*Note: Suggested file selection information is provided as is and is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate. It is the users responsibility to verify the proper files and directories are selected for backup.
What files should you select?
Try to focus your selection on things like your "My Documents", "My Pictures" or "My Music" folders and data files of your important programs like accounting, income tax, contact management, etc. The location of the My Documents directory will vary depending on the operating system you are using.
- Windows 95/98/98SE: C:\My Documents
- Windows ME: C:\My Documents or C:\Documents and Settings\yourusername\My Documents
- Windows 2000/XP: C:\Documents and Settings\yourusername\My Documents
Note that the My Documents directory can contain sub-directories such as My Downloads that you may not wish to backup.
What files should you avoid selecting?
In general, you can avoid backing up any programs that you can reinstall from a purchased CD, such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.). Why pay for storage for "stuff" you can easily re-install?
How much data have I selected?
The amount of data selected is indicated in Kilobytes in the bottom right corner of the application. In the picture below, 47,605 Kilobytes are selected. This is the equivalent of 47.6 Megabytes (1 MB = 1000 KB).
What files should be selected to backup Quicken?
Quicken data files are stored by default in the "QUICKENW" folder. The default program location depends upon what version you’re using.
- Quicken 2001 and below are installed here:
C:\QuickenW
- Quicken 2002 and above are installed here:
C:\Program Files\QuickenW
or
C:\Program Files\Intuit\Quicken
Select all files with the extensions of ".QDF", ".QSD", and ".QEL". Depending on the version of Quicken you're using, there may be additional data files you may want to select for backup. These extensions are NPC, ADB, EML, HCX, QPH, QTX, QMD, QDT, QIF, and QDB.
For example, if you create a Quicken file called "BIZ-DATA", the Quicken files would be called "BIZ-DATA.QDF", "BIZ-DATA.QSD", and "BIZ-DATA.QEL".
What files should be selected to backup QuickBooks
QuickBooks data files are stored by default in the QuickBooks program directory. The default program location is here:
- C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks
QuickBooks files typically use the company name you initially assigned. Backup all files with the extension of "QBW". You may also want to backup files with the following extensions,"QBA" and "TDB".
For example, if you create a QuickBooks file called "MyBusiness", the QuickBooks files would be called "MyBusiness.QBW", "MyBusiness.QBA", and "MyBusiness.TDB" and you would typically find them in the QuickBooks folder.
What files should be selected to backup Microsoft Money?
Microsoft Money data files are stored here by default:
- C:\My Documents or C:\Documents and Settings\yourusername\My Documents
Microsoft Money files have the extension "MNY".
What files should be selected to backup Outlook?
Outlook stores mail, calendar and contact information in a single file. By default, it is named Outlook.pst. This file is typically nested and is easier to select for backup by following these steps:
- Click the Start menu in the task bar and select Find or Search.
- Select “For Files and Folders...”
- On the next screen enter *.PST where it says “Named”.
- In the “Look In” field, select My Computer and click Find or Search Now.
- The active outlook file will have a "modified date" matching the last time you opened Outlook.
- Right-click on the filename and select “Properties” to determine the exact location.
*Note: In order to find these files you may need to change your folder view settings. Go, Tools menu -> Folder Options -> View panel -> Select "View hidden files and Folders" and uncheck "Hide extensions of known file types"
What files should be selected to backup Outlook Express?
Outlook Express stores each mail folder as a separate file. Each filename ends with the extension "DBX" (example. inbox.dbx). These files are typically nested and are easier to select for backup by following these steps:
- Click the Start menu in the task bar and select Find or Search.
- Select “For Files and Folders...”
- On the next screen enter *.DBX where it says “Named”.
- In the “Look In” field, select My Computer and click Find or Search Now.
- The active inbox.dbx file will normally have a modified date matching the last time you opened Outlook Express.
- Select the entire directory where.
*Note: In order to find these files you may need to change your folder view settings. Go, Tools menu -> Folder Options -> View panel -> Select "View hidden files and Folders" and uncheck "Hide extensions of known file types"
What files should be selected to backup my AOL 9.0 mail and favorites?
AOL data files are stored in the "Organize" folder. This folder contains a list of screen name files that hold the Personal Filing Cabinets (PFCs) and Favorite Places for each screen name in use on that computer.
Follow these steps to locate and select the Organize folder for backup:
- Launch the AOL program
- On the AOL Toolbar, click HELP and then select ABOUT AMERICA ONLINE.
- Hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard and then press the letter H once.
- From the AOL Help Panel, select START SYSINFO TOOL.
- Click DATA FOLDER and then double-click the America Online 9.0 folder.
- Note the location of the ORGANIZE folder and add make the appropriate changes in the backup client application.
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