How to Create a System Backup in Windows Vista

1. Start the 'Backup and Restore Center.' Choose 'Start,' then enter 'Backup' into the search field. Select 'Backup and Restore Center' from items listed in the search results.
2. Identify a suitable backup location. Make sure that it has sufficient storage space to hold a copy of your entire system. To find out how much space your system currently uses, select 'Start,' then 'Computer,' and then separately add up the used space listed for each of the drives that are a part of your system.
3. Begin the backup process. Click 'Back Up Computer.' Accept any 'User Account Control' notices that appear. Vista will look for appropriate backup devices and provide a list of options. These will include local media such as locally connected hard drives and CD and DVD drives. You will also see warnings if a given device has insufficient space for the operation. Select a location and select 'Next.'
4. Select the drives to back up. By default, Vista selects all internal drives for backup. Any connected external drives remain an option as well. Select the drives that you wish to back up. Click 'Next.' Note that a drive to which the backup is to be performed cannot be selected as part of the backup set.
5. Confirm the backup settings. Vista will provide a summary of the backup settings to review before starting the backup. Review them, and when satisfied select 'Start Backup.' When the backup completes successfully, click 'Close.'