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BizBinder Desktop · Backup & Restore Guide

New to computers? That’s okay. BizBinder was designed for small business owners, not IT professionals. Our guides use simple language and step-by-step instructions.

This page covers three things: how to make a backup, how to restore one, and the questions we hear most often. Take it one step at a time — you do not need any special technical knowledge to keep your business records safe.

1. Simple Backup Guide

A backup is simply a second copy of your BizBinder records, kept somewhere other than your main computer. If your computer is ever lost, stolen, damaged, or replaced, that second copy lets you get everything back.

What is a USB drive?

A USB drive (also called a flash drive, thumb drive, or memory stick) is a small device, about the size of a thumb, that plugs into a rectangular USB port on your computer. It stores files and is easy to carry. They are inexpensive and perfect for keeping a quick backup you can tuck into a drawer or take with you.

What is an external hard drive?

An external hard drive is a larger storage device — usually about the size of a small book or a deck of cards — that connects to your computer with a cable. It holds much more than a USB drive, which makes it a good choice if you have many receipts, documents, and photos. It sits on your desk and is meant to stay in one safe place.

Why backing up outside your main computer matters

Computers can fail, get lost, be stolen, or simply need replacing one day. If your only copy of your records lives on that one computer, a single problem could mean losing everything. Keeping at least one backup on a separate device — a USB drive or external hard drive that is not inside your computer — means your business records are never tied to a single machine. If anything happens, your records come right back.

How to create a backup (step by step)

Plug in your USB drive or external hard drive to your computer.
Open the backup option in BizBinder (look for Backup in the app).
Choose the backup location — select your USB drive, external hard drive, or another folder where you want the copy saved.
Save the backup and wait for BizBinder to finish.
Safely eject the drive before unplugging it, so the files are not damaged. (On Windows, click the small USB icon near the clock and choose Eject.)

The steps above describe a manual backup — you start it yourself and choose where it’s saved. BizBinder also offers an automatic backup option: once turned on, it runs by itself on the schedule you set, saving each backup to the destination you previously selected.

Practical examples

USB drive: Plug in your flash drive, run a BizBinder backup to it, eject it, and keep it somewhere safe — for example, a locked drawer at home. Quick, cheap, and easy to store away from your computer.
External hard drive: Connect your external drive, back up to it, and store it in a different room or location from your computer. A great option when you have a lot of receipts, scans, and documents.
Another safe folder: You can also save a backup to a different folder on your computer or a connected network drive. This is convenient, but remember it does not protect you if the whole computer fails — so try to also keep one copy on a separate device.
Cloud-synced folder (OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive for Desktop): If you already use one of these services, you can choose a folder inside it as your backup location. BizBinder saves the backup file to that folder on your computer, and the cloud app takes care of syncing it to your account.

A simple habit: keep at least one backup outside your main computer, and make a fresh backup on a regular schedule. It only takes a minute and gives you real peace of mind.

2. How to Restore a Backup

Restoring means bringing a saved backup back into BizBinder — for example, after a computer problem or when setting up a new computer.

Before you restore

Restoring a backup may replace your current BizBinder records with the records stored in the backup file.

If you already have records on this computer, create one more backup first. This gives you a safe copy of your current data in case you need to return to it later.

Restore in simple steps

Plug in the USB drive or external hard drive that has your backup (or open the folder where you saved it).
Open BizBinder on the computer you want to use.
Open the restore option in the app.
Choose your backup from the drive or folder.
Confirm the restore and let BizBinder bring your records back.

Moving BizBinder to a new computer

Switching to a new computer is easy when you have a backup:

On your old computer, create a backup to a USB drive or external hard drive (see the Simple Backup Guide above).
Safely eject the drive and plug it into your new computer.
Download and install BizBinder on the new computer from getbizbinder.com.
Open BizBinder and restore your backup from the drive.

That’s it — your records will be on the new computer, exactly as you left them.

3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will my files stay on my computer?

Yes. BizBinder keeps your business records, receipts, documents, and backups on your own computer or the folder you choose. Your files stay with you.

Is BizBinder cloud-based?

No. BizBinder is a local desktop app. It does not require cloud sync for your business records, and your records are not stored on BizBinder servers.

Can I back up to a USB drive?

Yes. You can save a backup to a USB flash drive in just a few clicks — no technical setup required.

Can I use an external hard drive?

Yes. You can back up to an external hard drive, another folder, or another safe location. An external hard drive is a good choice when you have a lot of files.

Does BizBinder support cloud backup?

BizBinder does not connect directly to cloud accounts. However, you can select a folder inside OneDrive, Dropbox, or Google Drive for Desktop as your backup location. BizBinder saves the backup locally, and the cloud-drive application handles synchronization.

What happens if my computer crashes?

If you have a backup saved on a separate device, you can restore your records onto a repaired or new computer. This is exactly why we recommend keeping at least one backup outside your main computer.

How often should I create backups?

Whatever you can keep up with consistently. A good habit is once a week, and also right after you add a lot of new receipts or documents. Frequent backups mean less to re-enter if something goes wrong.

Can I move BizBinder to a new computer?

Yes. Create a backup on your old computer, install BizBinder on the new one, and restore your backup. See “Moving BizBinder to a new computer” above for the steps.

Is my data encrypted?

BizBinder includes an optional encrypted Business Vault for sensitive documents, plus an app lock you can turn on. Your files stay on your own device, under your control.

Do I need a subscription?

BizBinder includes a 1-month free trial so you can try it first. A simple annual license is planned — see the pricing section on our home page for details.

Can my CPA use exported files?

Yes. BizBinder can export organized CSV files you can hand off to your CPA or tax preparer at tax-prep time.

Still have a question? Email support@getbizbinder.com and we will be happy to help.

BizBinder is a registered trade name.