Backups & restore points · Status and problems
What does "Protected" mean on a backup set?
Short answer: Protected means the latest backup finished and passed an integrity check, so it's genuinely restorable — not just uploaded. Checking… appears briefly while that check runs.
It means the most recent backup finished and passed an integrity check. A set is only marked Protected after its latest version has been checked, so the badge means the backup is genuinely restorable — not just uploaded.
Straight after a backup you'll briefly see Checking… while that check runs. If the check finds a problem, the set shows Needs attention instead and tells you what to do.