Quick way that I used when I installed a 2nd OS and couldn't get into my first one. Go to start->run->ntbackup. From there, click the advanced mode button. Click the backup tab and select which folders and files you want to backup. On the bottom left there's a box to input where you want the file and what name to give it. Don't get rid of the bkf extension. Click start backup. Now, go to restore, click the backup file you just created by clicking on the pluses beside the name. Put a check on the file/s that you want and click "Alternate Location" in the Restore files to: box. Click start restore. You'll get a Confirm Restore dialog box, on here, click advanced. Uncheck everything and click OK. Click OK again. There, you now have access to all the files. Make sure though, that you need to be in either Admin, or an acct. that allows backing up.