What files should I backup regularly and how do I recover Steganos on a fresh installed Windows?

You should backup all Safe-Files, your pinlist from PasswordManager and all other encrypted files with the file-extension *.sef (created with Steganos FileManager).

By default all Steganos products are saving their relevant files to this location:

Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Application Data\Steganos *\
Windows VISTA: C:\USERS\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Steganos\
Windows 98/ME: C:\Windows\Application Data\Steganos *\

Before you can access these files you may unhide the hidden system files from Windows first (Windows Explorer => Tools => Folderoptions => View => [advanced settings -> check => show hidden files and folders and / uncheck => hide protected operating system files]. Confirm with OK and wait a second while Windows Explorer updates the screen.

In order to recover the Safes or Password Manager on a newly installed Windows, just copy the files back to same location from where you've backuped them. Steganos Password Manager will 'find' the encrypted pinlist automatically if you use same default location. If not, just create new 'empty' pinlist by running a new PasswordManager and replace this dummy with your copy.

Only the Safes needs a 'helping' hand. After you've copied files back to your Windows, run Steganos Safe and click on create a new secure hard drive. In the dialog that asks you whether you want to create a new Safe or use an existing one plese select use an existing safe and refer to the *.sle file. The safe name you have to enter is just "cosmetic", of course you may use the same name as before.

Last update: 2007-11-15 21:42
Author: Ruediger Holdmann
Revision: 1.154