To pause Carbonite backup, use the control for your operating system and app version: on Windows, open Settings & controls > Backup settings > Pause my backup and choose a duration; on Mac 2.x, choose Pause Your Backup in the Carbonite app. Resume from the same app when you are ready. Legacy Mac 1.x has a different 24-hour pause control.
Pause Carbonite backup on Windows
- Open Carbonite by double-clicking its notification-area icon. If you do not see it beside the clock, click Show hidden icons.
- Open Settings & controls, then select Backup settings.
- Click Pause my backup, select a duration, and click Pause. The available intervals are 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 8 hours, 1 day, and 1 week.
- To resume before the selected time ends, click Resume backing up in the notification, or return to Backup Settings and click Resume my backup now.
While paused, the Carbonite tray icon shows a pause symbol. Carbonite says this stops backup operations but continues scanning for new or changed files; it does not shut down the application. See Carbonite’s Windows pause and resume instructions.
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Pause Carbonite backup on Mac
Mac 2.x
- Click the Carbonite icon in the menu bar.
- Choose Open Carbonite.
- Click Pause Your Backup in the app. To continue, click Resume Your Backup.
Carbonite’s support article for Mac 2.x says backup scheduling is not supported in this version. See Carbonite’s Mac 2.x instructions.
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Legacy Mac 1.x
These directions apply specifically to Mac 1.x, not the Mac 2.x interface. Either choose Pause for 24 hours from the Carbonite lock icon, or open the Carbonite preference pane and set Backup Is to Paused. The backup stays paused for 24 hours unless you re-enable it sooner. To resume manually, set Backup Is to Enabled. Carbonite documents this behavior in its Mac 1.x pause and resume instructions.
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Use a recurring schedule instead of a one-time pause
On Windows, scheduling is a separate option for regular downtime. Carbonite Safe Backup Pro’s schedule settings include choices such as backing up once a day or avoiding specified hours. A scheduled inactive period may not make the Carbonite icon display the pause symbol, so check the app’s status rather than relying on that icon alone. For the available scheduling controls, see Carbonite’s Windows scheduling instructions.
When not to use Recover Mode
Recover Mode is not Carbonite’s ordinary pause control. Carbonite describes it as a way to stop the deletion timer while restoring files. To temporarily stop routine backup activity, use the platform-specific pause steps above; Carbonite’s support search for “pause” includes its related help topics.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
If the controls do not match
Carbonite’s instructions are version-specific. Check whether you are using Windows, Mac 2.x, or legacy Mac 1.x, then follow the matching section. If the app’s labels differ from those shown here, consult Carbonite support for the installed version rather than applying legacy steps to a newer interface.
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