Back Up on a Schedule

If you don't want your computer to back up automatically, based on usage thresholds, you can set McAfee Online Backup to back up on a schedule. For example, you might want your computer to back up during your lunch hour, or at a specific time at night, or once a week on a specific day. You can also back up manually and automatically. For more information, see Back Up Manually and Back Up Automatically.

If you cannot change this setting and you use Windows, you may be able to resolve this issue yourself. For more information, see If Settings Are Greyed Out in the McAfee Online Backup Backup Software for Windows. You may not be able to change this setting if your account administrator is managing it for you.

Choose one of the following options:
- (Windows 8) On the Start screen, click the McAfee Online Backup Settings tile.
- (Windows 7 or earlier) Right-click the McAfee Online Backup icon in the notification area, then select Settings > More Settings. For more information, see Open the Backup Software on Windows through the Notification Area.
Choose one of the following options:
- (Windows) Click Options, then click the Scheduling tab.
Choose to back up on a schedule.
- (Windows) Select Scheduled (Perform backups within 15 minutes of the chosen time).
Select when and how often you want your backups to happen.
- (Windows) Select either Daily or Weekly, then set the approximate time of the day you want to back up your computer. If you selected Daily, select how often to back up. Every day is most often, and every seven days is least often. If you selected Weekly, you must also select the day of the week you want the backup to run, then how often to back up. Every week is most often, and every seven weeks is least often.
(Windows) (Optional) Choose whether to select When a scheduled backup is missed, allow an automatic backup. When a scheduled backup is missed, this option automatically backs up when computer usage thresholds permit, rather than waiting until the next scheduled backup. This is useful when your computer is not running or has no Internet connection during the time scheduled for backup, such as when you are traveling.

(Windows) (Optional) Set the following options:

Attempt automatic backup even when a network connection is not detected	Backups are attempted regardless of whether a network connection is detected. Use this if your network connection is unreliable.
Start automatic backups when the computer is running on battery power	Backups will start even when your computer is running on battery power.

(Windows) Click OK. Your changes are saved and the Settings window closes.

Backups cannot happen unless your computer is turned on and connected to the Internet and not in hibernation, sleep, or standby mode.