{"id":"backups.what-are-the-backup-modes","url":"/faq/backups/what-are-the-backup-modes","category":{"id":"backups","title":"Backups & restore points"},"subcategory":{"id":"scheduling","title":"When backups run"},"question":"What's the difference between \"As things change\", \"On a schedule\" and \"Only when I ask\"?","alt_questions":["backup modes explained","Which backup mode should I pick?","As things change vs schedule","manual only backup mode","When to back up options"],"short_answer":"As things change backs up shortly after each edit (the default); On a schedule runs at times you pick; Only when I ask waits for Back up now. Change it with Change… on the set's card.","answer_markdown":"They decide what starts a backup for that set:\n\n- **As things change** — the default. Backs up shortly after you change something. Best for documents and work in progress.\n- **On a schedule** — backs up at the times you choose. Good for large, rarely changed folders, or for anyone who wants backups to happen overnight.\n- **Only when I ask** — nothing happens until you press **Back up now**. Useful for an archive you update once in a while.\n\nChange the mode with **Change…** on the set's card. Whatever the mode, **Back up now** always works.","answer_html":"

They decide what starts a backup for that set:

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Change the mode with Change… on the set's card. Whatever the mode, Back up now always works.

","answer_text":"They decide what starts a backup for that set:\n\n- As things change — the default. Backs up shortly after you change something. Best for documents and work in progress.\n- On a schedule — backs up at the times you choose. Good for large, rarely changed folders, or for anyone who wants backups to happen overnight.\n- Only when I ask — nothing happens until you press Back up now. Useful for an archive you update once in a while.\n\nChange the mode with Change… on the set's card. Whatever the mode, Back up now always works.","tags":["schedule","modes","manual"],"related":[{"id":"backups.how-do-i-schedule-a-backup","question":"How do I schedule a backup for a specific time?","url":"/faq/backups/how-do-i-schedule-a-backup"},{"id":"backups.what-does-also-make-one-version-a-day-do","question":"What does \"Also make one version a day\" do?","url":"/faq/backups/what-does-also-make-one-version-a-day-do"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"What's the difference between \"As things change\", \"On a schedule\" and \"Only when I ask\"? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"As things change backs up shortly after each edit (the default); On a schedule runs at times you pick; Only when I ask waits for Back up now. Change it with Change… on the set's card.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Backups & restore points","path":"/faq/backups/"},{"name":"What's the difference between \"As things change\", \"On a schedule\" and \"Only when I ask\"?","path":"/faq/backups/what-are-the-backup-modes"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/what-are-the-backup-modes","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What's the difference between \"As things change\", \"On a schedule\" and \"Only when I ask\"?","alternateName":["backup modes explained","Which backup mode should I pick?","As things change vs schedule","manual only backup mode","When to back up options"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"They decide what starts a backup for that set:\n\n- As things change — the default. Backs up shortly after you change something. Best for documents and work in progress.\n- On a schedule — backs up at the times you choose. Good for large, rarely changed folders, or for anyone who wants backups to happen overnight.\n- Only when I ask — nothing happens until you press Back up now. Useful for an archive you update once in a while.\n\nChange the mode with Change… on the set's card. Whatever the mode, Back up now always works.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/what-are-the-backup-modes"}}]},"fragment":"
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Backups & restore points · When backups run

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What's the difference between "As things change", "On a schedule" and "Only when I ask"?

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Short answer: As things change backs up shortly after each edit (the default); On a schedule runs at times you pick; Only when I ask waits for Back up now. Change it with Change… on the set's card.

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They decide what starts a backup for that set:

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  • As things change — the default. Backs up shortly after you change something. Best for documents and work in progress.
  • On a schedule — backs up at the times you choose. Good for large, rarely changed folders, or for anyone who wants backups to happen overnight.
  • Only when I ask — nothing happens until you press Back up now. Useful for an archive you update once in a while.
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Change the mode with Change… on the set's card. Whatever the mode, Back up now always works.

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Last reviewed

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Related questions

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