* Backup settings plug-in: when to use

[BobB]

I've followed a number of threads on the forum and am left a bit confused - can someone help me? I'm running v6.2 under Windows 10.
It seems good practice to run the Backup settings plug-in, but is there a recommendation as to how often to do this? I do a "large" backup from FH every time I update my projects.
Also the Big Red Warning page seems to imply that the Windows registry should also be regularly backed up. I'm sorry if this is basic stuff but I haven't figured out how to do this.
All advice gratefully received!

[jbtapscott]

I am sure everyone will have different answers to the "frequency" question, but for me, I run it once a week. At the same time I also run a "Small Backup" - output from both these actions goes in to a "Backup" folder in my "Documents" folder (the "Documents" folder also holds my Family Historiorian projects ). The "Documents" folder (with all sub-folders) and the FH related "\Program Data\..." folder gets backed up to the "cloud" on a daily basis and also backed up a few times a week to a second "old" PC I have in the house. There is obviously duplication here but I consider "more is better"!!)

The Plugin also includes backup of relevant Registry entries, the ....\Program Data\ data folders and other key stuff - see the relevant Help page ("Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings - Backup Tab") for complete details of what is backed up.

[tatewise]

How often backups should be created is similar to the how long is a piece of string question.
It all depends on how often you change what is being backed up.
If you change your Project facts or media daily, then you need daily Project backups.
If you change your preference & customisation settings weekly, then run the Backup and Restore FH Settings Plugin weekly, or whenever you make significant preference or customisation settings changes.
Most important is that those backups must be stored in media external to your PC.

The red warnings are intended to make you think about the Windows Registry.
The Plugin BACKUPS do NOT write to the Windows Registry only the RESTORE mode does that.
The Windows Registry is automatically saved in Windows System Restore Points providing they are enabled, but beware that Windows 10 may disable System Restore, see glossary:windows_10_upgrade_tips#post-upgrade_tips|> Windows 10 Upgrade Tips > Post-Upgrade Tips.

[BobB]

Thanks. That's more or less what I thought but makes me feel more confident I understand what's going on. I'm not a power user so I think my existing backup regime is probably adequate if I add in a regular run of the plug-in.