When was the last time you backed up the important files on your computer? If you are the slightest similar to me I would assume the last time was when your best friend told you he or she had lost everything thanks to a crash.
The reasons to why we do not back up our most important data is because it takes time, it is a boring process and we tend to forget about it.
In this post I will show you how to set up software to automatically back up your important files to a free server anywhere in the world.
What you will need
- A Windows PC
If anyone would like to make a guest post on how to set this up on a Mac I would gladly accept the offer. - An FTP-server
If you already have a FTP-server this is great. Otherwise I will show you how to use Dropbox for free to host your files.
How to set it up
- Install software and set up your FTP-server. We will use the same software as I used when I showed you how to automatically back up Wordpress. Download and install the latest version of SyncBack.
If you do not have a FTP-server I highly recommend you to visit the Dropbox team and download the latest version of their software. You will get 2 GB free storage out of the box and then another 250 MB when you take their tour. When this is done you can get additional 25o MB for every friend you refer, up to 3 GB which gives you a total of 5 GB free storage online. This is something you can use to a lot more than backup.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me and ask for help. When you are done installing both of these software’s you should create four different folders in your backup-folder.
- Create a backup profile. Start SyncBack and create a new profile named “Local Backup (daily)”. Set the source to where you have your important files and destination to backup folder. Like this:
- Select directories to back up. You can back up your whole hard drive if you want to, but it would take forever. Personally I back up my passwords, bookmarks from Firefox and all my documents. The rest of my files I try to back up manually on a external hard drive every other month. Select all the folders you want to back up and follow next step.
- Create a schedule. Now it is time for you to create a schedule so you will get a backup automatically every day. Press the “Expert”-button and hit “Misc”. There you will see a big button saying “Schedule”. I run my back up at 05:00 but it is up to you depending on when you use it.
Now you simply repeat the process to create a weekly, monthly and finally one every other month. This is to make sure you always have one backup even if a whole month would be messed up.
When was the last time you made a backup?
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Stefan, hi!
I know back up is equally boring topic but the technical details were really quick & smart. However, I mostly enjoyed the flow of your post:
1. Creation of need
2. Offer help
3. Details of help – Valuable details
Simply fabulous!!!
Thank you Chris, I’m glad you found it useful. Hopefully it will encourage people to back up their important files instead of having to drag their hair when they lose everything.
backUp is the one of the major tasks for every person as each n every file we miss will make us feel a lot( even make us repent at times)..
Thank you Stephan!!! You are the best. This is exactly what I have been needing for a long time!!
You’re welcome Anna. I’m glad you found it useful.
Hi Stefan,
Completely off topic, but I just want to let you know that I’ve finally found a proxy in China that lets me get onto your site after nearly 6 months.
I’m glad to hear Gordie. Looking forward to see more of you in the future then.
It always good to back-up all your Data in a Safe Place! I recently faced a grave problem because I dint back-up my Wordpress Database!
Well the problem is with the speed of the net connection and suppose if the connection is lost during the backup, what will happen?
Since Dropbox synchronise your map several times a day it will upload your files, when you get connected again, even though you lose connection for a few hours. When it comes to a simple FTP-server you do have a point since it will not try to upload it again. This is another reason to why I really like Dropbox and recommend more people to use it.
Backup your digital assets before they stolen or crashed.
I believe on above wordings.
This this the best way mentioned by you to backup the Blog.
Thanks buddy !
Mozy has an online backup, although it’s only 2GB free….but it is automatic.
You are right Susan and I should have mention this in the post. Dropbox updates your folder automatically 24/7, and saves all of your versions, but the reason to why I use use SyncBack is simply to move all my important information into one folder.
Dear Stefan,
I have been interested in knowing how to do a backup on my laptop for a while now, and I think your tutorial marks the spot. It’s simple, straight forward and easy to achieve without the need of buying additional costly software.
Thank you.
I’ll let you know how I get on.
By the way this is my first time visiting your site, after encountering all over the blogs I visit and I quite like it. You are doing a wonderful job here and I am happy that it is what you love. Keep shining.
Kind Regards
Thank you Ana, I’m glad you found this post useful and like my blog. Looking forward to hear more from you and if you get any problem whatsoever, just contact me.
Hey Stefan must say very useful article . though I still prefer more traditional way of backing up using portable Hard drive. I have a 200 GIGS hard disk and that is my lief saver. Its on my every sunday to do list to back up updated data. Though to make my work easier I use few sync tools, but I guess I should consider this trick too…
That’s great Harsh. Personally I think it is a good idea to do both of them. Regularly back up everything with a hard drive and then take small backups with the most important content automatically.
I’m totally on board with you. In my opinion backing up online is a waste of bandwidth uploading and downloading for those on limited internet plans. Also what’s the assurance that their servers won’t suffer a glitch someday and all your data goes away?
I prefer the traditional method of using a DVD or external hard drive. Backups can be made a lot more frequently without the need of internet access.
The problem with DVD and CD is that they stop working after a few years. Looking at my CD most of them stop working after about 10 years. The best is probably a combination of both online backup and external harddrives.
I wasn’t aware of the 10 year life span of CDs/DVDs. I guess an external hard drive would be a better option for me then.
Meanwhile I just tweeted this post using the tweety tool which U have and I guess you should check it, its giving some error with the tweets… try tweeting and you will realize what I’m talking about.
Hm, I don’t think I have any Twitter tools except the one showing my latest tweet in the sidebar.
stefan this is very nice and really useful post making oneof necessary job automatic really helps..