How to Backup Programs
Given the degree to which the average person is becoming dependent on computers, a crash of a computer hard drive or operating system can be devastating. Countless hours of work and sensitive data can be lost in an instant. This can be avoided by regularly backing up your computer files so that in the event of a computer failure, you have a copy of all the important files and programs on your computer.
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Instructions
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Browse your computer and locate the programs and files you wish to back up. Note the size of each of these files while you do this so that you will know your backup storage capacity needs. The size of the file can be found by moving your mouse over the file, right clicking on it, and selecting "Properties."
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Purchase a form of removable media for backing up your computer. Recordable DVDs and CDs (known as DVD-R and CD-R), a USB flash drive and a removable computer hard drive are all good for storing copies of your computer's programs. Make sure you purchase one with enough storage capacity for all the files and programs you will be backing up, and account for your future backup needs.
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Insert the removable media into the appropriate drive for it on your computer.
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Navigate to the program files you wish to back up one at a time, and copy them to your backup media. On a Windows PC, simply right click on the icon for the file, select "Copy," navigate to the icon for the backup media you are using, click on "Edit" and then select "Paste." On Mac operating systems, you just need to hold down the "Option" key while dragging the icon for the program file to the icon for the backup media.
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Remove the media and store it in a safe place. Follow a regular schedule for backing up your program files, so your risk for major loss is always low.
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