Back up important files

A simple backup before repairs

Read the complete step before making changes. Stop if unsure or if new warnings appear.

  1. Connect your own external hard drive or USB stick with enough space. If Windows asks you to format and there is already data on it: cancel. A backup needs another drive, not just a second folder on C:.

  2. Open Explorer with Windows + E. Mark important folders like documents and pictures. Press Ctrl + C, open the external drive and press Ctrl + V. Copy instead of moving the originals. Depending on the application, emails and program data require their own export.

  3. Wait for copying to finish. Open some backed up files directly from the external drive. Also check whether the expected folders are present. Cloud synchronization alone does not reliably protect against accidental deletion.

  4. Use “Safely Remove Hardware” at the bottom right and only remove the drive after it has been released. Keep it separate from the PC and repeat the backup regularly. For irreplaceable data, another independent backup makes sense.