every time I save something from the internet to my computer it lands in the Download file. From there I unzip and move the files that I want to keep to their destination folders. The unwanted files are then deleted. Personally for me it didn't work out so well using a USB as a permanent storage. Something happened and the USB quit working and I lost all of those designs but having a portable hard drive to save your stuff on is a great backup. If you are trying to clean up your computer, having one on the computer and one on the backup s/b sufficient. Designs don't use much space so keeping them zipped never made sense to me as I would have to unzip them every time I wanted to look at them.

Well done that is always a big job.

The last time I copied files and folders to my portable hard drive (many hours worth) there were numerous files missing once I went through and checked them later. I would be hesitant myself to actually delete them from my pc without making yet another back up. I personally don't rely on USB's for saving files as I had too many just stop working for no reason.

The whole point of making a back up is that you have everything in another place. That other place could fail just as easily as your PC. In fact, my experience is that an external hard drive is more likely to fail than my PC.

I back-up on my Toshiba portable hard drive and on CDs. But I lost some files the first try and now I make sure all have been transferred successfully before deleting. I do keep some files on my computer. I download and unzip them directly into the folders on the desk-top. I really don't think they take up too much space.
I too am also learning all the time.

Good luck
HUGS

I have an external hard drive for all my computers that I backup to. I also have a couple of USB sticks that have tons of memory that I use for various reasons. I used to have an old computer that I kept around just for storing my embroidery...I'm a little compulsive...

The think that you do have to be careful when moving files. After I move something, I check to see that the files and folders that I copied are the same size. If they are not the same size I know that they did not copy everything.

You do this by right clicking on the old and the new folder and selecting Properties. After "Contains" it will give you the number of flies and folders that were copied. It should be the same number in the old one as in the new one. I do not delete the original until they are copied and complete. If it is a really big folder, I copy it in parts so it is easier to check the files. I usually work in groups of 30 as that amount is personally eaiser for me to handle.

If they are not the same size, I can either hunt for the missing files/folder or simply copy/paste it all over again. I find it easier to just copy/paste all over again. I don't worry about the MB matching.

This post is from peafarm. It was accidentally placed outside this post. To keep the information from being orphaned, I have copied and pasted it here:
by peafarm 13m ago+2
Hi Toogie-my husband instructs me on this stuff and here is what sticks: My computer that is hooked to internet has a designated place set in setting to open upon downloading so I date that download folder and everything goes to it with name of digitizer, store I get from etc. When I am ready to file in my list that keeps me organized I don't depend on my auto-antivirus so I also do another check with another program [as virus updates can't keep up with the goofballs of the world]. I then download all to a usb stick to transfer those to my other computer I keep strictly for design work/files in a folder I have labeled 'Downloads'. I open them in my program like BuzzXplore or whatever viewing program you have and see what the set or design is and any info that comes with it. I, then, save that to my organized folders. I delete all files and picture graphics that I simply can not use ie: I save either .hus or .vip and also .pes for which I can use both. I also save instructions, documents and usually turn any graphic into a jpeg or keep only the jpeg. No need for all the other formats--save only what you can use--in case I ever get a cutting machine I also started saving the .svg files and label them as Cuttable Files. Each time I am finished with a group of downloads and know I've put them in my Organized design file permanently I back them up on my External Drive---I also will back up on a larger USB I have one full and start another putting a label in with the bag I keep it in with dates. I used to use CD's but now usb are so much more convenient. I also keep a set down in our barn in case of house fire or the 'what ifs'. Too much time and money into all that to lose them. As my husband says--all electronics go bad--never depend on just one or maybe just 2. I recently bought 2 thumb drives on sale--a very good and dependable name. I had trouble with the first one--freezing up my computer and sometimes taking forever to even open it. After I got the files off that one I gave it to my husband and he said 'nope' it is bad--he took a hammer to it. I got the other out--formatted it to what he says I should-NTFS-and worked with it for a while and same thing--I told him take it, don't want to fool with it. I think he hammered that one also. The larger the GB's the slower they seem but for storage I'd rather keep the files on them. My external is almost full but he has another for me when he needs to set it up. Just unzip all your files and delete all the formats you do not need. Over time they do take up so much of your space. Like others have said--when you unzip, move or copy your files to your permanent storage--do the property check and make sure all files and folders match. If they do, then you can delete. If they don't, then you have to go thru each folder to check if number of designs are matching or did you miss one or did the transfer miss one. I, too, am over protective but this stuff is too expensive and the designs just too lovely, whimsical and cute to lose. PeaFarm