I have my desktop backed up on a MyPassport Ultra. This computer runs Windows Vista Home Premium. I am in the process of setting up a new laptop with Windows 8.1 which I understand about this || much.
What happens when you transfer the contents? I understand that you plug the MyPassport into the laptop and it should direct me how to install what has been backed up. But what will it look like on the new computer? Will the folders be in the same directories? Where will they be stored?
And can someone confirm what will NOT be backed up and transferred? I was told it would be programs that I installed, such as Paint Shop Pro, etc.
Would be very grateful for any assistance 
Hello and welcome to the WD Community.
Since is a new computer, you will need to install the software and restore the files to an specific location on the new computer.
Please see page 49 of the user manual for information on how to retrieve the files
http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/library/UM/ENG/4779-705057.pdf
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For the other part of the question - it will back up (if told to) data such as documents, pictures, music and movies, but it won’t back up programs or OS (Windows) files. Those you would have to re-install on the new machine yourself.
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Thank you both. I’m off this weekend so that will be my major project.
Well! That was so much more painless than I thought, LOL. The transfer went well and I had no problems finding the files, but I apparently have not set the rules for what to copy, right.
I understand from p.46 of the manual, Backing Up Files, that you select what to copy from the drop down menu under the PC/Dropbox icon. In my case that only offers Acer (C:), Data (D:), and MyPassport. I chose Acer (C:), thinking it copies everything on the computer except program files. But it did not copy a specific category (?) named in this image “Working”.
Can you tell me what I’ve done wrong so I can correct it before I lose something? It would be my luck.
Down at the bottom of that screen there’s a button that says “Switch to Category Backup”. Press that and it’ll switch you into that mode, where you select which categories you want to back up (documents, videos, music etc) and it will then do that for the drive you select.
Personally I prefer file backup as it’s more controllable to select which files/folders you want to do (if you select a folder it should do everything in that folder aside from excluded file types, even when you add new files) but it’s a matter of personal taste which mode you use.
I have “switch to file backup” on the Back Up tab page, but no option to change to categories. Is that only on particular models? This is a MyPassport ultra.
If you have the option to “switch to file backup” then you’re already in category mode (the button flips between the two modes, if you press it then it should change to “switch to category backup” or something like that).
In your case I would probably suggest to use file/folder mode, as it’s more flexible. Category mode is designed for general non-technical users, and just backs up the specified file types without much thought, but also without much choice for selection etc.
What I would do is use file/folder mode, and then if you want to back-up the entire C: drive then just select the root of C:, which should the select all the folders within the C: drive and cascade on downward to their sub-folders etc. That will then back up the whole C: drive, subject to the exclusions already mentioned. If there are additional drives or folders that you want to do, just tick those too.
