A copy you can actually open

Why saving something should end with a check.

A “copy complete” message answers only part of the question. You also need to know where the files are and whether you will be able to use them later.

Decide what matters

Start with things that would be difficult to recreate: your writing, photographs, and project materials. Temporary files should not make important documents harder to find.

Try restoring a few files

From time to time, open several files from a copy in a separate folder. Check that the contents are readable and the folder structure still makes sense.

Write down the steps

A short explanation of where copies are stored and how to use them can save time later. Keep it somewhere other than the one device it is meant to help you recover.