Free Backup?

They say there’s no free lunch, but there sort of is free file backup, if you have the tools and the ingredients. As it turns out, the tools are free and you might already have the ingredients.

The tools: software already included with your computer or available as a free download.

The ingredients: any spare computer, extra hard drive, or USB memory stick.

The recipe? When cooking up your own file backup, it helps to know about the tried and true backup rule of three.

Say, you have your important files on your computer. The 3-2-1 rule is

• The files themselves on your computer
• Copies on some other physical device (spare computer, USB stick, hard drive)
• Copies at some other physical location

Example Basic Recipe

1. You have your files on your computer! Good job.
2. Copy your files to a USB stick.
3. Copy your files to another USB stick. Give it to a friend or family member for them to keep safe.

Problem solved! But, what happens if you get new files you want to backup? Then, you need a backup schedule.

Backup Schedule

1. You have your files on your computer! Good job.
2. Copy your files to your USB stick.
3. Arrange to meet your friend or family member again. Now, you switch USB sticks with each other!

This is a working example of a backup schedule. It may be, that this is all you need to keep your files safe.

Of course, there is room for improvement. But that’s for next installment. 🍹