SyncBackPro backups run on a schedule you set, not when you remember

SyncBackPro is backup software that copies your files to another location — a second hard drive, external drive, or cloud storage. The scheduling feature lets you set a specific day and time for backups to happen automatically, without you opening the program or clicking anything. Once you set the schedule, SyncBackPro runs the backup in the background at that time every day, week, or month, depending on what you choose.

The reason to use scheduling is straightforward: backups only protect you if they actually happen. A schedule removes the guesswork. You set it once, and your files stay current without any action on your part.

Key Takeaways

  • Open SyncBackPro, select the profile (the backup job you want to schedule), and click the Schedule button in the toolbar.
  • Choose how often the backup runs — daily, weekly, or monthly — and pick the specific day and time that works for your computer's routine.
  • Make sure your computer is powered on at the scheduled time, or the backup will skip that cycle and wait for the next one.
  • Test the schedule by checking the backup location after the first scheduled run to confirm files were copied.

Create or select the backup profile you want to schedule

Before you can schedule a backup, you need a profile — that is the set of instructions telling SyncBackPro which files to copy and where to copy them. If you have already set up a backup profile in SyncBackPro, open the program and look at the left side of the window. You will see a list of profiles. Click the one you want to schedule.

If you have not created a profile yet, you need to do that first. In SyncBackPro, click File, then New Profile. Name it something clear like "Daily Documents Backup" or "Weekly Photos." Choose the source folder (the files you want to back up) and the destination (where the copies go). Once you save the profile, it appears in the list on the left side, and you can then schedule it.

Open the Schedule dialog and set the frequency

With your profile selected, look at the toolbar at the top of SyncBackPro. You will see a button labeled Schedule (it often has a clock icon). Click it. A window opens with scheduling options.

At the top of the Schedule window, you will see a dropdown or checkbox that says something like "Enable scheduling" or "Schedule this profile." Make sure it is turned on. Below that, you will see options for how often the backup runs. Choose one:

  • Daily: The backup runs every day at the time you set.
  • Weekly: The backup runs once a week on the day you choose (Monday, Tuesday, etc.) at the time you set.
  • Monthly: The backup runs once a month on the date you choose (the 1st, 15th, etc.) at the time you set.

Pick the frequency that matches how often your files change. If you work on documents every day, daily is safest. If you mainly take photos on weekends, weekly might be enough.

Set the specific day and time

Once you choose the frequency, SyncBackPro shows you fields for the day and time. If you chose daily, you only set the time — for example, 2:00 AM or 9:00 PM. If you chose weekly, you pick the day of the week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and the time. If you chose monthly, you pick the date (the 5th, the 20th) and the time.

Pick a time when your computer is normally on but you are not actively using it. Early morning (like 2:00 AM or 3:00 AM) works well if your computer stays on overnight. If your computer shuts down at night, pick a time during the day when you are not working — lunch time, for example, or right after you finish for the day. SyncBackPro can run a backup while you use your computer, but it will slow things down slightly.

If you are backing up to an external drive or cloud service, make sure that destination is available at the time you choose. For example, if you back up to an external USB drive that you unplug at the end of each day, do not schedule the backup for early morning — the drive will not be connected.

Choose what happens if the computer is off at backup time

SyncBackPro has an option for what to do if your computer is powered off when the scheduled backup time arrives. Look for a setting called "If computer is off" or "Power options." You will usually see two choices:

  • Skip this backup: If the computer is off, the backup does not run. It waits until the next scheduled time.
  • Wake the computer: SyncBackPro wakes your computer from sleep mode to run the backup (this only works if your computer supports wake timers).

For most people, skipping the backup is fine — you will get the next one when the computer is on. If you want to make absolutely sure backups happen even if you forget to leave your computer on, choose the wake option, but test it first to make sure your computer actually wakes up.

Save the schedule and test it

Once you have set the frequency, day, time, and any other options, look for a button labeled OK, explore, or Save at the bottom of the Schedule window. Click it. SyncBackPro saves the schedule and closes the dialog. Your profile now has a schedule attached to it.

The best way to confirm the schedule works is to run the backup manually once, then wait for the first scheduled time and check whether it ran. Open SyncBackPro a few minutes after the scheduled time and look at the profile. You should see a timestamp showing when the last backup ran. Check the backup destination folder to confirm the files are there and are recent. If the backup did not run, check that your computer was on at the scheduled time and that the destination (external drive, cloud folder, etc.) was available.

Adjust the schedule if your routine changes

If you change your work schedule or your computer's routine, you can change the backup schedule anytime. Open SyncBackPro, select the profile, click Schedule again, and change the day or time. The new schedule takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart SyncBackPro or your computer.

If you want to temporarily stop backups without deleting the schedule, you can disable the profile. Right-click the profile name and look for Disable or Pause. The schedule stays saved, but backups do not run until you re-enable it. This is useful if you are traveling and your backup destination is at home, or if you are doing major file reorganization and do not want backups running in the middle of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my computer goes to sleep at the scheduled backup time?

SyncBackPro can wake your computer from sleep mode if you enable that option in the Schedule dialog. If you do not enable it, the backup skips that cycle. To avoid this, either leave your computer on at the scheduled time or set the schedule for a time when you know your computer will be awake.

Can I schedule multiple backups at different times?

Yes. Each profile has its own schedule. Create separate profiles for different backup jobs (one for documents, one for photos, one for videos), then set a different schedule for each. SyncBackPro will run them at their assigned times.

Why did my scheduled backup not run?

The most common reasons are: your computer was off at the scheduled time, the backup destination (external drive, cloud folder) was not available or not connected, or the schedule was not actually enabled. Open the Schedule dialog and confirm the schedule is turned on. Check that your computer was on and the destination was available at the time the backup should have run.

Can I change the backup time without losing my files?

Yes. Changing the schedule does not affect the files that have already been backed up. Open the Schedule dialog, change the time or day, and click OK. The next backup will run at the new time.

What is the best time to schedule a backup?

Pick a time when your computer is on but you are not using it actively — early morning, lunch time, or right after work. Avoid times when you are doing heavy work like video editing or large file transfers, because the backup will slow your computer down. If you back up to an external drive, make sure the drive is connected at that time.