Microsoft hasn't done it because:
1) most people don't really care about backing up. What I mean is that people do care about their data, but they are too lazy to back up. Even if Microsoft made it available (besides the pathetic backup program today) most ppl still wouldn't bother. Heck, it's not that difficult to burn files to CD's, and most ppl I know don't want to to take the time to do it.
It's like keeping your checkbook in balance. A lot of people just don't do it.
2) Microsoft doesn't make money by spending R&D dollars on this new feature, and there's a lot of good solutions out there already. Bill Gates would make a lot more sales by incorportaing functions like voice computing, hand writing software, stuff that makes computing easier, so that's where he's focusing his R&D dollars on.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by robb:
OK, let me ask you a new question.
If it's so important (Important enough for me to go out and buy extra hardware that I don't otherwise need, and important enough that I should physically take time every week to do this), then why hasn't Microsoft built it into the O/S where it all happens automatically for me.
For all the badmouthing that MS gets, they generally are pretty good about throwing their weight behind whatever it is that everybody out there wants. I still think that the automatic updates to the O/S are a fantastic addition to the product.
So, why hasn't MIcrosoft added it into the O/S automatically and for free to obliterate the competition charging money for their software.</font>