General educational information • Reviewed July 16, 2026
Choose what cannot be replaced
Family photos, personal documents, financial records, and creative work deserve clear priority. Knowing the important folders makes every later decision easier.
Keep copies in separate places
One external device beside the computer protects against some failures but not theft, fire, or damage to the room. A second location reduces shared risk.
Test a restore
A green status icon is not enough. Periodically restore a sample file and open it. The ability to recover is the real measure of a backup.