How to Backup Your Computer the Simple Way

Losing the files on your computer can be a very stressful experience. Most programs can be restored using the original software CD or from an online download. The files that cannot be restored include personal documents that you created and the information in your Outlook program. It is not a question of your computer crashing but when it will crash. Can you imagine trying to rebuild your list of contacts with phone numbers and email addresses? Losing this information is just one reason to backup data to an external source on a regular basis.

Back-up to USB Flash Drive (Memory Stick)

Preparing Your Files

Backing up your files will be easier if you have all of your documents saved in the My Documents folder. You may also move your Outlook file to My Documents to ensure that your emails are also backed up regularly. Keep in mind that Outlook files may be large and your memory stick must have sufficient capacity.

Back-up Process

To back-up your files, you will simply save a copy to your USB flash drive.

1. Insert the flash drive in to the USB port of your computer.
2. A window should automatically pop up for “removable disk”. Leave this window on your desktop.
3. Open up the folder (i.e. My Documents) that contains the files that you wish to back-up.
4. View your documents folder and the removable disk folder side-by-side.
5. Drag (left click on an item and hold down that left click, then move your mouse to drag) and drop (release the left click in the drop location) folders/files from your Documents folder to your removable disk. This will create a copy on your removable disk.

Initial Back-Up Setup

1. Purchase an external hard drive.

Preferred Features:

- Includes software that can automate the backup process for you.

- Allows you to automate “copying” of specific folders on your computer.

- Allows you to schedule automatic backups daily or weekly.

- Connects via USB.

2. Connect the hard drive to your computer using the USB cable provided. The hard drive will appear in your My Computer list.

3. Determine which files you want to copy over manually to your hard drive (files that never change such as program files) and which files that you need to keep updated copies of (documents, emails, etc.).

4. For the files that you want to manually copy over just one time, go to your My Documents and open the hard drive by double clicking on it. Copy files from your computer and paste them into this folder to save it to your hard drive.

5. Download the software that came with your hard drive.

6. Follow the setup process to designate creating a “copy” of files on your computer.

7. Designate the particular folders to backup. Be sure to backup….

  a. My Documents

  b. Other Folders Containing Your Saved Files (i.e. Folders on Your Desktop)

  c. Your Outlook File (Normally found at C:\Documents and

      Settings\YourUsername\LocalSettings\ApplicationData\Microsoft\Outlook folder)

  d. Your Internet “Favorites” File

     (C:\Documents and Settings\Your Username\Favorites)