You should regularly review which files are selected to ensure that files you value the most are backed up, and also to ensure that files are not inadvertently selected and consuming storage space. If you rely on automatic selections to back up certain types of files or if you have selected entire folders, it is possible to inadvertently back up files.
To use less space, consider deselecting these files from your backups.
| Files | Description |
|---|---|
| Program or application files | Installed program or application files should not be selected because they cannot typically be restored; programs and applications need to be installed. However, some programs create special files that store your data or settings, such as bookmark files for a Web browser. You should select such files because they can be restored and then used by the programs which interact with them. |
| Installer files | If you can download files which install programs and applications, or if still have the original installation CDs or DVDs, you do not need to back up installer or setup files. Only back them up if you know you cannot obtain them by any other means. |
| Files obtained from DVD or CD | If you still have the original CDs or DVDs, you may not need to back up media files such as music or movies. |
| Files obtainable from other locations | If you have collected files from different locations that you can get again without much trouble, such as PDFs or pictures from Web sites, you might not want to back them up, especially if they are very large. |