Backup logs contain logged information about backups. A log will contain information such as when a backup was performed, how long it took, what backup media were used, the number of files backed up, which files were backed up, and for the important part of the log, which files were mote backed up or resulted in some type of error.

It is very important to keep backup logs. You should even print them out to keep a hard-copy record of all backups. Keeping a record of your backups can allow you to determine when a file was last backed up and possibly why it was not backed up since then, if there were problems.

Once data files are lost or corrupted, they need to be copied from the backup media to the source location so that the data can be accessed again. Just copying files from the backup media to the source location is not the means by which to restore all files or even some files of a backup. Because some files are part of the operating system and also part of programs, special case must be given to the restore so that the operating system or program can function again. Depending on the type of backup performed and the files to be restored, the restore process will vary.

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