Use Desktop Backup to protect data files (e.g., documents, spreadsheets, presentations, photos, music, videos) on your computer that are stored in locations not otherwise protected.
Use Desktop Backup for...
| ...backing up... | ...because |
|---|---|
| Files stored locally on Mac computers. | The Documents folder on Mac computers is not automatically stored on a file server and therefore is not otherwise backed up. |
| Files on Windows computers that do not redirect My Documents to a file server. | Files not redirected to a file server will be lost in the event of a hard drive crash or other disaster.
Check with your local IT support if you are not sure. |
| Files on external hard drives. | These files are otherwise unprotected. |
Desktop Backup is NOT appropriate for...
| ...backing up... | ...because |
|---|---|
| Your entire computer hard drive. | CrashPlan is not designed to restore your operating system or applications. These files are more successfully restored from installation media and backing them up may negatively impact backups of your important data.
See CrashPlans document What Should You Back Up for more information. |
Network or Cloud storage, such as:
|
Files placed in these locations are protected by these services. Deleted files can be retrieved by the user for a period of time. Your local IT staff and ITS service providers can assist if necessary. |
| A computer running a server operating system or requiring a research data archive. | CrashPlan is designed for backing up active data files on desktop operating systems. Use MiBackup for server and research archives. |