Backing up data on an infected Windows computer
You should make regular backups of your data as part of your standard procedures. However, if you have not got full backups, and a virus has infected your computer, you can still back this data up. Take great care when recovering this data from your backups.
These instructions use a CD as an example. However you could also use a DVD, Zip drive, USB drive or card, or even a tape backup.
What to do
Windows XP includes CD writing software. For other operating systems you must follow the CD writer manufacturer's instructions on burning a CD.
Note: If you have a VMWare 'My Virtual Machines' folder within the My Documents/Documents folder, exclude this from your backup. It is likely to be huge.
Windows NT/2000/XP/2003
Folders to copy:
- C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\My Documents\
- Other folders that you know contain useful data.
You might also want to backup:
- User Profiles (see Windows Help for details).
Windows Vista
Folders to copy:
- C:\Users\<username>\Documents\
- Other folders that you know contain useful data.
You might also want to backup:
- User Profiles (see Windows Help for details).
Windows 95/98/Me
- C:\My Documents
- Other folders that you know contain useful data.
Recovering data from your backups
Before recovering data from the CD, scan the whole CD with an extensive scan, including archive files.
Right-click scan folders or files before copying them over. If a folder contains infected files, right-click scan the files before transferring them individually.
If you need more information or guidance, then please contact technical support.
- Article ID: 13286
- Created: 30 Jun 2005
- Last updated: 5 Dec 2006
