What should you backup

Your administrator may configure the Code42 app to begin backing up immediately after you sign in to a device for the first time. However, if your backup isn't already configured, then the Code42 app prompts you to create your first backup set. If prompted,. Always add your User folder. This a great folder to start with because your business files and settings are typically saved here. This includes files you create or add, like documents and photos, as well as your customized settings for various applications.

For example, the Marvin folder includes this user's Desktop , Documents , Downloads , Movies , Music , and Pictures folders, as shown below. Additionally, although typically "hidden", this folder contains the user's Library , which houses user information like application preferences, bookmarks, and fonts 1. This is similar to the AppData folder in the User folder on devices running Windows. Even though the Library and AppData folders are usually "hidden" in your file browser, the Code42 app knows to back them up when the User or Home folder is selected.

If you have questions about backing up a particular type of file, our Backup guide is a great place to start.

A few common considerations are listed below. If you have an external drive that you want to back up, you can update your file selection to include this drive. If you want to back up the external drive on a different schedule than your local files, you can create backup sets to manage the file selections separately.

This default backup set often covers the majority of what should be included in your back up set. If you are concerned about the size of your backup set, you may choose to selectively delete folders or individual files from your backup selection.

You can also choose to delete specified file types from this set, regardless of where they are stored. The tools you need to back up your computer. Our pick. Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2 TB The best portable hard drive If you travel a lot, a portable hard drive should offer plenty of space to back up most laptops while still being small enough to toss into your bag.

Backblaze The best cloud backup service A good cloud backup service is simple to use and runs in the background after you set it up once. Back up your computer to the cloud with Backblaze. Create an account at Backblaze. Double-click the file and run the installer. Follow any on-screen instructions to grant Backblaze access to your storage drive. Backblaze will automatically start backing up files.

Create local Windows backups with File History. How to enable File History in Windows Connect your external drive to your computer. This guide from How-To Geek walks you through the process.

Use the NTFS format. Click Add a drive and select your external hard drive from the list. Click More options to add folders, exclude folders, or change other settings. By default Windows 10 backs up all the folders within the User folder, which is all most people need. Select your external hard drive and click Turn On. Click Exclude folders to remove folders or Advanced settings to change other settings.

Create local Mac backups with Time Machine. Connect the external drive to your Mac. Check the Encrypt Backup Disk box. We recommend encrypting your backup for security. Click Use as Backup Disk. PC games in particular have files all over the place. The PCGamingWiki website has a good database of games with information about whether they synchronize their save games or not and exactly where their save files are located on your PC.

Leave these folders alone. The Program Files folder contains files for your installed applications. A handful of programs can be simply moved between PCs. For example, you can back up your Steam or Battle. Back up your files daily, if possible. This will be a fast process if you back up regularly, as your backup tool will just back up the few personal files that have changed. Automating your backups helps ensure those backups get performed regularly. Browse All iPhone Articles Browse All Mac Articles Do I need one?

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Browse All Privacy and Security Articles Browse All Linux Articles Browse All Buying Guides. Best Portable Monitors. Best Gaming Keyboards. Best Drones. Best 4K TVs. Additional backups should be scheduled on a regular basis, but these will usually take less time because the drive will only need to copy your most recent files. Even if you back up your files regularly on an external hard drive, it's still possible to lose your data. For added security, you can also back up your files in the cloud.

When you store something in the cloud, it's saved online to servers instead of a hard drive. The main advantage of cloud-based storage is that your files are much less vulnerable to risks like theft or accidental damage.

Visit Understanding the Cloud in our Computer Basics tutorial to learn more about cloud storage. If you want to back up a few files or folders online, you'll need to sign up for an account with a cloud-based storage service. Most services will give you a small amount of free storage , which should be enough to store your most important files.

You can also buy additional storage for a monthly fee.