How to Choose Data Files to Backup

Deciding which data files to backup will be the first step. (This post will be the first of 3 on the topic of how to backup your data.)

First, take a moment and think about all the data on your computer:

• Digital photos
  


• Music files like MP3s or iTunes songs
  


• Video of family vacations, babies, friends
  


• Business presentations, proposals, customer accounts, financial documents
  


• Personal letters, homework assignments
  


• Emails, customer databases, contact information, web site bookmarks
  


• Software installation files downloaded after an online purchase
  

Ultimately, it is a personal decision as to what data files you choose to backup.

Only you know what computer data is important to you.

If you're not sure whether a file should be backed up, ask yourself the next question:

Will I be upset if my hard drive crashes and I lost these data files?

If you answer "no", then you likely don't need a data backup solution.

Would you pay money to recover your lost data files?

If you will pay money to recover your data files, then you should pay money to protect your data with a backup procedure.

It is much less expensive to invest in a backup solution now than it is to pay fees charged by data recovery experts.

How large is your data?

Your answer to this question determines which data backup options will --and won't -- work for you. With small data files, you stand a better chance of finding a free or cheap online backup service, like Mozy, to store your data.

Some examples of (typically) small file types (less than 2 MB):

• Word processing documents, composed in MS Word or Word Perfect


• Excel spreadsheets


• PDF documents

Some examples of larger file types (greater than 2 MB):

• Digital photos with a high resolution (2MB to 10MB PER photo)


• Digital Video


• High quality music files


• Outlook personal folders (PST files) for email
  


• Access, Excel or ACT Databases

Tip: Check the size of a data file by hovering the cursor over the file icon for 3 seconds.

Once you have answered these questions, you can continue to the next blog article: Deciding Where to Keep Your Backup Data.

Here are some additional articles and resources regarding how to back up computer data:

How to Decide Which Data to Backup, an article written by Microsoft

"Free Backup Info"

"Backup Articles" by Argentum

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