HOW TO: Use Backup to Back Up Files and Folders in Windows NT 4.0

This step-by-step article describes how to back up files and folders on a Windows NT Server 4.0-based or Windows NT Workstation 4.0-based computer. After you have backed up your data, you can restore it from tape.

Requirements

• A computer (that meets the requirements that are listed on the appropriate Hardware Compatibility List) on which Windows NT Server 4.0 or Windows NT Workstation 4.0 is installed.
• A tape drive (that meets the requirements that are listed on the appropriate Hardware Compatibility List) must be installed in the computer, and a tape must be inserted in the drive.

Backing Up Files and Folders on a Windows NT 4.0 Computer

Tape backup is an important part of a network's fault-tolerance plan. You can use Windows NT Backup to back up files and folders on a Windows NT 4.0-based computer, both locally and across the network. If you want to back up remote files, you must first connect to a shared folder on the server where the remote files are located.

NOTE: Windows NT Backup can only back up the Registry or event logs on the Windows NT 4.0-based computer on which the tape drive is installed.

Because Windows NT Backup does not back up files that are locked open by programs, you should notify users to close files before you start the backup job. Or, you can start the backup job at a time when users do not have access to files, such as after business hours.

To back up files and folders, you need to either be a member of the administrators, backup operators, or server operators groups, or you must have the "Back up files and directories" user right. To back up files and folders:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools (Common), and then click Backup.
2. In the Backup dialog box, click Drives on the Window menu.
3. If you want to back up an entire drive or drives, click to select the check boxes next to the drives you want to back up. If you want to back up specific files or folders on a drive, double-click the drive to expand it. Then continue to expand folders until the files or folders you want to back up are displayed. Next, click to select the check box next to each file and folder you want to back up. If you then want to select files on another drive, click Drives on the Window menu, and then expand the drive and click to select the check box next to each file and folder you want to back up. When you have finished selecting files and folders to be backed up, click Backup.
4. In the Backup Information dialog box, type a name for the tape in the Tape Name box. In the Description box, type a description of the backup. Select the backup type you want to use, and then select the backup options you want to use for this backup.
   
   NOTE: If you select the Verify After Backup option, the amount of time that is needed for the backup is approximately doubled.
   
   After you have configured all of the tape and backup options, click OK. If a Replace Information dialog box is displayed, click Yes to overwrite the existing data on the tape.
5. Windows NT Backup backs up the selected data. When the backup is complete, click OK in the Backup Status dialog box. Quit Windows NT Backup to complete the process of making a backup on your Windows NT 4.0-based computer.

For additional information about how to restore data from tape, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For additional information about how to schedule a backup job, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: