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An Alternative Backup Approach

The problem with Microsoft Backup is that it stores everything you backed up into one big file. You're forced to launch Microsoft Backup and dig through its interface every time you want to restore one or two files from the backup. On the upside, Backup does offer compression that you don't get when simply copying files. But if compression isn't an issue for you, here's a simple way to make a shortcut that backs up your files and lets you access them from any Explorer window.

First, create a folder on the destination media to hold your backups. Next, open a folder where you want your backup shortcut to reside (such as within the Start menu if you want to access it from a menu). Right-click in an empty area of the folder window and choose New, Shortcut. Type xcopy32 (Win 95 or 98) or xcopy (Win 2000 or NT) followed by the path to the source folder being backed up, the destination folder for the backup (such as a Jaz or Zip drive), and these switches: /d /r /h /s. Use quotation marks for paths with spaces or long folder names. For example, if you're using Win 9x to back up the My Documents folder to a backup folder on your h: drive, your command would look something like this: xcopy32 "C:\My Documents" H:\backup /d /r /h /s.

What does it mean? The /d switch copies new or newer files than those at the destination, so you don't have to figure out which ones still need backing up; the /r switch copies read-only files; the /h switch copies hidden and system files, and the /s switch copies subfolders within your source folder. Click Next and type a name for your backup shortcut, and click Finish (Win 95 and Win 2000) or (for Win 98) click Next, select an icon, and then click Finish. This shortcut will launch a DOS window, which should automatically close when finished. If you want the window to run minimized, right-click the shortcut and choose Properties. Click the Program tab (Win 98) or Shortcut tab (Win 95 and Win 2000), and choose Minimized from the Run drop-down list. In Win 98, you can also check "Close on exit," if necessary. Then click OK.

Windows NT users should take a slightly different approach: Instead of using the Create Shortcut wizard described above, type the xcopy command line into Notepad and save it as a command file with the .cmd extension; that way you can automate it with the AT command as explained in "Automation NT."

Now (depending on your operating system), just use System Agent, Task Scheduler, or whatever automation software you prefer to launch this shortcut on a regular basis. If you want to make backups every time you restart Windows, simply drag this shortcut (or a copy) into your Start\Programs\StartUp folder. To work with your backed-up files, use Explorer to navigate to the destination folder you specified. Now sit back and feel just a little bit more secure.

Send your tips and questions to scott_dunn@pcworld.com. We pay $50 for published items. Scott Dunn is a contributing editor for PC World and a principal author of The PC Bible, 2nd Edition (Peachpit Press, 1995).