| Question | Strategies |
|---|---|
| How fast do I need my files? | Downloading many files can take time.
Exactly how much time depends on the total size of the set of files you are
downloading, the speed of your Internet connection, and many other variables.
If your first backup was large and took a long time, it will also take quite
some time to download all those files.
If you need only some of your files urgently, consider choosing them in a separate set. Because that set is likely to be smaller, you should be able to download it faster. You can choose the less urgent files for a later, separate download. |
| How big are the files I need, both in quantity and total size? | If you don't have a fast, reliable Internet connection, it may be difficult to download large sets of files. Consider creating several smaller sets of files instead of one very large set. To stay organized, you could select sets of files based on any criteria that work for you, such as: |
| Can I still use my old computer? | McAfee Online Backup is not a file transfer utility intended to help you migrate to a new computer. If you can still use your old computer, you should move your files manually. If you can no longer use your old computer, you should restore all your files to your new computer before you install the backup software to replace your old computer. For more information, see Replacing a Computer. |
| Does the computer I am restoring to have the same platform or a different platform (Windows versus Mac)? | While it is possible to download to a different platform, you must be prepared to cope with the technical challenges of doing so. |
| Have I already installed the McAfee Online Backup backup software on my replacement computer? |
If you have already installed the backup software on your replacement computer and chosen to replace your old computer, you must restore your files before your grace period ends. For more information, see Replacing a Computer. |
| Do I require file metadata, such as Date Created or Date Modified? |
When you obtain your files through McAfee Online Backup on the Web, metadata is not preserved. If metadata is important, restore those files with the backup software itself. |
The specific delivery methods you can choose are:
| Delivery Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Recommended: Download using the Restore Manager | Lets you install the Restore Manager
to quickly stream large files or sets of files in one or multiple download
sessions, decrypting and uncompressing them. If you lose your connection or
turn off your computer, the Restore Manager will resume where it left
off.
The Restore Manager can put your files into a location you choose, or if this computer has the exact same operating system and folder structure (including user name), it can automatically put your files into their original location. If the files were backed up on a computer with a different folder structure or platform, you can still easily download them with the Restore Manager. However, after downloading, you will need to move the files into suitable locations. For more information, see Where Downloaded or Restored Files Are Saved. Keep in mind that if you are downloading large files or very many files, it will take some time. This is normal. If this is a concern, there are some strategies you can use to have a better experience. |
| Download Compressed Archives | An archive package compresses the files you
selected into a single file, so that it downloads faster. This delivery method
is not recommended if you are not technically proficient.
When the archive package containing your set of files is ready, you are notified that you can download it. If the archive package is small, this is quick. If the archive package is very large, it may take some time before you get your notification. Downloading a large archive package may also take some time. After you have downloaded the archive package, you will need to extract your files from it, then manually put all the files where you want them. If the total size of your selected files is more than 200 GB, consider creating a few smaller sets of files instead of a single large set, or consider a different delivery method. If you choose Download Compressed Archives for a very large set of files, for example 1 TB, you may be notified that it is available in separate downloads, rather than a single very large download. This is done on your behalf, because your wait and download times are shorter for smaller downloads. |