Resolve this year to clean up and backup your computer. Delete old files that you no longer need (be careful not to delete system files) including old download files. Arrange your files so that all your documents and pictures are stored in My Documents or on your desktop for easy backup.
I am always harping on backing up your files. One of the questions we ask when folks bring in their computers for service or virus cleanup is, are there critical files on your machine. We love it when people say, yes but I have a recent backup so don't worry about it.
What is critical data?
- Family photos top the list for most people.
- Financial records in the form of downloaded bank statements, spreadsheets, accounting software files.
- Genealogy records.
- That manuscript you've been working on!
- Job search records--your updated resume and other documents used in job searching.
- Business records and work product that you need for your job or business.
- In short, anything on your computer that you can not duplicate elsewhere or wouldn't want to try to duplicate.
As hard as we try to keep our machines free of viruses and in good working order, they can be crashed by malware or by hardware failure.
So keep this one resolution. Clean up your files so they are easy to backup, then backup regularly. You will be glad you did.
If you are uncomfortable navigating through your files, deleting files or moving files for backup, CrexTechs can help. If you have high speed internet, we can help you by connecting to your computer with our remote utility and can go through files with you, organizing them and deleting what is not needed. We can also help advise you on what you will need to backup your critical data. Remote charges are by quarter hour. Give us a call at 715-463-2365.