"Golden" (Complete) Backup and Restore (78153)


The information in this article applies to:
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 2.11
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.1
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.2
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.21
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.3
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.3a
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 4.0
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 4.01
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0
This article was previously published under Q78153

SUMMARY

The "golden" or complete BACKUP command backs up all files, beginning with the designated directory. The complete RESTORE restores all files from the backup disks, overwriting existing files and creating subdirectories as needed.

MORE INFORMATION

To run a complete BACKUP, enter the following at the command prompt:

backup [source drive]:\[dir]\*.* [dest. drive]: /s

(Where [source drive] is the drive specification, [dir] is the optional directory name containing the files to be backed up, and [dest. drive] is the target location of the backup files.)

Example

backup c:\mydir\*.* a: /s

The above command will back up all files and all levels of subdirectories contained within the MYDIR directory.

To run a complete RESTORE, enter the following at the command prompt:

restore [source drive]: [dest. drive]\*.* /s

(Where [source drive] is the location of the backup data and [dest. drive] is the target location of the backup data.)

Example

restore a: c:\*.* /s

The above command will restore all files and subdirectories contained within the backed up data.

NOTE: Using the RESTORE command as in the example above will overwrite all files existing on the backup, without regard for updated or modified files.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft MS-DOS User's Guide and Reference," version 5.0, pages 370-374, 555-557
Modification Type: Major Last Reviewed: 11/25/2003
Keywords: KB78153
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.