What should i be backing up

If you have space, feel free to back up folders in from your most-used apps. But you shouldn't need to back up the entire folder, as it's many gigabytes. Note that AppData is hidden by default, so you'll need to show hidden Windows folders first if you don't see it. ProgramData is similar to AppData. Instead of storing user-specific files, though, it holds app settings and data for all users on the system.

For example, it might include definitions for your antivirus software. A lot of what's here is cache files, which you don't need to back up. Since this folder also takes up several gigabytes, you shouldn't back it all up. Note that AppData and ProgramData settings and data may only be compatible with certain versions of the app.

Backing these files up can be good for posterity and reference, but you could run into issues if you restore these folders straight from a backup. If you use a desktop email client, you may want to back up your email data. You don't have to worry about backing up email if you use IMAP, as many modern clients do.

But if you use POP3, you should back your mail up. Unfortunately, email clients store data in different ways. Outlook stores your emails plus calendars, contacts, tasks, and notes as a single PST file, which can reside in one of a few locations:.

Because there are so many email clients available, we can't cover them all. A quick Google search for how to back up your email client's data should answer this for you. You may be tempted to back up every folder that sounds even remotely important. However, doing so will end up wasting space and make your backups take longer to create and restore. There's no point in backing up existing drivers. If you didn't know, a driver is a piece of software that allows Windows to interface properly with a hardware device, such as a keyboard.

Since hardware usually differs from one system to the next, you won't need the same drivers. If you want, you can back up driver installer files for specific devices.

Even then, though, you'll want to install the latest versions on your new system anyway. You cannot simply copy and paste them to another system and hope that they'll work, so you don't need to back up either Program Files folder. Programs rely on other data to work properly, such as Registry entries. In the future, when you want to back up, plug in your external drive, and within 10 minutes the backup will start. If that seems like too much of a daily hassle, or if you have an earlier version of Windows, consider a third-party backup program.

The free version is more configurable and thus more powerful than File History. The paid one is even better.

With cloud backup, you pick a service, which then provides the software. The biggest difference involves pricing; Mozy is cheaper for multiple PCs, but Carbonite costs less for one PC with a lot of data.

Other services are probably just as good. Backing up your data is vital, and should be done daily. Backing up Windows itself is just a good idea, and need only be done three or four times a year. Smart business people plan for all contingencies and avoid the pitfalls that lack of planning causes.

Shred Nations provides document and data management services via a network of highly specialized partners nationwide. We have over 20 years of experience in document and data management services. If you would like a custom quote for your data backup or storage needs give us a call at or fill out the form to the right. Summaries of Record-Keeping Practices The files that are important to backup include record-keeping practices and files the Internal Revenue Service recommends be kept.

Certified Public Accountant firms recommend that most files and records be kept for seven years. Business Administration Documents Backup plans also need to protect important business administration data, marketing and sales information, business and marketing plans, project reports and more.

Property and Tax Records Include escrow documents or real estate deeds, construction records, leasehold improvements, lease payment records, records of car ownership, business inventory items in your backup and disaster recovery plan. Financial Data and Documents Financial records are important to running the business on a daily basis. Computer System Files All computer software used by employees of the business also require backup.

Records Management Include records management under information systems or accounting management to organize system protocols.

Typically, you don't interact with these files directly. These folders contain the files that allow various applications—like your email, word processor, and web browser programs—to work correctly. Like system files, you don't typically interact with these files directly. If you select your entire hard drive as your backup set, including system and application files, these files could prevent your business files from backing up efficiently.

As part of its normal operation, your device creates new system and application files, which are small. Because the Code42 app prioritizes the to-do list based on size and creation date, the system files are backed up before other files in your backup selection.

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.