Defining a file and folder backup

When you define and run a file and folder backup, copies are made of each of the files and folders that you have chosen to back up. They are converted into a compressed format, and then stored in a sub-folder at the location you specify, which by default is the same backup destination that is used for storing recovery points.

To define a file and folder backup

  1. On the Home page, click Run or Manage Backups.

  2. In the Run or Manage Backups window, click Define New.

    If you have not yet defined a backup, the Easy Setup dialog appears.

  3. Select Back up selected files and folders, and then click Next.

  4. Select the files and folders you want to include in your backup, and then click Next.

    Selecting file types lets Norton Ghost find and include files that match the files you want backed up. If a file type is not included in the predefined list, click Add File Type. You can also manually select folders or individual files.

    Note:

    On all versions of Windows, except for Windows Vista, the My Documents folder contains two subfolders by default: My Pictures and My Music. These folders contain only the shortcuts to folders at another location and not the actual files. This might lead you to think that by including My Documents and all subfolders in your backup, your picture and music files will get backed up.

    If you intend to back up your pictures and music files, be sure to include the actual folders where your files are stored. On Windows Vista, these folders exist at the same level as Documents (formerly, My Documents).

  5. In the Name box, type a name for your new backup.

  6. In the Description (optional) box, type a description for the new backup.

  7. Click Browse to locate a folder for storing your backup data or accept the default location.

    Note:

    You cannot use an encrypted folder as your backup destination. If you want to encrypt your backup data to prevent another user from accessing it, refer to the next step.

  8. To add or edit advanced options, click Advanced and do any of the following:

    • Click Use password, and then type a password.

      Use standard characters, not extended characters or symbols. You must type this password before you restore a backup or view its contents.

    • For an additional level of security, click Use AES encryption to encrypt your file data.

      You can also use the drop-down menu to specify the level of encryption you want.

    • In the Exclude group box, uncheck any of the folders you want to include in your backup.

      The folders listed are typically not used for storing personal files or folders. These folders are backed up when you define and run a drive-based backup of your system drive (typically C).

      See About folders that are excluded by default from file and folder backups.

  9. Click OK, and then click Next.

  10. Click Schedule if you want the backup to run automatically, according to a schedule.

    If you want to run the backup only when you start it manually, uncheck Schedule.

  11. Enter a start time and select the days of the week when the backup should run.

  12. For advanced scheduling options, such as setting up event triggers that start the backup in response to specific events, click Advanced and configure the desired options.

    See Table: Advanced scheduling options.

  13. Click Next and review the backup options you have selected.

  14. To review the total number and size of files to be included in the backup, click Preview.

    Note:

    Depending on the amount of data you have identified for file and folder backup, the preview process could take several minutes.

  15. If you want to run the new backup immediately, click Run backup now, then click Finish.

Defining a file and folder backup