Creating a custom category

Most computer files are defined by the two-, three-, or four-letter extension placed at the end of their names. Plain text files, for example, can be identified by their .txt file extension. When you record a Backup Files project, the program is simply searching your computer for files with extensions that correspond to the categories you selected. If you want to archive files that are not included on any of the pre-defined lists, you could choose to archive all files or edit one of the existing categories (see “Backup Files options“ on page 12 for more information), or you could create your own custom list of file extensions that will appear as the category called My Custom Category.

To create a custom file category:
1Click Options.

2Click File Backup on the left side of the Options window. The File Category options are displayed on the right side of the window.

3Click My Custom Category.

4Type a file extension into the Extension text box. It is not necessary to include the period.

5Click Add. The file extension is added to the list box on the right.
6Continue adding file extensions one at a time until you are finished.

To remove a file extension from your list, click its name in the list box, then click Remove.

7Click OK to save your list as My Custom Category. This new category is added to the list of file categories in the project window.

Creating a new Backup Files project

To create a new Backup Files project:

1Click the File Backup tab in the project list. A list of projects is displayed.

2 Click the Backup Files project.

3Click Browse and use the Browse for Folder window to select the drive or folder containing the files you would like to archive.

Note: Files stored on different source drives cannot be archived in the same Backup Files project.

4Select the types of files you wish to archive. Choose either All files in the selected path or Only files in the following categories.

If you selected only files in the following categories, select the file categories you would like to archive. The choices are Email, Financial, Music, Photos, Productivity, and Video and Recorded TV. If you created a custom category, it will also be available. See "Creating a custom category" on page 10 for more information.

Note: Hold your mouse pointer over an icon to see the category it represents.

5If you want, place a check mark in the Only archive files changed since checkbox to limit the backup to files that have been modified since the date you select. To change the date, click the date box arrow to open the calendar. When you click a date in the calendar, the date is automatically entered into the date box.

6Select a destination for your archived files from the Destination Selection list. The destination can be a hard drive, a disc recorder, or another type of storage device.

7To compress or encrypt your backup, click Advanced and select the appropriate settings:

•Compression-Click the Compress check box if you would like the back up files created for this project to be compressed. Compression reduces file size. The amount of compression varies based on the types of files you back up. Compressed files take longer to restore than uncompressed files.

•Encryption-Click the Encrypt check box to require a password to open or restore your backup project. Type a password for this project in the space provided and again in the confirmation box.

Caution: If you forget or lose your password, you will not be able to open or restore your backup project.

8 Click the action button to run the project now. To schedule your project, choose one of the options in Step 3 on the project window. For more information about scheduling a project, see "Using the Backup Files scheduler" on page 11.

-OR-

To save your project, click Save. Enter a name for the project, then click OK. If you decided to run the project now, a progress screen will inform you when the project has been completed.

9Click Done to return to the project window.
Note: Scheduled projects must be saved before they can be run.

10