question about backup utility

I used to backup my files by simply pressing ctrl + c then pasting onto my G drive, but this is time-consuming since I backup about 20Gigs of files.

The windows backup utility has built in scheduling and auto sync, but it creates 1 file *.bkf with all backup files.

I want to be able to move my G drive to another PC and use backedup files.
Is this possible, and does it have to be a winXP machine with the backup utility or can other programs open the bkf files.

also, is it also possible to secure the files password?

and is this reliable?
It doesn't seem very safe to protect 20Gigs worth of files in 1 file.

thnx,

 

Gasolene--No experience, but have a look at item #2 here
http://filext.com/detaillist.php?extdetail=bkf&Submit3=Go!
Note the comment that the file type of the .bkf file can be changed.
Why not try it with a small size back up and see if the other machine can read .bkf. (The implication of the above reference is that it has to have WinXP.) You could run the same backup but this time change it to some other file type, like a .doc file, and see what happens.