As you start reading the beginning of this article you find yourself wondering why you haven't found this information sooner. You don't realize it yet, but in the next 2 minutes you're going to learn how to use a tool that is free to use and free to download from Microsoft. You will have control over your data like never before. Are you ready to get started?

One of the largest software companies has given us a tool to use to help us backup our data and keep it synchronized. They have even kept it easy to use. It's called Microsoft SyncToy. This tool can keep multiple hard drives in sync which is one method you can backup your data with out having to use any crazy software. Let's get into how to use it.

You will start with the option to choose a left folder and a right folder. These folders represent the data that you want to maintain synchronized or backed up. One way you can look at the "left" and "right" folder are similar to "source" and "destination" but in the following options you will see that the synchronization can take place in both directions.

The next option is to choose between the type of synchronization. Your options are to synchronize, echo, subscribe, contribute, or combine. For this article we are going to focus on "contribute". It is the closest to a backup that we can get using this tool.

The contribute function will allow you to synchronize from left to right any new files, updated files, renames, and but not deletes. This is how you can set up a computer backup system with out having to purchase a software product.

The next step you will be asked to name your folder pair. The reason for this is to keep yourself organized. If you are synchronizing your digital picture backups or your music backups you will be able to recognize what you are doing easily.

Once you have completed your setup you will have the option to perform a preview of the synchronization. The preview will give you just that a description of what will occur on the next run.

The preview will show you the source and target, the operation that will occur, and even the size of the files. You will get a summary of the total data you will be copying and the number of files you will be copying in total.

Once you have completed your preview and verified what will happen you can select the run option and start your synchronization. Depending on how much data you have to copy, if you are copying to a USB drive, or if you are copying across a network will determine how long it takes. Well, the point is that you backup your data and keep yourself safe.

The Microsoft SyncToy is a tool that is free and easy to use. There is no reason that you shouldn't be backing up your files to an alternate location. You get to choose the files that are important to you don't let something crazy like a lightning bolt to decide to delete your files. Protect yourself.

As you read each word in this article have you noticed yet that the fear that overwhelms you is because you haven't backed up your data yet? Get moving to backup your data, if you don't feel the fear then good on you and good thing you backup your data already.