If you maintain a backup of all your files on an external storage media (hard drive, USB etc) and each time you have to update the back up it takes hours before the "copy"ing is over and you are sick of it, then this post is for you.
In the days of Windows 2000 you must have noticed an icon on your desktop "My Briefcase", which you probably never used and therefore microsoft decided to remove it (atleast from the desktop). This feature is actually is very helpful in maintaining and reducing the time for back up.
In the days of Windows 2000 you must have noticed an icon on your desktop "My Briefcase", which you probably never used and therefore microsoft decided to remove it (atleast from the desktop). This feature is actually is very helpful in maintaining and reducing the time for back up.
All you need to do is connect your external storage media to the computer > open the Hard Drive Folder > File > New > Briefcase and a Brief case icon will get created in your External Storage Media.
Now go to the folder on your computer which needs backing up and simply drag and drop it into this Briefcase icon. First time it will take a little while for the folder to copy, since all the files and folders are being copied for the first time. This way you can drag and drop all the folders you need to back up seperately or may be drag and drop your entire internal drive.
After several days (depending upon you usage), when you feel the need to update your back up, simply connect the external storage media to your computer and double click on the brief case and the briefcase will immidiately determine which of your folders needs updating, by comparing it with the original files on the computer and the same will be visible as status in front of the folder names in the briefcase. Now all you need to do is select the folder you want to update and click on "update this item" under "briefcase tasks" on the task menu (left coloumn) of the briefcase. The briefcase will display the changes required and update the back up after confirmation from you. That's it...
The following points need to be noted:
1) Any deletion of files/folders in the original folder will be deleted in the back up
2) Any changes made in the files will be made in the backed up files as well
3) Simmilarly any changes made in the back up files/folders in the briefcase, through some other computer, such as editing or deletion will get replicated in the original folder.
So, basically briefcase feature synchronizes your files and folders with the backup instead of copying it all over again, hence saving time.
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