Back up a Windows PC

Select a backup type:

• Create a backup with Seagate Dashboard
• Create a backup with Windows utilities

Create a backup with Seagate Dashboard

Seagate Dashboard is free, easy-to-use backup software that is included with Seagate drives. The instructions in this user manual can help you quickly set up a basic Dashboard backup. For details on additional Dashboard features such as Cloud sync and backing up mobile devices, see the Seagate Dashboard User Manual.

Install Dashboard on your PC

Install Dashboard when running the Start_Here_Win setup included on the Innov8 volume. You can also download the installer from the Seagate Dashboard website.

Create a computer backup

1. Open Seagate Dashboard.
2. On the Home page, click PC backup.
3. Choose a backup plan:
   • Back up Now. Seagate Dashboard begins backing up all your personal files and continues to back up new or revised files on your PC.
   • New Backup Plan. Select specific folders and files, a drive and the frequency for the backup.
4. Click Start backup.

Verify that a backup is complete

You can verify that your backups are working as expected in Seagate Dashboard Restore or in the Backup Log.

1. Open Seagate Dashboard.
2. Choose one of the following:
   • On the Home page, click Restore.
     A list of all backup jobs displays with the dates and times of each job.
   • On the Home page, click PC backup. Click Backup Log.
     An activity log displays.

Restore data from a Dashboard backup

You can retrieve files that you have backed up to your storage drive with a backup plan.

1. Open Seagate Dashboard.
2. On the Home page, click Restore.
3. Select a backup plan to use for restoring files.
4. Select the date to restore from.
5. Select the data you want to restore.
6. Choose the destination for the data you want to restore.
7. Click the check mark.

Create a backup with Windows utilities

The Windows operating system includes backup software.

Back up Windows 7

1. Click the Start button and choose Control Panel.
2. Click System and Security and then choose Backup and Restore.
3. Click Set up backup and complete the on-screen instructions. Make certain to choose your Innov8 as the backup destination.

Back up Windows 8 / Windows 8.1

Windows 8 has separate backup utilities for your non-system files (documents, media, graphics, etc.) and system files.

Back up non-system files

1. Connect your Innov8 to your computer.
2. Open Control Panel and select File History.
3. Click Turn on. Make certain to choose your Innov8 as the backup destination.
4. (Optional) To customize your backups with scheduling options, the number of backup versions and more, click Advanced Settings.

Back up Windows 8 system files

1. Connect your Innov8 to your computer.
2. Open the Control Panel and select Windows 7 File Recovery.
3. Click Set up Backup.
4. Follow the on-screens instructions and make certain to choose your Innov8 as the backup destination.

Back up Windows 8.1 system files

1. Connect your Innov8 to your computer.
2. Open the Control panel and select File History.
3. Click System Image Backup (lower left corner of File History).
4. Click Turn on.
5. Follow the on-screens instructions and make certain to choose your Innov8 as the backup destination.

Back up Windows 10

Windows 10 includes both File History and Backup and Restore (Windows 7). You can search for and launch each utility then use the directions above to configure backups.