Copying backup files in DOS

What I want to do is to boot up in DOS and copy every file on my hard drive to another partition or burn it to a DVD, so that later I can format the system partition and copy all those files back. Can this be done from the command prompt?

Welcome to the CH forums.

Yes, what you want to do is possible but please tell us what you are trying to achieve.  When you copy the files back to the system partition a bootable disk will not be created, if you want to create a bootable disk you should look at cloning.

But first tell us why you want to format your system partition.

I like to format the hard drive and do a fresh install of Windows every so often, to get rid of the junk. What I would like to do is to do a fresh install, activate Windows, and then immediately make a backup so in the future I won't have to do the activation thing again. I don't always have access to the internet for doing the activation.

THis is just the job for Norton Ghost (pre version 10) or else a free alternative such as dd (for Windows).

OK, I'll try that, thanks.