How to Set Up Automatic Backups in Microsoft Money

Never Forget to Back Up Microsoft Money Again

To set up automatic backups in Microsoft Money:

1. On the Microsoft Money toolbar, click on Tools.

2. Click on Settings, then click Backup settings.

3. You have two backup options to set up: back up every time you close Microsoft Money and Backup Microsoft Money data at schedule intervals. You may disable both, enable both, or use only one option.

   If you enter transactions in Microsoft Money on a daily basis, set the option to back up every time you leave Money. If you enter transactions less frequently, at least set up the scheduled backup option.

Back Up Each Time You Close Money

1. If you want Microsoft Money to back up your data file every time you exit the program, be sure the checkbox next to the first option for backing up on each exit is checked. This option can be selected or deselected by clicking on the box next to it.

2. If you have checked the first box, it is usually best to keep no more than three of the most recent backup files to save on disk space, although you may opt to do it more often if you choose. This option can be set below the first automatic backup option, and you may enter any number from 1 to 99.

3. When you choose to backup each time you exit Microsoft Money, the backup files are normally kept in the My Documents folder on a Windows PC. You may change this file location by using the Browse box to find another folder on your PC, or to save to a CD, DVD or other removable media instead of My Documents.

Back Up Microsoft Money at Scheduled Intervals

1. To enable backing up Money at regular intervals, be sure the checkbox next to the second option is selected. This option can be selected or deselected by clicking on the box next to it.

2. In the ‘Perform Scheduled Backups Every __ Days”, enter at least 7 so that you have at minimum a weekly backup. You may back up more frequently if you wish.

3. Click on Browse next to ‘Save in’ to choose your DVD, floppy, CD or CD-RW drive.

4. Choose Ask Me Before Backup Up and Compress Backup Files by clicking on the checkbox next to each option. These options let Money tell you it’s time for the scheduled backup so you put a CD in the drive, and compressing the backup file means you can fit more files on rewriteable media.

5. Click OK to save your settings.

Notes

When the number of backup files exceeds the number you set, Microsoft Money moves the oldest backup file to the Recycle Bin to save on hard drive space.

Be sure to store the backups you make to CD, DVD, or a floppy disk away from your computer to protect your data in the event of a catastrophe.

Using CD-RW’s for backing up is much more efficient than using a CD since a regular CD can only be written to once. Even if you use a CD instead of a CD-RW, it is worth the few pennies to protect your data.

The file names of automatically created backup files consist of the date and time the backup was created, with the .mbf (Money backup file) extension. For example, the file_2006-01-01_102010.mbf was created on January 1, 2006 at 10:20:10 A.M.