5 Points to Make Data Backups Easier

When it comes to data backup, it can be complex if you aren't used to doing it regularly. Many people may not want to run a backup because it can seem like a chore that takes a long time to complete.

If you feel backing up your data is a bothersome chore, then maybe following these points will help to make your life easier.

1. Put your data in one large folder. It is easier to backup your data, as well as determine what needs to be backed up, if you put all your data in one folder. You can then organize your data into subfolders to make finding your files much easier. The My Documents folder in Windows is a perfect location for storing your files.
2. Backup on a regular basis. If you backup your data on a regular basis, then it won't take as long to perform the backup. Software that does perform backups will usually only backup changed/new files anyway. Doing so regularly means that you won't have a many files to back up each time.
3. Schedule your backups. There are many tools that you can use to schedule applications to run, and even the operating systems sold today include free tools. If you can't remember to manually run your backup, then schedule your backup to run. You can schedule it to run at night when you aren't using your computer, and then have it automatically shutdown your system once the backup is complete.
4. Use an online backup solution. By using an online backup solution you can easily accomplish the previous two points without doing much work. An online backup provider will provide an executable that will run in the background and automatically find and backup files that have changed. Some provider may even let you schedule the backups with their tools.
5. Only backup what is necessary. You don't need to backup your entire system, such as applications and operating system files, unless you want to. Applications can be installed again, and downloads can be re-downloaded. Concentrate on data that you can't replace, like digital photos or work/school reports. If it can be replaced easily, then you may not need to back it up.

The above points should help you to easily backup your files. Keep in mind however, that it is better to backup too much then too little. Make sure you backup your data on a regular basis to ensure you will never lose any information.