Carbonite Support Knowledge Base

Getting Started with Carbonite Safe

You can use the Carbonite application to back up your files to Carbonite’s secure servers. When you need to get your files back, you can use Carbonite to restore your files at any time.

File Types Carbonite Backs Up for Carbonite Safe

Carbonite automatically backs up the files that are most important to you, such as your pictures, documents and music. By intelligently scanning your computer, Carbonite does not include unnecessary files, which improves backup and restore speeds. Less common types of files can be manually added to your Carbonite backup. Review this article to understand what is and is not included in your backup.

Low Priority Mode

By default, Carbonite backs up your files as quickly as possible without interfering with other programs or services. The Low Priority option can be used to slow Carbonite down if you find it is affecting another service, such as VoIP telephony (e.g., Skype and Vonage).

How to Tell What Is Backed Up

You can check the status and the contents of your backup through the Carbonite software or through your Carbonite account online.

Installing Carbonite Safe and Initial Backup Selections

After you set up your Carbonite Safe account, you can install Carbonite to start backing up your files.

Managing Your Private Encryption Key for Carbonite Safe

During the initial installation, Carbonite Safe allows you to manage your own encryption key for Windows computers.

Pausing and Resuming Carbonite (Mac 2x)

You can pause Carbonite from the Carbonite User Interface to temporarily stop Carbonite from backing up your Mac.

File Types Carbonite Backs Up for Carbonite Safe (Mac 2x)

Carbonite is designed to back up all the unique and irreplaceable files on your computer. Included in your backup are your text documents, spreadsheets, financial documents, photos, music, etc. With the Carbonite Safe Basic plan, video files are not selected for back up by default. They need to be added to your backup manually.

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 Your Email

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

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.

Stuck Backup and Backup Errors

Carbonite backs up your computer automatically. However, there may be some instances that prevent Carbonite from backing up your computer properly.

Importing QuickBooks

If you chose the Automatic setup when installing Carbonite, your data for the current versions of QuickBooks will be backed up by Carbonite.

Importing Your RoboForm Data

You will need to import your RoboForm files back into RoboForm in order to access them once they are restored by Carbonite.

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.

Low Priority Mode (Mac 1x)

By default, Carbonite backs up your files as quickly as possible without interfering with your important tasks. Placing Carbonite in Low Priority mode causes it to use less of your available bandwidth during backup, thereby freeing up bandwidth for other services.

Backing Up Your Email

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

Getting Started with Carbonite Safe (Mac 2x)

Carbonite is an online backup application that backs up your files to our secure servers and helps you restore the files back to your computer at any time.

Carbonite Plans and Features

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

Carbonite Post-Restore Checklist

This checklist will assist you with performing post restore functions to get your data where it needs to be and resume your backup.

Opening the Carbonite Interface

The Carbonite interface displays information about your backup, subscription and account. The Carbonite interface allows you to set a backup schedule, restore files, manage your Carbonite account, and instruct Carbonite to use less of your Internet bandwidth.

Transferring Your Carbonite Safe Subscription to Restore Files

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

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.

Virtual Machines

You can use Carbonite to back up data files located on a Virtual Machine. Files located on Virtual Machines must be visible to your computer's file management system for Carbonite to be capable of backing them up. Carbonite recommends that you do not attempt to back up the operating files of Virtual Machines.

Moving Carbonite Safe to Another Windows Computer

You can transfer your Carbonite Safe subscription from your old computer to your new or repaired computer to restore your files or start a new backup.

Selecting Excluded File Types for Backup

You can select excluded file types for backup in the Carbonite Properties menu.

The Backup Settings Page / Settings Tab for Carbonite Safe

You can configure Carbonite's settings so that system resources are used more efficiently. The Settings tab of the Carbonite InfoCenter (or the Backup settings page of the Carbonite application) allows you to toggle Carbonite's default backup selections, control how Carbonite uses Internet bandwidth, toggle Carbonite's colored status dots on or off, and set a backup schedule.

Uninstalling Carbonite Safe

You can remove Carbonite from your computer by uninstalling it. After you uninstall Carbonite, Carbonite will no longer back up your files, but your existing backup will remain safe while you have a paid subscription.

Backing Up Files on an External Hard Drive

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

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.

Changed Files

How does Carbonite back up changed files?

Upgrading Your Carbonite Safe Subscription

You can upgrade your Carbonite Safe plan to a Carbonite Safe Plus or Prime subscription to backup an external hard drive, automatically back up video files, and take advantage of Courier Recovery.

Hibernation and Sleep Mode

You need to configure your Windows hibernation and sleep settings so Carbonite's connection to your computer is not disrupted during a backup or restore.

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.

Storage of Data After Deleting Files from Your Computer

When Carbonite scans for files to back up, it also removes deleted files from the backup to keep it up-to-date. Depending on your plan, Carbonite removes deleted files after 30 or 60 days from the date they were deleted from the computer.

Pausing a Restore

You can pause your restore in progress through the Restore Manager for any reason and resume it after. We recommend that you keep your restore running uninterrupted as long as possible in order to complete your restore in the most efficient time possible.

Carbonite Windows Version Release Notes

Carbonite Version 6.6.0 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.

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 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.

Known Issue: Unable to Open Carbonite Interface

If you are encountering issues with opening Carbonite, enable the CarboniteService and attempt to open Carbonite again.

How to Speed up Your Backup and Restore

The speed of your Internet connection is the primary factor for how fast you can back up or restore your files. Your backup and restore speed will also depend on the speed of your computer, the amount of data selected for backup/restore, and the amount of strain your other programs and services have on your internet connection.

FAQ: What Is Cloud Backup?

What Is cloud backup?

Carbonite Icon Notification Area Meanings

The Carbonite icon displays information about your Carbonite backup at a glance.

Entering and Exiting Recover Mode

When Carbonite scans for files to back up, it removes files you delete from the backup after 30 or 60 days to ensure your backup is up to date. You can enter Recover Mode to stop this timer if you need more time to restore your files. After your files are safely restored, you can exit Recover Mode to start backing up your files again.

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.

Important Things to Know About Carbonite Safe as You Get Started

This article contains information about Carbonite Safe that you may not be aware of when first installing the software.

Requesting a Courier Recovery Drive for Carbonite Safe

You can request Courier Recovery to receive a copy of your backed up files on an external hard drive.

Scheduling Your Backup for Carbonite Safe

Carbonite is designed to always be running. You can alternatively schedule your backup to start at a specific time or prevent backup activity between certain hours. Creating a custom schedule allows you to control when Carbonite uses your system resources.

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.

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.

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