How to back up in Windows 7?

[moggie 939]

I keep getting a message toremind me to back up my laptop. I went into backup in control panel and it said I would need a 16gb memory stick which I have.

I followed instructions and the back up was completed onto the stick, but it still showed 12.7gb free of the 16gb total!

Opened it in 'my computer', but would not open and a message came up something like 'This file does not have program associated with it - to perform action instal program or create an association' Help..........

Thanks everyone

[VHG]

It sounds like you have already succesfully backed up Windows to the pen drive. It may have need 16Gb for temporary files while it was making the final image, which will be smaller.

But you cant "open" the file on the pen drive as it is probably in some sort of packed format.

If you wanted to use this file on the pen drive you would need to restore from it (see the Windows help for backup and restore).

DONT restore from it unles you need to as it will overwrite all the files on your computer.

[moggie 939]

Thanks VHG - underestand now!

Will keep it and in the event I HAVE to use it I see that there is a restore part under the backup pane.

Will not use it unless I have to! Now I underestand about the 'free' 12gb on the stick. Thought it had to be full.

Thanks again