Backing Up Data

To ensure that a safe copy of your important data is always available, you can back up specific files or folders. You can back up your data to hard drive, to disc, or to a removable medium (such as a USB drive). If you need to save your backup file across several discs, you can even split the backup file into volumes of a specific size to fit your backup media.

To back up your data, do this:

1. Click or use the View > Backup command to open the backup procedure. The Select Source option opens by default.
2. Locate and check the files and folders that you want to back up in the two file directory panes. (These panes resemble Windows Explorer in functionality.)
   • An empty box indicates that the folder has not been selected for backing up.
   • A green check mark indicates that all of the folder's contents are selected for backing up.
   • A yellow check mark indicates that only some of the folder's contents are selected for backing up.
3. Click Select Destination, then set your backup destination.
   • Backup destination: Select your backup destination from the drop-down box. Backup destinations may include hard disk or a disc burner (depending on your available hardware).
   • Backup filename: Give each backup file a unique name. To save the backup file to a different directory, click Browse, then locate and select the folder you want to use.
   • Split into volumes: Divide your backup files into volumes (portions) of the size you specify. The Auto option automatically detects the size of the destination hard drive's file system. (To verify the file system on your computer, open My Computer, right-click on your hard drive, then select Properties.) The DVD option divides your backup files into volumes that fit the capacity of a DVD. The CD option divides your backup files into volumes that fit the capacity of a CD. To set a custom volume size, select Custom size..., then enter a size in megabytes.
4. Click Select Method, then choose the backup method (and advanced options, if desired) that you want to use.
   • Backup methods include Full, Differential, and Incremental. For complete information on these backup methods, see Backup Methods.
   • For more options, click Options.... For more information, see Backup Options.
5. Click Back Up Files. Verify that the settings are correct, then click one of the buttons to begin your backup.
   • Click Backup Now to begin backing up immediately. To make the same backup configuration available later (as a "job"), click Yes when you are prompted to save changes to your backup file. After you save the file, the backup begins immediately. (To begin the backup immediately without saving the backup file, click No.)
   • Click Add to Scheduler to schedule the backup for a later time.

After the backup is completed, you can view the backup report by clicking Report....

Note: For more information on reports, see Viewing Reports.