Carbonite Support Knowledge Base

Backing Up Microsoft Edge Favorites

Microsoft Edge favorites reside in a folder that Carbonite Safe cannot back up. This article contains instructions on how to export your Microsoft Edge favorites to an HTML file that you can then select for backup.

Backing Up Sticky Notes

Carbonite automatically selects Microsoft’s Sticky Notes data for backup depending on your Carbonite plan.

Backing Up Your Apple Photos Library

Your Apple Photos pictures and video data are included in your backup by default if you had Carbonite automatically select files for backup.

Backing Up Your iTunes Music

When you install Carbonite using the Automatic setup option or allow Carbonite to automatically manage your backup, your iTunes music library will be backed up automatically if located in the default location. You can check the status of your iTunes music by looking for colored status dots on the icons of your music files. Music files will not be backed up automatically during the free trial period.

Backing Up Files on an External Hard Drive

You can back up files on a compatible external hard drive with Carbonite.

Backing Up Files on an External Hard Drive (Mac 2x)

You can use Carbonite to back up files on a Mac external hard drive from the Carbonite application.

Backing Up Your iTunes Media and Apple Music

Your iTunes music and Apple Music data is included in your backup by default if you had Carbonite automatically select files for backup. You can view the backup status of the music and video files by navigating to their locations within the Carbonite interface and the colored status dot on the files.

Backing Up Your RoboForm Data

Carbonite will automatically back up your RoboForm data if you chose the default, Automatic setup when you installed the software. You may need to manually select this data for backup if you chose to manage your own backup during installation.

Backing Up an Important File Right Away

By default, Carbonite backs up the first changes made to a file within 10 minutes of the file changing in each 24-hour period. Any changes made after 10 minutes will be scheduled for back up within 24 hours. You can manually instruct Carbonite to back up those changes immediately to ensure they are safe and secure on Carbonite's servers.

Backing Up Your Internet Explorer Favorites

Your Internet Explorer favorites are saved as individual files on your computer. If you chose to let Carbonite manage your backup during installation, your Internet Explorer favorites will be backed up by default.

Backing Up Your Google Chrome Bookmarks

Your Google Chrome bookmarks will be backed up by default if you chose to let Carbonite manage your backup selections during installation

Backing Up Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook 2010 and above stores a local copy of your email, contacts, and calendar on your computer. By default, Carbonite automatically backs up the .PST in the default file location so you can restore your information if you ever it.

Backing Up Quicken

Carbonite can back up your Quicken data if you are logged into the app on your Mac and manually select it for backup.

Backing Up Dropbox Files

You can select files in your Dropbox folder by right-clicking on them and selecting Carbonite; Back this up.

Backing Up Your Safari Bookmarks

Carbonite can back up your Safari bookmarks data. However, the data exists in a hidden Apple folder, so it is not included in Carbonite’s default backup selections.

Backing Up Mac Mail

Carbonite can back up your Mail data if you are logged into the app on your Mac and you select it for backup.

Backing Up Files in Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive with Carbonite

Carbonite can back up files from Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive that are synced to the computer.

Known Issue: Unable to Select iCloud Desktop and Documents Locations for Backup with Carbonite Safe

You cannot select the Desktop and Documents locations for backup with Carbonite Safe when iCloud Drive's Desktop & Documents folder sync is enabled.

Backing Up Your Email

You can back up your email if you use an email program like Apple Mail or Microsoft Outlook.

Backing Up Quicken

Your data for the current versions of Quicken will be backed up by default if you chose the Automatic Setup option during installation. Otherwise, you may have to manually add these files to your backup.

Backing Up Your Firefox Bookmarks

Carbonite does not back up your Mozilla Firefox bookmarks by default when Carbonite is managing your backup. Your Firefox bookmarks are saved in a folder on your computer entitled Bookmarkbackups and are able to be imported back into your Firefox web browser.

Backing Up OneNote Files

To back up your mail on Microsoft OneNote, you will need to manually export your OneNote notebook. After the data is exported from OneNote, you can select it for backup like any other file.

Backing Up Your Thunderbird Data

Mozilla Thunderbird keeps your email data within a hidden folder located on your computer. Carbonite does NOT add this location to your backup set by default. To ensure the files are backed up, navigate to the location where they are stored and select them for backup.

Backing Up Your Email

You can back up your email from an email program like Apple Mail or Microsoft Outlook.

Allowing Carbonite Through a Windows Application Firewall

If Carbonite is having trouble connecting to the Internet or running properly, it could be restricted by your firewall. Allowing Carbonite to connect to the Internet through the application firewall helps ensure Carbonite is able to perform its tasks successfully.

Known Issue: Unable to Select Files for Back Up

Some files such as pictures and .PDFs can occasionally be marked as temporary files due to the nature of the software used to create or import them. Files with the temporary attribute cannot be backed up by Carbonite. In most cases, a new copy of the file can be created that would remove this attribute and allow Carbonite to select it for backup. This can be done by zipping the file with the Windows compression tool, and then unzipping it.

Difficulty Backing Up Drives Encrypted by Software

While enabled, disk encryption programs prevent Carbonite from performing backup operations.

Known Issue: Legacy FileVault Prevents Carbonite from Backing up Files

Apple's disk encryption, FileVault, prevents Carbonite from backing up files.

Backing up Microsoft Outlook 2016

With Microsoft Outlook for Mac, Microsoft recommends exporting your information from within the Outlook application before trying to back them up.

Backing Up TurboTax

Your TurboTax data should be included in your backup by default if you had Carbonite automatically select files for backup on your computer. You can view the backup status of a file by navigating to its location on the computer and viewing the colored status dot on the file and/or folder.

Backing Up TurboTax

If you chose the Automatic setup option when you installed Carbonite, your TurboTax data will be selected for backup by default. If you elected to use the Advanced setup option when you installed Carbonite, you may need to manually select your TurboTax data for backup.

Backing Up Files on an External Hard Drive (Mac 1x)

You can use Carbonite to back up files on an external hard drive from Carbonite within the Apple System Preferences.

Transferring Carbonite Safe Between Windows and Mac

You can transfer your existing Carbonite Safe subscription from Windows to a Mac computer.

Updating to the Latest Version of Carbonite Safe

You can update to version of Carbonite Safe with this article.

Encryption Key Password

You can choose an optional password for your encryption key during the initial installation

Searching For Files to Restore

You can use Carbonite's Search and Restore function to restore files to their original location or to the desktop.

Selecting Files for Backup

Carbonite automatically selects the data associated with your computer profiles. You can select additional data by right-clicking on the file or folder and selecting Carbonite; Back this up.

Message: "Getting files stopped"

When attempting a restore, the restore stops with message that says "Getting files stopped"

Carbonite Windows Version Release Notes

Carbonite Version 6.4.6 is the latest version of the Carbonite product. We are sure you will like the many enhanced features. Installing and identifying your computer(s) is easier than ever. Backing up your files is simpler and there is additional information provided about the status of your backed up files. Restoring your files is now even quicker and easier with additional choices for files you would like to restore first and choosing a destination for your restored files.

FAQ: What Is Cloud Backup?

What Is cloud backup?

Windows Defender Controlled Folder Access and Carbonite

Controlled Folder Access is a feature included in Windows Defender for the Windows 10 Fall Creator’s Update. It is designed to prevent ransomware from encrypting your files. Controlled Folder Access can prevent Carbonite from being installed or updated, and it can also prevent Carbonite from being able to back up and restore your files. At this time, it is not recommended to actively use both Controlled Folder Access and Carbonite on the same computer.

Purchasing An Additional Carbonite Safe Subscription

You can purchase a Carbonite Safe subscription for each computer that you’d like to back up.

Locating the Carbonite Icon

The Carbonite icon is located in your Windows notification area / system tray at the bottom right of your screen. The Carbonite icon can be used to check the status of your backup, view and set options, and/or get assistance.

File Types Excluded from Backup for Carbonite Safe

Carbonite does not automatically select files larger than 4GB (Gigabyte) for backup. Files that may cause conflicts with your programs or operating system when restored are excluded from being backed up.

Transferring Your Carbonite Safe Subscription to Restore Files (Mac 2x)

You can transfer your Carbonite Safe subscription to restore your files to another computer.

Carbonite Plans and Features

This article covers the Carbonite Safe plans, features, and prices.

Locating Your Files After a Restore

Carbonite can restore your files to their original location or a new location of your choosing. If your files do not appear in their original locations, check your user folders (e.g. My Documents, Pictures, My Music, etc.).

Shutting Down Your Computer During Backup

For backup operations to be performed, there must be an active Internet connection and the computer must be powered on. Shutting down the computer will stop the backup. Once you connect to the Internet again, your backup will automatically resume from where it left off.

File Types Excluded from Backup for Carbonite Safe

Carbonite does not back up operating system files because they can cause system conflicts when restored. These files are typically reinstalled when you upgrade the operating system on your existing computer or when you purchase a new computer.

Pausing and Resuming Carbonite

Pausing Carbonite causes it to stop uploading your files to the Carbonite servers. Carbonite will continue to scan your computer for changes while paused. You can pause Carbonite for an increment of time. Carbonite can be paused to free up system resources for immediate use by another service or delay back up until a later time.

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