GSheats

Q: AirPort Time Capsule Configuration for Desktop?

I have an AirPort Time Capsule that I use for wireless connectivity and backing up my MacBook Pro.  I have a desktop PC plugged into the Time Capsule for accessing the internet for the PC.  Is there a way to configure backups of the PC to the Time Capsule?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on May 16, 2016 11:11 AM

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Q: AirPort Time Capsule Configuration for Desktop?

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  • by K Shaffer,Helpful

    K Shaffer K Shaffer May 16, 2016 12:45 PM in response to GSheats
    Level 6 (14,234 points)
    Desktops
    May 16, 2016 12:45 PM in response to GSheats

    Usually the Time Capsule's storage drive is formatted for use with OS X.

     

    Since the older Time Capsule (Time Machine backups) are over-written

    by the software as they go outdated or when storage space is lacking, a

    Windows file backup on the same unit would not be a good idea.

     

    If the 'PC' only implies a desktop computer running OS X, then it would

    be able to make backups of the other Mac via Time Machine software

    and the total capacity of the Time Capsule device would be lessened by

    the addition of this other machine's demands for backup time capacity.

     

    How large is the Time Capsule storage? I'd look to a separate device for

    backup of a Windows system; however if a Mac is running Windows, it

    may be possible to configure something to backup its OS, to other drives.

     

    Here's an older but good source for some information about the OS X

    and Time Machine (plus time capsule)

     

    • Apple OS X and Time Machine Tips:

    http://pondini.org/OSX/Home.html

     

    Perhaps someone who has configured a workaround for Windows backup

    (separate drive, perhaps plugged into Time Capsule/AirPort extreme?)

    may reply; as there are a tremendously helpful contributors in this area.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons May 16, 2016 12:45 PM in response to GSheats
    Level 10 (104,884 points)
    Wireless
    May 16, 2016 12:45 PM in response to GSheats
      Is there a way to configure backups of the PC to the Time Capsule?

    In theory, yes. In practice, it would not be recommended.

     

    First, you have to remember that the Time Capsule is a network drive.....and most PC backup programs.....including the software built into Windows....will not back up to a network drive. 

     

    So, the simplest solution.....which is also almost always the most reliable solution.....would be to purchase a USB drive and connect it to the PC and use the standard program built into Windows to back up the PC to the USB drive.  It will be easy to hide the drive behind the desktop if you are concerned about physical appearance.

     

    If you really do want to do things the hard way.....and don't mind some pain....then you will need a Windows application like Macrium Reflect or Genie Timeline Pro installed on the PC to be able to back up to the Time Capsule.


    Genie Timeline Pro is similar to Apple's Time Machine in that it will create a history of backups and allow you to go back in time to pick up a specific file that might have been deleted by mistake. It ain't cheap, but it's a good product.  Macrium Reflect is a good basic back up program for a reasonable price.  There are others as well, just be sure that the program will back up to a network drive.