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Question

Software to backup files to external HD?

Feb 7, 2014 10:41PM PST

Running Windows 8.1. Mostly have photos and some important documents. Ability to backup browser favorites would be a nice extra. Want something simple and reliable.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
software
Feb 11, 2014 7:57PM PST

What annoys me is the software Acronis and Norton Goust are expensive.
is there a good stand alone software that can be used t back-up the hard drive

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Re: backup
Feb 11, 2014 8:02PM PST
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Answer
Re: backup files
Feb 7, 2014 10:48PM PST

Where the browser favorites are depends on the browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera). For IE it are just files in a folder that you can backup like any file in any folder. In other browsers (and in IE also) you can export your favorites to just one file (that you can later import, if necessary) which you can backup like any file in any folder.

Moreover, we highly recommend a tool that just copies the files, so you can access them with Windows Explorer if you need them. Reliable and simple tools that come with Windows are:
- Windows Explorer
- xcopy (call it from a batchfile)
- robocopy (call it from a batchfiile)
If you prefer a GUI to select folders to backup try Synctoy from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=15155.

Kees

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Answer
Checkout...
Feb 8, 2014 11:16PM PST

You can use a flash drive or an ext. USB device like a CD/DVD drive or even a HD(AC powered?). That all depends on your needs but a decent brand 16gb flash drive will work fine for most and simple to use. As Kees already stated to you, just copy to the flash drive will work. Verify you have copied your files/folders and proceed to your normal usage. I like ext. CD/DVD because if done correctly will have a more reliable copy as flash and HD drives can get wonky.

Browsers favorites usually have export/import ability, find yours and do that, export to a folder/file and then copy that to your storage media as explained above. If you need a more constant update of your important data, look into "sync s/w" which can dump on demand or time frame data ID'ed by you. Also, ext. HD when brought in "full retail form" usually have s/w that back-ups, syncs or make it easy to save data to it.

if your important data is that critical and you really want to save then make "multiple copies" don't rely on one copy, things do happen as these forums post all the time.

tada -----Willy Happy

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Answer
try using File Explorer in Win 8
Feb 11, 2014 7:45AM PST

connect your external hard drive to your PC.. open File Explorer up.. copy your files you want backed up from your C drive on over to the External Hard drive... for instance if you want to back up from your PC the My Pictures folder.. or any part of it just right click on it then COPY.. go down the tree to your external hard drive listed and paste that folder(s) onto the external Hard Drive ...no other software needed..any folders/files can be backed up this way..

if you want to back up your entire PC or a large part of it rather than each folder separately then a backup software program might make it easier

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/files-folders-windows-explorer

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Answer
firefox
Feb 16, 2014 12:10PM PST

All I do in it is clk on Bookmarks icon, choose to Open All Bookmarks, then clk on Import and Backup, choose Export to HTML file.