Windows Vista Backup & Restore Center Review Discussion

[Greg]

by Greg Ross

While many previous versions of Windows include have some type of archival utility, Vista Backup & Restore Center is billed as the first Windows system restore tool that could replace aftermarket data retention software. Does this free utility have what it takes? Or is the Backup & Restore Center yet more bloatware from Redmond? We make the call inside.

Read the full content of this Article: Windows Vista Backup & Restore Center Review

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[JPZ]

by Greg Ross

While many previous versions of Windows include have some type of archival utility,

Might want to correct this.

It's a shame that the vast majority of Vista users will never even think about backing up their computer. I don't see this tool getting much use because the people whom I imagine would want to use it likely won't have Vista Business or Ultimate.

[Don Quixote]

Thank you for nice information. The article covers how to backup/restore the entire system but I'm also wondering if it's possible to backup/restore selected folders.

[Greg]

Thank you for nice information. The article covers how to backup/restore the entire system but I'm also wondering if it's possible to backup/restore selected folders.

That is perhaps the biggest downfall of this program...there is NO way to backup select folders or files.

While choosing specific locations or files is not possible, Vista's Backup & Restore Center does allow users to choose what types of files are preserved in an archive.

We played with this tool for quite some time trying to see if this was possible, it was not.

[L4d_Gr00pie]

I was pretty disappointed with vista's complete PC backup. I had vista business 64bit, and I did a complete pc backup shortly after getting my laptop, in case I mess something up. Well I've only had to restore once, because my windows update stopped working, and after formatting and restoring my windows image, the windows update still didn't work, so I had to do a clean install :/

[TehSuigi]

That is perhaps the biggest downfall of this program...there is NO way to backup select folders or files.

Fixed in 7.

[Evaders99]

This review seems kind of late, esp since Windows 7 RTM.

Of course, I have to mention Windows Home Server - which takes out a lot of the hassle of backups. It can restore the entire OS if necessary. Probably one of the best products from Microsoft, only lacking the marketing and features from Media Center.

[a75user]

i understand there is recession but this is rather lame.
nothing about command line options which allow to handle backup sets for example

[Greg]

This review seems kind of late, esp since Windows 7 RTM.

Of course, I have to mention Windows Home Server - which takes out a lot of the hassle of backups. It can restore the entire OS if necessary. Probably one of the best products from Microsoft, only lacking the marketing and features from Media Center.

Windows 7 is not available to the general public yet, though I think we do hope to see a review of its backup center in the future.

That being said, not everyone is going to be adopting Windows 7 immediately. It will take a good amount of time, perhaps years, before W7 beats Vista in market penetration.

Also, Windows Home Server requires the purchase of an entirely new computer which is beyond the scope of these articles.

i understand there is recession but this is rather lame.
nothing about command line options which allow to handle backup sets for example

Well I am sorry that we did not cover that feature in this program, or any other program, in this round up. The average user is not going to want to work with, or deal with the inconveniences of, command line interfaces.

However, suffice it to say that at least some of these programs do have a command line interface.

I do not see how a recession is relevant to this discussion, perhaps in your future comments you can remain on topic.

Fixed in 7.

Ah, I do see this option indeed. Interesting; I shall have to check this out. It might be worth writing a short review of Windows 7's capabilities after the roundup is complete.

[Starcub]

It seems both the article and the comments have been erased.