You need to backup only your core data files. These are the documents, email, photo's, Quicken user files, etc. There is no reason to backup all the files on your computer. It would take a lot more time and be much more expensive. You already have the CD's for the Operating System and all of your applications like Word or Excel. If you have a computer crash, you can restore your computer and programs to their original condition from the CD's. You then restore your data files, and you are back in business with nothing lost.