Question Backing up data to a portable HD - General or Advanced ?

[minxabroad]

Hello, My pc needs to have a re-install so I need to back up data to a portable hard drive. I have an older one that has not been used but as I have not done anything like this before I am a little unsure about the options and which is best to use. There are two options, the general and the advanced. I did the general backup option initially. It was pretty quick. I noted that one of the options was to back up microsoft office docs such as Word and Excel. I use a free version, Libre, and was unsure if, as the backup options specified "Microsoft", if it would actually backup the free version so I have attempted to back up with the "Advanced" option.

I have chosen everything I think needs to be backed up, such as photos, videos, documents including all Libre docs such as Calc, the alternate Excel. Just to be safe I chose some other things too. It has been "backing up" since last night, all through the night and this morning and I am at 32%. Is this normal? Do I need to the "Advanced" option? If I were to leave it set up to do an auto backup, would it take this long each time?

The drive is a Maxtor M3 1tb. Any help appreciated.

 

[Math Geek]

All you need to back up is your data. Programs can be reinstalled once Windows is running again. I suggest a simple copy and paste to the drive for all your pics, videos, documents, etc etc.

Once windows is back running and all your data is back in place, use that drive for regular backups. Don't wait until you have an issue like now. Don't let one hdd failure destroy all your irreplaceable data. Once it's gone, it's gone!

 

[Lafong]

Not enough detail.

Are you trying to use the backup software that came with that Maxtor drive?

What do you hope to back up? Your Windows installation? Your personal data? Both?

That M3 drive is probably quite slow. It might take a long time.

As a general rule, I would NOT use the software that came with the drive. There are many other choices.

It is up to you to know where your personal files are, rather than rely on software to find them.

 

[DSzymborski]

In addition to what others said, your important data should be backed up *all the time*, not just when you reinstall Windows. Your strategy here means that it's likely that sooner or later, you *will* lose your data forever.

 

[minxabroad]

Thank you for your replies. I have One Drive back up turned on so I think things like pics, videos and docs are safe but I wanted an additional safety net option. Also, I was not sure about other things such as emails for example. I have some folders in my email to make it easier to keep them organised and still have easy access to them. Im clearly no expert but I think the "Local Folders" in my email seem to be on my system only, not on a server elsewhere and I don't want to lose them.

@Lafong I did use the software built into the Maxtor drive. It is still working on it- 82% currently. I suppose I want to back up my videos, pics, documents and emails. That is all I would need if Windows is being reinstalled, correct? Is there any benefit to saving anything else (such as saving time or effort?) I don't know about other ways to save the data. when I connected the drive up came the software and I assumed I had to use it. I admit I thought it would just be a case of copyng and pasting or dragging and dropping- so was disappointed to see the software start up. As I am so far towards the end now I am guessing I will just let it finish.

I believe I have it set up to auto back up now but wondering if I really need it to do that as I have the One Drive option saving it too. What say you? Also, back to my original questions, do any of you know the difference between the general and the advanced options? Is the advanced just for saving the entire Windows system in addition to data and do you know about the question regarding the Microsoft docs vs the free docs I asked about?

 

[Lafong]

Im clearly no expert but I think the "Local Folders" in my email seem to be on my system only, not on a server elsewhere and I don't want to lose them.

@Lafong I suppose I want to back up my videos, pics, documents and emails. That is all I would need if Windows is being reinstalled, correct?

Where your emails are depends on what email program you use.

It's up to you to know what you want to back up and where it lives.

How about browser bookmarks/favorites? Where they live depends on what browser you use. Maybe you don't use them at all?

I don't know about other ways to save the data.

A simple folder drag and drop copy to another drive will typically work..........for stuff other than Windows and installed programs.

You CAN and SHOULD back up Windows and installed programs, but that Maxtor software is not likely the proper tool.

when I connected the drive up came the software and I assumed I had to use it. I admit I thought it would just be a case of copyng and pasting or dragging and dropping- so was disappointed to see the software start up. As I am so far towards the end now I am guessing I will just let it finish.

OK, it may do something worthwhile. I'd let it finish and then evaluate what it did.

I believe I have it set up to auto back up now but wondering if I really need it to do that as I have the One Drive option saving it too. What say you?

I say use another tool. "Auto" is trouble UNLESS you know exactly what that includes or omits. Auto can lull you into complacency.

Ideally, you want at least 2 copies (originals plus 2) of your most important stuff. One Drive would be acceptable as one of the two IF it is in fact backing up that stuff.

I say confirm for a FACT what One Drive is or isn't doing, rather than assume. Can you in fact retrieve highly important files from One Drive right now? Can you tell if One Drive did NOT back up anything you care about?

Also, back to my original questions, do any of you know the difference between the general and the advanced options? Is the advanced just for saving the entire Windows system in addition to data and do you know about the question regarding the Microsoft docs vs the free docs I asked about?

I have NO idea what the Maxtor software does and I personally would not spend 5 minutes trying to find out.

My guess would be it does not back up Windows in any useful way. It may I say may back up your personal files adequately, but that is on you to confirm by trial and error.

Any competent "personal data" backup software would not distinguish between "Micrsoft docs" versus "free docs". Competent software would allow you to include or exclude by folder or even by file name if necessary.

It's on you to know what folders contain your personal files. The default location would be somewhere within C:\Users\yourusername, but you may not use the default location. I don't use it myself.

 

[minxabroad]

Where your emails are depends on what email program you use.

It's up to you to know what you want to back up and where it lives.

How about browser bookmarks/favorites? Where they live depends on what browser you use. Maybe you don't use them at all?


A simple folder drag and drop copy to another drive will typically work..........for stuff other than Windows and installed programs.

You CAN and SHOULD back up Windows and installed programs, but that Maxtor software is not likely the proper tool.



OK, it may do something worthwhile. I'd let it finish and then evaluate what it did.


I say use another tool. "Auto" is trouble UNLESS you know exactly what that includes or omits. Auto can lull you into complacency.

Ideally, you want at least 2 copies (originals plus 2) of your most important stuff. One Drive would be acceptable as one of the two IF it is in fact backing up that stuff.

I say confirm for a FACT what One Drive is or isn't doing, rather than assume. Can you in fact retrieve highly important files from One Drive right now? Can you tell if One Drive did NOT back up anything you care about?


I have NO idea what the Maxtor software does and I personally would not spend 5 minutes trying to find out.

My guess would be it does not back up Windows in any useful way. It may I say may back up your personal files adequately, but that is on you to confirm by trial and error.

Any competent "personal data" backup software would not distinguish between "Micrsoft docs" versus "free docs". Competent software would allow you to include or exclude by folder or even by file name if necessary.

It's on you to know what folders contain your personal files. The default location would be somewhere within C:\Users\yourusername, but you may not use the default location. I don't use it myself.

Many thanks for your help.