Home computing guide
Start with a simple question: which files would you miss if this computer stopped working? Family photographs, personal documents and files kept outside the usual folders can all matter.
Choose what needs protecting
Make a short list of important folders and devices. Check where files are actually saved, rather than assuming everything is included in an existing backup.
Choose a suitable separate copy
An external drive can provide a local copy. Cloud storage or a backup service can provide a copy away from the device. The right arrangement depends on your internet connection, file sizes and how you want to restore them. For irreplaceable files, consider more than one suitable copy.
Understand the difference between sync and recovery
A service showing files on several devices is convenient, but check what happens if a file is deleted or changed. Find out whether deleted files and earlier versions can be recovered, and for how long. Provider features and account plans vary.
Check a small restore
Open the backup and confirm that recent files are present. Try recovering a harmless test file to a separate location, without overwriting the original. Keep account recovery details secure and enable multi-factor authentication where available. Safely disconnect a removable backup drive when it is not in use.
We can help plan a backup arrangement and explain how to check it. Explore our home computer support or request a callback.
Further reading: National Cyber Security Centre: backing up your data.