Back up your computer to your Seagate Innov8

What is a backup?

There are two types of backup:

System backup: A system backup copies everything on your computer onto an external storage device including the operating system, applications and data. If the computer’s hard drive fails, the computer can be restored to its former state with the backed up system data.
File backup: A file backup copies select data files onto an external storage device. If the computer’s hard drive fails, the files are safe on the external storage drive but the operating system and applications must be reinstalled.

Important info: Windows requires a repair or restore CD/DVD or USB device for full system backups.

Backup options

The following table shows how you can back up data from your computer to your Innov8.

	System backup	File backup
Seagate Dashboard		x (Windows only)
Copy and paste		x
Windows System Image Backup (Creates an image of the PC. Windows 7, 8 and 10)	x	x
Windows 7 Backup and Restore	x	x
Windows 8 File History		x
Windows 10: Backup and Restore (Windows 7) or File History	x (Backup and Restore)	x (File History)
Mac Time Machine	x	x

Click the links below for further information regarding each backup solution:

Seagate Dashboard

Windows System Image Backup

Windows 7 Backup and Restore

Windows 8 and 10 File History

Mac Time Machine

When initiating a backup task, make certain that your Innov8 has sufficient capacity to hold the data you want to back up.

All of the options in the table can be automated except for copy and paste. Seagate recommends that you choose an automated backup solution. Copying and pasting is a manual task that requires your attention with each change to a file on your computer. If you forget to manually copy files, you risk losing important data should your computer’s hard drive experience problems. Further, automated solutions, once created, only require that you connect your Innov8 to your computer.

Click one of the following links to learn how to back up your computer.

Click here to access an up-to-date online versionof this document. You will also find the most recent content as well as expandable illustrations, easier navigation, and search capability.