MLS 2026 Installation and System Setup > System Information Setup > Setup Values

MLS 2026 automatically creates backup archives of your data files each evening through the Auto Updater service. By default, these backup files are stored on the server in the:

MLS2026s\AutoBkUp\

folder.

While this is convenient, it does not fully protect your data. If the primary drive in the server fails, both the working data and the backups stored on that same drive may be lost.

Recommended Backup Strategy

MasterLink Software strongly recommends using an external USB drive dedicated to backups.

Modern USB drives are:

•Inexpensive

•Fast

•Reliable

•Easy to install

•Usually powered directly from the USB connection

Simply connect the external drive to an available USB port on the server computer.

Setting the Backup Location

After connecting the drive:

1.Open Windows File Explorer

2.Locate the new drive letter assigned by Windows

3.(Optional) Create a folder specifically for MLS backups

4.Open:

Tools → Setup → Backup Drive

5.Enter the desired path

Example

If:

•Windows assigns the drive letter E:

•You create a folder named MLS2026Backup

then your backup path would be:

E:\MLS2026Backup\

The Auto Updater will then automatically place nightly backup archives into that folder.

Why External Backups Matter

External backups help protect against:

•Hard drive failures

•Windows corruption

•Malware or ransomware

•Accidental deletions

•Hardware replacement situations

A properly configured external backup can save many years of valuable business information.

Additional Recommendations

For maximum protection:

•Leave the backup drive connected at all times

•Verify backups are being created successfully

•Periodically test restoring backup files

•Replace aging backup drives before failure occurs

•Consider rotating backup drives offsite periodically

Remember:

A backup only matters if it can actually be restored when needed.