Use your iPod to Backup PC Files

As iPods become more popular, people are finding out that they can be used for much more than simply listening to music files. One of the more popular secondary uses for an iPod is as a backup storage device for PC files. The large capacity of today’s iPods makes this possible.

If you have sensitive or business-critical files, one advantage of using your iPod for data backups is that very few people would think to look for it on your iPod. While it still plays your music files, creating a separate file for data storage on your iPod makes it difficult for someone else to recognize the information. In addition, it is possible to password protect that file. Be careful with that though. If you forget the password, the information is lost.

Using your iPod for data backup storage, you can transfer digital files between various computer systems and store sensitive information on your iPod unit instead of on your computer’s hard drive. You can also store backup files. Organizing your pc data files is almost as simple as organizing your MP3’s on your iPod.

Files Aren’t Visible in iTunes

The file area where your music files are stored won’t be visible in Windows Explorer (unless you’ve changed your Explorer settings) and your data files are not shown in iTunes or on your iPod, which helps to keep the two types of files separate. Be careful if you are able to see your music files to not corrupt anything in those folders.

There are other helpful ways to use your iPod for data storage. By saving text files to the notes folder, you can have access to such things as shopping lists, contact information and directions for when you are traveling. These files are then accessible from the iPod menu system.

Once you have connected your iPod to your computer, you can search for removable media to display the files on your iPod. In order to use your iPod for file storage, you simply drag and drop the files you want to copy to the iPod drive.

One thing to keep in mind is that storing large files on your iPod device may limit the amount of music you can store. Today’s iPods have larger and larger capacity, so this is becoming less of a consideration. With a little planning, you should have plenty of space for your pc backup files and still be able to listen to many hours of music on your iPod.