Copying All of Windows

[kylespitz]

I am trying to transfer ALL files on my computer to a separate hard drive so I can access them individually later.

Does anyone know of a way to copy all files to another drive before startup?

I don't want to "backup" my computer with the windows wizard.

Windows refuses to let me copy files from the windows folder (because they are being used).

Thus I need to copy it before these files are accessed.

Any ideas?

[Zxian]

Hi there,

You might try finding a copy of Knoppix, a purely CD-loaded version of Linux. There's no installation needed, just burn the CD, pop it in your drive and reboot. You'd want to make sure that the version of Knoppix you find has NTFS support and some type of CD burning software.

Hope this helps.

[pip22]

Get yourselff copy of 'Acronis True Image'. Install it. Create an image of any partition you want to back up - you'll need a spare partition or several CDs to do this, but you can even make a complete back up of Windows partition from within Windows itself.
You can still access individual files in the image if you need to, by using Acronis True Image. I've used it to make an image of my last fresh install of Windows. When I want to fresh install next time, I just restore from the image. Dead easy and quicker than installing from the XP CD and then having to install device drivers.

[patrickjb]

You could use a program like "Ghost". It will make an image of your hard drive. I've used it, works great.