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File Types Carbonite Backs Up for Carbonite Safe

Summary:

Carbonite automatically backs up the files that are most important to you. By scanning your computer, Carbonite does not select unnecessary file types, which improves backup and restore speeds. However, less common user-created data can be manually added to your Carbonite backup.

For best results, we recommend that you take a moment to confirm that the data most important to you is included in your backup.

Solution:

For more information about what is included in your Carbonite backup, click one of the collapsible sections below.

What does Carbonite back up?

  • Carbonite backs up user-created files such as:
    • Word documents
    • Text files
    • PowerPoint presentations
    • Excel spreadsheets
    • Pictures
    • Archive files (.zip files)
    • .PDFs
    • Most files created within programs
  • Microsoft Outlook Emails (.PST files).
  • Email files are saved with Mail in Windows 10.
  • Financial data files used by programs like Quicken and QuickBooks.
  • Music files*
  • Video files**

* Automatic backup of Music files requires a paid Carbonite subscription.
** Automatic backup of Video files requires a Carbonite Safe Plus or a Safe Prime subscription.

Need to back something up? You can select most files or folders for backup at any time by right-clicking them and selecting Carbonite; Back this up.

  • The C:/Users location on your computer will be backed up automatically if you chose Automatic settings during installation.
  • Any new files created in this location will be backed up automatically.
    • You can always turn this setting off or on by toggling the "Include Carbonite's Default File Types in My Backup" option in the Carbonite application.
      • When off, Carbonite will not automatically back up new file types when they are added to this location.
    • If you chose Advanced settings during installation and opted to start with nothing in your backup, this location will not be selected for backup by default.
      • Enabling the "Include Carbonite's Default File Types in My Backup" option in the Carbonite application will select this location for backup.

What's not included?

Files and Folders that are Not Automatically Selected

The following items can be manually included in your backup by right-clicking them and selecting Carbonite; Back this up.

  • Files and folders outside of the C:\Users locations. Examples are:
    • Files and folders on external hard drives (requires Safe Plus or Safe Prime)
    • Files and folders on the root of the C:\ drive.
  • Files located in C:\Users\[User]\AppData\ EXCEPT for select locations known to contain relevant user data. More information here.
  • Video Files*
  • Individual files that are over 4GB in size.on Safe Basic**
  • If you started with Advanced settings and chose to start with nothing in your backup, nothing will be automatically selected for backup.
* Video files will only be automatically selected after you purchase a Carbonite Safe Plus or Safe Prime subscription and the files are in a folder already selected for backup.

** Safe Plus and Safe Prime allow for automatic backup of files up to 100GB in size.

Need to see what files can't be included in your backup? Expand the Technical Details section below.

Technical Details

What Can't be Included?

Carbonite Safe is not designed to back up the following types of files or folders:

  • Temporary files and operating system files.
  • Any data that isn't stored locally. This includes data from web based mail apps.
  • Shortcuts
    • A shortcut is a "link" used by Windows to point to a file or folder in a different location. Shortcuts should not be backed up. If you wish to back up the data that a shortcut points to, please navigate to the actual file or folder and select it for backup.
  • Files that make up your database programs such as SQL and Exchange.
    • Files within a database are interconnected within a folder structure and Carbonite Safe can only backup at a file level. In a recovery scenario, Carbonite Safe is able to restore previous versions of files such as a Word document, but is unable to restore a previous version of a folder where the database exists.
    • Because Carbonite Safe is not designed to back up such databases, backing up and restoring a database using Carbonite would make this information unusable when it is needed most.
    • Our Carbonite Safe Server Backup program is a robust, comprehensive and easy-to-use service that allows you to back up your complete database "as is" and restore it in a usable format. For more information about backing up your important databases like SQL and Exchange, please contact our Sales team at 1-855-227-2249.
  • System files and Programs such as .EXE and .DLL files.
    • These files can create registry edits (that Carbonite cannot back up) and change similar system-related functions that are excluded.
    • A list of excluded file types is available below.
  • Files located in protected system folders.
    • These normally govern how the operating system runs and operates.
    • Most users don't store recoverable data in these locations.

If you wish to see a list of what specific folders and file types are excluded from backup, please click one of the collapsible section headers below.

Folders Excluded from Backup

The following folders are excluded from your online backup:

Note: Documents and Settings\**\ and Users\*\ are interchangeable within this list. An asterisk in a path signifies a folder location whose name is variable depending on your system configuration.

%WINDIR%\*
%TEMP%\*
%TMP%\*
\Recycler\*
\Recycle Bin\*
\System Volume Information\*
\MSOCache\*
\I386\*
\**\.DS_Store
\AdwCleaner\Quarantine\*

\Users\**\App*Data**\**\Currents\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\**\Sync & Share\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Adobe\Bridge CS5\Cache\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\AOL\UserProfiles\All Users\cls\common.cls
\Users\**\App*Data**\Apple Computer\Safari\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\AVG Security Toolbar\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Dropbox\cache\*

\Users\**\App*Data**\Google\Chrome\Application\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\databases\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\JumpListIcons\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\JumpListIconsOld\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Plugin Data\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\User StyleSheets\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Google\Google Desktop*\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Google\GoogleEarth\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Google\Picasa2\db3\previews*.db
\Users\**\App*Data**\Google\Toolbar Cache\*

\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Amazon Cloud Player\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Amazon Music\*

\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Evernote\Evernote\Databases\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Garmin\*

\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Caps\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\GPUCache\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Session Storage\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Storage\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Web Applications\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\EVWhitelist\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\PepperFlash\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\pnacl\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\SwiftShader\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\WidevineCDM\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Google\CrashReports\*

\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Idrive\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Logos\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Logos5\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Microsoft\Windows\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Opera Software\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Packages\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Spotify\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\Temp\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\TomTom\HOME3\cache\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files (x86)\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\LocalLow\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\McAfee\*

\Users\**\App*Data**\Microsoft Help\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Microsoft\CryptnetUrlCache\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\iconcache\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Recovery\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Microsoft\Media Player\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Microsoft\Office\Recent\index.dat
\Users\**\App*Data**\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook.NK2
\Users\**\App*Data**\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\ExplorerStartupLog*.etl
\Users\**\App*Data**\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\iconcache*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\thumbcache*.db
\Users\**\App*Data**\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\TileCache*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Microsoft\Windows\WER\*

\Users\**\App*Data**\Mozilla\FireFox\Profiles\*\Cache*\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\Cache.Trash\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Mozilla\FireFox\Profiles\*\parent.lock
\Users\**\App*Data**\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\places.sqlite*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\startupCache\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\urlclassifier3.sqlite
\Users\**\App*Data**\Mozilla\Profiles\*\Cache.Trash\*

\Users\**\App*Data**\Opera\Opera**\cache*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Roaming\.minecraft\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Roaming\Adobe\Common\Media Cache Files\*

\Users\**\App*Data**\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPad Software Updates\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPod Software Updates\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Roaming\Apple Computer\Logs\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Roaming\Apple Computer\MediaStream\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\*

\Users\**\App*Data**\Roaming\Dropbox\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Roaming\NCH Software\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Sun\Java\Deployment\cache\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Thunderbird\Profiles\*\Cache\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\X1 Desktop Search\*
\Users\**\App*Data**\Yahoo! Desktop Search\*

\Users\**\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Sqm\*
\Users\**\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\*

\Users\**\AppData\Local\Packages\**\LocalState\Bing.Maps\Cache\*
\Users\**\AppData\Local\Packages\**\LocalState\Cache\*
\Users\**\AppData\Local\Packages\**\LocalState\ImageCache\*
\Users\**\AppData\Local\Packages\**\LocalState\NavigationHistory\*
\Users\**\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AC\MicrosoftEdge\User\
Default\DataStore\Data\nouser1\120712-0049\DBStore\
\Users\**\AppData\Local\Packages\**\Settings\roaming.lock
\Users\**\AppData\Local\Packages\**\TempState\*
\Users\**\AppData\Local\Packages\WinStore*\*

\Users\**\AppData\Local\Temp\*
\Users\**\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\*
\Users\**\Cookies\*
\Users\**\Local**\History\*
\Users\**\NetHood\*
\Users\**\PrintHood\*
\Users\**\SendTo\*
\Users\**\Start Menu\*
\Users\**\Temp\*
\Users\**\Temporary Internet Files\*
\Users\**\Temporary\*
\Users\**Pictures\Lightroom\Lightroom*Catalog Previews.lrdata\*
\Users\*\NTUSER.DAT.LOG*
\Users\*\NTUSER.DAT
\Users\All Users\Application Data\*
\Users\All Users\Application Data\Carbonite\Carbonite Backup\*
\Users\Default\*

\Users\Public\Music\Sample Music\*
\Users\Public\Pictures\Sample Pictures\*
\Users\Public\Recorded TV\Sample Media\*
\Users\Public\Videos\Sample Videos\*

\ProgramData\*

\Program Files\**\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\em002_32.dat
\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast*\defs\*
\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast*\defs\*
\Program Files\Carbonite\Carbonite Backup\*
\Program Files\Common Files\McAfee\Engine**\avvscan.dat
\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Clipart\*
\Program Files\Trend Micro\*

File Types Excluded from Backup

The following file types are excluded from your online backup:

  • Files beginning with a "~" character.

The following file extensions are also excluded from your online backup:

.113;

.$$$;

.$DB;

.ABF;

.ABK;

.AFM;

.ANI;

.ANN;

.BAC;

.BAK;

.BCK;

.BCM;

.BDB;

.FFL;

.CUR;

.DEV;

.DFONT;

.DLL;

.DMP;

.DRV;

.DRV;

.DVD;

.EOT;

.EVT;

.EXE;

.FFA;

.FFO;

.FFX;

.FNT;

.FON;

.FTG;

.FTS;

.FXP;

.GID;

.GRP;

.HLP;

.HXI;

.HXQ;

.HXR;

.HXS;

.ICO;

.IDB;

.IDX;

.ILK;

.IMG;

.INF;

.INI;

.INS;

.IPF;

.ISO;

.ISP;

.ITS;

.JAR;

.JSE;

.KBD;

.KEXT;

.KEY;

.LEX;

.LIB;

.LNK;

.LOG;

.LWFN;

.MSC;

.MSI;

.MSM;

.MSP;

.MST;

.NCB;

.NT;

.OBJ;

.OBS;

.OCX;

.OLD;

.OST;

.OTF;

.PCH;

.PF;

.PFA;

.PFB;

.PFM;

.PLIST;

.PNF;

.POL;

.PREF;

.PRF;

.PRG;

.PRN;

.PWL;

.RDB;

.REG;

.REG;

.RLL;

.ROX;

.SBR;

.SCF;

.SCR;

.SDB;

.SHB;

.SUIT;

.SWF;

.SWP;

.SYS;

.THEME;

.TMP;

.TMS;

.TTC;

.TTF;

.V2I;

.VBE;

.VGA;

.VGD;

.VHD;

.VMC;

.VMDK;

.VMSD;

.VMSN;

.VMX;

.VXD;

.WIN;

.WPK;
If your file extension contains a special character (e.g. _, *, etc.), you may not be able to select the file for backup with Carbonite.
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