What is Carbonite Safe?
Carbonite Safe is cloud backup software for home computers and small businesses, designed to automatically back up files in the background. This page explains the core concepts in plain terms.
Automatic Cloud Backup
Backs up files to the cloud automatically, without needing to run backups manually.
File & Folder Recovery
Restores individual files or entire folders from a previous backup.
Server Backup Plans
Higher tiers extend backup coverage to small-business servers.
Encryption
Data is typically encrypted during transfer and while stored, helping protect it from unauthorized access.
Recovery
Restores files through a web interface or, in some cases, by requesting a physical drive.
Ransomware Recovery
Offsite backups can help recover files affected by ransomware, separate from the infected local system.
Common setup questions
Install the backup client
Download and install the Carbonite Safe application on the computer you want to protect.
Choose what to back up
Review default backup selections and adjust them if you need to include or exclude specific folders.
Let the initial backup run
The first backup uploads all existing data and can take a while depending on how much data you have.
Verify ongoing backup
Periodically confirm that new and changed files continue to be backed up.
Related troubleshooting topics
Carbonite Safe FAQ
How long does the first backup take?
The initial backup uploads all existing data on the computer, so it can take anywhere from hours to days depending on the amount of data and your internet upload speed.
Is Carbonite Safe available for servers?
Carbonite offers server-oriented plans in addition to standard computer backup; server backup generally involves more configuration than a single-computer plan.
How do I restore files after a computer is lost or replaced?
Most cloud backup tools let you sign in from a new or replacement computer and restore your files through a web interface or dedicated restore process.
Ready to dig deeper?
Read step-by-step guides related to Carbonite Safe.