Backing up files

Regularly backing up your files protects you from losing data and lets you keep fewer files on your hard drive. Back up old files to a large capacity disk drive or tape drive and delete the files from your hard drive. You can use the software that came with your tape backup drive or your large capacity disk drive to back up the files.

You can also back up files by running the Backup utility that came with your operating system. In Windows 98, Backup copies files to diskettes or a tape drive. In Windows NT, Backup copies files to a tape drive.

To run Backup in Windows 98:

1Click Start, then select Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then Backup.

2Follow the instructions on the screen.

To run Backup in Windows NT:

1Click Start, then Programs, Administrative Tools, then Backup.

2Follow the instructions on the screen.

Deleting unneeded files

By deleting unneeded files from the hard drive, you free up space on the hard drive and help improve hard-drive performance. The following sections give you some simple ways to delete unneeded files.

Deleting Windows temporary files

During normal operation, Windows constantly creates new temporary (temp) files. You can safely delete all but the most recent temp files.

To delete temp files:

1Open Explorer, select Tools, Find, then Files and Folders.

2At Named, type *.tmp

3In the Look in drop-down list, select your drive letter.

4Click Find Now. The list of temp files is generated.

5Click Modified above the list. To see the Modified button, you may need to maximize the Find window. The list is sorted by date.

60Managing Your System