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7652
July 2nd, 2012 15:00
Backing up data and applications
I regularly back up my PC to an external hard disk and keep the disk in a safe place, separate from the PC. Is there really any need to back it up internally using Dell's Data Safe program? Isn't this overkill?
What I would really like to back up are the .exe files of all my applications, as every time I change PCs or the system crashes, it takes me an awful lot of time, effort and expense to recoup the apps I had running.
Does Dell's Data Safe program back up executable files? If not, what is the best way to back them up, other than through an image of the hard drive?
The operating system I guess it's a different story altogether. My Dell PC came with Windows 7 pre-installed. When it crashed, the computer shop reinstalled it for me, so I didn't need the backup. But if I wanted to back it up, how would I do it?
DELL-Satya P
803 Posts
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July 2nd, 2012 15:00
Hi Isavinon,
Welcome to the Community.
Dell DataSafe Local provides you with the capability to create a set of Recovery Discs that contain a complete copy of all software installed on your Dell computer. By creating these Recovery Discs, you are making a backup of all the software that was installed on your computer at the factory, which allows you to reinstall all applications, drivers and the Windows operating system shipped with your computer.
Click on this link for more information about Dell Data Safe Local Back up : support.dell.com/.../document
Glad to be of help.
Dell_Abhishek_B
551 Posts
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July 2nd, 2012 15:00
Hi lsavinon,
Welcome to the Community.
I would like to inform you that if you are keeping a backup on an external hard drive you do not need to backup again using Dell Datasafe.
Regarding backup of the pre-installed soft wares there is already a factory default image installed on your hard dri and you can always do a PC restore to get it back to default settings. I would also like to inform you that all the soft wares you have received with the system are available for download and installation on the My dell downloads website and it is better to reinstall the softwares instead of backing it up as some of these soft wares get regularly updated over the internet and once you back it up you don't get the latest updated while restoring it.
Please respond in case you need any further assistance or clarification.
Glad to help!
Abhishek Banerjee
Social Outreach Professional
You can reach us at: www.en.community.dell.com
lsavinon
4 Posts
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July 3rd, 2012 05:00
OK, so from the above inputs, my conclusion is:
- I do not need to backup the operating system or pre-installed software because a backup already exists in my PC, but in case of a crash, it's better to download the software from Dell so I can have the latest versions.
- I do not need to backup the data files if I regularly back them up to an external disk.
That leaves the new applications that did not come pre-installed with the PC. I may have downloaded them or purchased the physical version in a store. Here again, if I download them again I would have the latest version but sometimes the latest version just brings a lot of features I don't need, and coming back to the main point, it takes me an awful lot of time and effort to reinstall everything.
So someone suggested I back up the executable files unless I have the programs on a physical disk. But how do you back up .exe files and on what type of media?
Dell_Abhishek_B
551 Posts
0
July 5th, 2012 14:00
Hi lsavinon,
Thanks for the reply.
I would like to inform you that you can only backup the factory installed softwares that came with the dell system using dell datasafe. However we have no ways of backing up any executable softwares.
For further information on restoration and backup you can check the following link.
support.dell.com/.../document
Please respond in case you need any further assistance or clarification.
Thanks and Regards
DELL_Abhishek_ B
Dell Social Media Responder
You can reach us at: www.en.community.dell.com