Articles tagged: automatic backup

A modern workspace with a desktop computer, laptop, and external hard drives. The computer screen shows cloud service icons like OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox, along with a backup software interface. There is a subtle overlay of cloud graphics illustrating cloud syncing. The workspace is clean, well-lit, and organized.

If I Use a Cloud Sync Program to Back Up, Won’t Accidental Deletions Delete the Backup?

Backing up to auto-syncing cloud services is very convenient. But what happens when it syncs your mistake?

A serene individual meditating in a tranquil setting. The person appears calm and centered, seated in a traditional meditation pose in front of a desktop PC, illustrating a blend of mindfulness and technology. Surrounding them are floating digital icons, including a cloud, folders, and error symbols, symbolizing technological stress. These icons are depicted as being calmly ignored by the meditating person.

Dealing With Inexplicable Change?

Yes, I deal with frustrating changes too. It's not that I never get frustrated; it's what I choose next that makes for a much happier experience.

An animated style image featuring a traditional desktop computer connected to an external hard disk via a cable. The external hard disk is whimsically on fire, with animated, bright flames and smoke, symbolizing a failure or disaster. The desktop computer is depicted in a classic style, complete with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and is functioning normally, contrasting with the burning external hard disk. This comical and exaggerated portrayal highlights the importance of data backup and the risks associated with relying on a single storage device.

If External Hard Drives Can Fail, Should I Bother with One?

Any hard drive can fail. Failure is a fact of life, but data loss does not need to be.

There's more to ransomware than just encryption.

Should I Disconnect My Backup Drive When I’m Not Backing Up?

Some people disconnect their backup drive when not backing up because they fear ransomware. I explain why that's a Really Bad Idea.

An External Disk Drive

Backups ARE Security

Don't overlook backing up as part of your security. When the worst happens, it's your backup that will save you.

Backup 74% Complete

Can’t I Just Copy Everything to Back Up?

It's tempting to just use file-copy tools to back up what you think you need. But you can easily miss something very important.

Connected External Hard Drive

Tip of the Day: Leave Your Backup Drive Connected

The Weakest Link

Tip of the Day: Automate Your Backups

Schedule Automatic Backups

How Do I Schedule Automatic Backups?

Next to simply making an image backup, scheduling those backups to happen automatically is one of the topics most people find confusing. Depending on the backup software that you're using, it's typically not hard at all. I'll show you by walking through the steps of scheduling a monthly full backup, using the free version of the backup ... Read more

Data Loss Ahead

Let’s Get More People to Back Up

Nothing can prevent or side-step issues like properly configured backups. In this overview I want to encourage more people to back up. You can help.

SD and MicroSD cards

Should I backup to an SD Card?

I see the appeal of slipping a little SD card into the slot of your computer for backups, but the safety of your precious data on that card has me worried!

Dropbox

How Can I Back Up My Data More or Less Continuously?

With hardware failures, accidental deletions, and more, it's easy to lose files as you are working on them. What's the easiest way to back up your computer as you go?

External Backup Drive

Will backups run if my PC asks for a password?

Scheduling regular backups is an important step in your overall backup strategy. But they do have to run when your computer is on and accessible.

Will locking my computer prevent scheduled and autorun programs from running?

Macrium will run just fine as long as your computer is still turned on. Other automatic programs may have trouble, depending on their configuration.