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FAQs
If you have questions about what to include in your backup set, this page provides tips and advice for ensuring you back up the files you need.
This article assumes you have permission to change your backup file selection. Your administrator may prevent editing of the backup file selection.
The short answer is, "Back up the files that matter to you." The Code42 app is designed to back up and download your user files.
User files
The Code42 app is designed to protect your user files. In other words, the files you create, edit, and access that allow you to get your job done. They also include certain files created by applications based on your information and settings in those programs.
The Code42 app isn't designed to back up system and application files and we don't recommend adding these files to your backup selection. Doing so could cause issues with the priority and status of other files you want backed up. Additionally, since the Code42 app isn't designed to download your operating system or applications, there is no advantage to backing up these types of files.
System files
These are files that your device needs to work correctly. They may be a part of your operating system, a third-party device driver, or another source. Typically, you don't interact with these files directly.
Application folders
These folders contain the files that allow various applications - like your email, word processor, and web browser programs - to work correctly. Like system files, you don't typically interact with these files directly.
If you select your entire hard drive as your backup set, including system and application files, these files could prevent your business files from backing up efficiently.
As part of its normal operation, your device creates new system and application files, which are small. Because the Code42 app prioritizes the To-Do list based on size and creation date, the system files are backed up before other files in your backup selection.
Some symptoms you might see if the Code42 app backs up system or application files:
Your administrator may configure the Code42 app to begin backing up immediately after you sign in to a device for the first time. However, if your backup isn't already configured, then the Code42 app prompts you to create your first backup set. If prompted, click View details, then follow the links to add files.
We recommend you add your User folder. This a great folder to start with because your business files and settings are typically saved here. This includes files you create or add, like documents and photos, as well as your customized settings for various applications.
Additionally, although typically "hidden", this folder contains the user's Library, which houses user information like application preferences, bookmarks, and fonts1. This is similar to the AppData folder in the User folder on devices running Windows. Even though the Library and AppData folders are usually "hidden" in your file browser, the Code42 app knows to back them up when the User or Home folder is selected.
1If you have installed any non-standard fonts at the system level, consider also backing up those files. The Font folder is located under the System folder on Mac or the Windows folder on Windows.
A few common considerations are listed below.
External drive
If you have an external drive that you want to back up, you can update your file selection to include this drive. Alternatively, if you want to back up the external drive on a different schedule than your local files, you can create backup sets to manage the file selections separately.
Deselect files
This default backup set often covers the majority of what should be included in your back up set. If you are concerned about the size of your backup set, you may choose to selectively delete folders or individual files from your backup selection. You can also choose to delete specified file types from this set, regardless of where they are stored.
Time Machine
The Code42 app and Time Machine complement each other well and they can be used on the same device, side-by-side, backing up your live data. However, for technical and practical reasons, you shouldn't try to integrate the two. Instead:
Virtual Machines and boot partitions
Backing up virtual machines (VMs) or separate boot partitions are special cases that may require specific settings. See our guide to backing up virtual machines and special boot partitions for more information.
User permissions requirement (Windows)
In the default Windows installation (installing the Code42 app for everyone on the device), the Code42 app relies on the system user's read/write permissions to access your files. However, there are some files or folders the system user may not have permission to access. If you need to back up these files or folders, add the system user to the permissions list.