MS Backup is the standard backup utility in Windows

The Windows 95, 98, Me, XP, 2000, 2003 installation CDs all comes with an integral backup program, which many users are ignorant about as it isn’t included in the “typical” Windows installation. All versions of Windows have one. However MS Backup is not installed with the Windows XP Home Edition. Other small variation do exists between these versions, but basically they fulfill the same function and are accessed in a consistent ways.

To install this Backup utility in Wndows 95, 98, Me just begin by inserting the Windows CD ROM. Then click on the icon labeled 'Browse this CD'. Double click on the 'Add On' folder and next on the folder for the program. Double click on msbexp.exe and the program will start to installed. As an alternative, Click Start>Setting>Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs>Windows Setup>System Tools>Details>OK>OK.

The program is in fact based on a version of Seagate's Backup Exec.
This supports SCSI and IDE backup devices such as hard disks and CDs, and shared network directories on other computer.

Step-by-step Backup and Restore using Microsoft Backup!
The backup program is equipped with the basic functions needed to run backup of selected files and folders. But the program is lacking important features that are common in other Backup applications.

The Backup software is includes built-in compression support. It also includes password backup protection but CD and DVD burning capabilities are missing.
It is possible to backup up your outlook e-mails and Internet Favorites with the backup program, but it can be difficulty to locate those files.

Here we will show to use the Microsoft Backup in the Windows 9x / Me version.
1. To start, click on Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Backup. The program is equipped with a wizard-style interface, which prompts you as you work through to program.

2. The program presents a tree like structure for the files and folders on the disk. One can back up individual files and folders or backup entire disks by selecting them in the tree style interface.

3. The Backup utility from Microsoft also supports incremental backups but you have to tell it to backup the changed and new files. Differential backup is not supported

4. Then select the destination where you want the data to be backed up. Files can be stored and backed on floppy disks, tape drives or on another computer over a network.
Note- it does not identify your CD or DVD burner as a valid backup destination when you first install it. You can overcome this limitation by using Roxio’s DirectCD utility.

5. Give your backup job a descriptive name so that you’ll be able to remember it and run it repeatedly by selecting it from the list of Backup Jobs.

6. During a backup restore operation, avoid the wizard as it doesn’t supports CD-RW-based backups and do the job manually:

Use the Restore tab. There click on the Restore From section folder icon and then select the backup destination that was originally used (Note: backups are stored with a .QIC extension in ‘backup sets’), then click on the Refresh button and view the backed up files and folders. Then in the treelike list select and mark the files to retrieve or select from a complete backup. Restore it either to its original place or on to an alternative folder.

One of the biggest drawbacks of MS Backup is that it lacking capability of scheduling backup jobs at preset time intervals. One can use Windows Task Manager to overcome this limitation. In order to run it automatically at set intervals follow these steps:

1. Activate the Task Scheduler.
2. Double-click on Add Scheduled Task.
3. Then simply follow to step of the instructions in the wizards of the Add Scheduled Task.