Schedules and automation
A backup runs immediately by default. The execution setting lets it run according to a schedule or as soon as the backup drive is connected (hotplug).
Open the execution settings
- On the start page, select Back up your PC, Back up drives or Back up files.
- On the backup page, Execution shows Run Instantly. Select Customize.
- Choose the execution type and confirm.
The start page shows the execution of the last performed backup under Last performed backup, with a Customize link to change it. The status bar shows whether a backup is planned.
Execution options
| Option | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Run backup immediately | The backup runs as soon as you select Execute backup and is not repeated automatically. Default. |
| Do not schedule automatic backup | The backup is only started manually. |
| Perform automatic backup according to a schedule | The backup runs regularly at the chosen interval. |
| Perform automatic backup when connecting a drive (Hotplug) | The backup starts as soon as the configured destination drive is connected. |
Schedule
If you choose Perform automatic backup according to a schedule, the following intervals are available:
| Interval | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Only once | Runs once at the specified time. |
| Hourly | Runs at a freely definable interval of hours. |
| Daily | Runs every day at the specified time. |
| Weekly | Runs on the selected weekdays at the specified time. |
| Continuous | Runs again after a waiting time that you define. |
For Continuous, choose the Waiting time until next backup: 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4, 8 or 12 hours, 1 or 2 days, or 1, 2 or 4 weeks. The backup is run again whenever the waiting time has elapsed.
Backups when a drive is connected
With Perform automatic backup when connecting a drive, the backup starts as soon as the configured backup destination is connected, for example an external USB hard disk.
The Execution delay sets how long after the connection the backup starts: immediately, 5, 15 or 30 seconds, or 1, 5, 10, 15 or 30 minutes. A delay gives the drive time to initialize completely after it is connected.
Recommendation
Automatic execution keeps the backups current without manual intervention. For important data, set up a daily or continuous backup.
Keep the destination available at the planned time: a scheduled backup to an external drive or a network directory can only run while that destination is connected. See Troubleshooting.