Windows Vista does not have in-built support for restoring the backup files created in Windows XP (using the NTBackup utility.) However, Microsoft has now released the Windows NT Backup – Restore Utility which runs on Windows Vista and Microsoft® Windows Server® code name “Longhorn” to restore backups (saved as files with the .BKF extension) that were created on Windows XP or Windows 2003.

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This utility requires that the Removable Storage Management feature is enabled. Follow these steps:

• Click Start and type optionalfeatures.exe and press Enter.
• In the Windows Features dialog, enable the Removable Storage Management checkbox.
• Click OK.
• After the above component is enabled, launch the Windows NT Backup - Restore Utility via the Start menu.