Windows 7 - Backup User and System Files - Create Shortcut

**Brink**

How to Create a Windows 7 "Backup User and System Files" Shortcut

Information

This will show you how to create or download a Backup User and System Files shortcut that you can use to create a backup of your user and system files instead of having to go through the Control Panel to do so.

This shortcut is the same as if you clicked on either the Set up backup or Change settings button in Backup and Restore.

Backup User and System Files - Create Shortcut-set_up_backup.jpg

Backup User and System Files - Create Shortcut-change_settings.jpg

Warning

To be able to use this shortcut, you must be logged in as an administrator.

EXAMPLE: "Set up backup" or "Change settings"

OPTION ONE

Download and Setup "Backup User and System Files" Shortcut

1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Backup_User_and_System_Files_Shortcut.zip

2. Click on Save and save the .zip file to your desktop.

3. Open the downloaded .zip file, and extract (drag and drop) all of it's contents to your desktop.

4. Right click on the extracted Backup User and System Files.vbs file, click on Properties, General tab, and click on the Unblock button if available.
NOTE: If you do not have a Unblock button under the General tab, then the file is already unblocked and you can continue on.

5. Right click on the now unblocked Backup User and System Files.vbs file, and click on Cut.

6. Navigate to C:\Windows in Windows Explorer, then right click on a empty area of the window and click on Paste to move the .vbs file here.

7. If prompted by UAC, then click on Continue and Yes.

8. Right click on the extracted Backup User and System Files shortcut, click on Properties, General tab, and click on the Unblock button if available.
NOTE: If you do not have a Unblock button under the General tab, then the file is already unblocked and you can continue on.

9. You can now assign a keyboard shortcut, place in Quick Launch, or move this Backup User and System Files shortcut to where you like for easy use.

OPTION TWO

To Remove the "Backup User and System Files" Shortcut

1. Delete the Backup User and System Files shortcut.

2. In Windows Explorer, navigate to the .vbs file below, right click on it, and click on Delete.
C:\Windows\Backup User and System Files.vbs

3. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

**Cima** · 12-16-2009

The bug regarding nothing happening when you click on Back up now, Manage space, Turn on/off schedule, or Change settings is unfortunately not avoided by creating this shortcut, at least not on my PC. As this is a known bug that makes the Backup and Restore facility of very limited use, I hope MS will come up with a speedy patch to fix. I can't even change the drive to backup elsewhere once I do the Backup setup to recognise my current external drive. The only way is to reset to default configuration in the Registry and start all over again (your tutorial on the linked thread is great for this - thank you). Overall, MS have made a right mess of this facility judging by the many problems discussed on the forums.

**Brink** · 12-16-2009

Hello Cima, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I'm happy the reset backup configuration tutorial helps you on this for now. I'm not sure yet as to what triggers this bug either. Hopefully it will be fixed soon.

**Cima** · 12-17-2009

Thanks Brink. If you hear anything about the cause or an upcoming fix I'd be very grateful if you could post here.

**Brink** · 12-17-2009

Will do.

**wsmaal** · 02-24-2010

After looking for a solution of the backup bug in Windows 7, finally I found this thread ;-)

**Cima** · 02-25-2010

I think I have discovered a partial workaround for this bug. Assuming you have managed the first backup before the majority of the backup screen buttons cease to work, plug in the same device that you used for the first backup (in my case, a usb external hard drive) and wait for the autoplay box to appear showing the options you can choose for this device. One of them should be "backup files to this drive" or something similar. Select this and immediately backup will begin without you having to do anything more. If you want to view progress, go to Control Panel and select Backup and Restore. You will see the progress bar gradually filling in. Do nothing more until the process has been completed. You will now have an incremental up-to-date backup to augment your original backup as intended by Windows 7. Hopefully Microsoft will sort out the rest of the non-functioning buttons in SP1

**thelumberjack** · 03-23-2010

Hey Brink, it's great to read your threads. I know this thread is older but it's the only one I have found thus far describing the backup options bug. I was excited when I found this because I thought I was the only person suffering this rather strange and random bug. my first thought was that some system files were just corrupted, but i ran the sfc / scannow which turned up nothing. I have also performed a few clean installs before to no avail. But alas, as of the end of March, 2010, microsoft has not addressed the issue. Its good to know that i'm not alone though.
Just wondering if anyone had any other suggestions.
thanks

**wRonG1** · 12-14-2010

Brink :
OMG I'm glad I found this post ! Had reinstalled system using True Image .tib + was preparing to Backup new , cleaned image after uninstalling numerous items (including T.I. in order to reinstall later) when discovered Backup + restore no longer functional ! Several attempts to rectify (Repair , Restore , merge backed up Registry , Google search , etc.) unsuccessful until I arrived here . Was disgustedly preparing to start all over again !
Hopefully this is a "Sticky" because apparently this is not an uncommon problem .
Thanks again .

**Brink** · 12-14-2010

You're most welcome Ron, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Windows 7 - Backup User and System Files - Create Shortcut

Backup User and System Files - Create Shortcut

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