Check Your Welcome Email
After signing up, you'll receive a welcome email from us containing:
- Your username (format: gbb_yourname_1234)
- Your temporary password
- Links to download the backup software
Download the Backup Software
Download the app for your device. Our backup software supports all major platforms:
Sign In to the App
Open the backup software after installation and sign in using:
- Email: The email address you signed up with
- Password: The temporary password from your welcome email
Choose What to Back Up
The software will ask you to select which files and folders to protect. We recommend:
- Documents — Word files, spreadsheets, PDFs
- Photos — Your photo library and camera roll
- Desktop — Files saved to your desktop
- Downloads — Important downloaded files
- Music & Video — Media files (if storage allows)
Your First Backup Begins
Once you've selected your files, the initial backup will start automatically. Here's what to expect:
- The first backup may take several hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed
- The software runs in the background — you can keep using your computer normally
- A small icon in your system tray/menu bar shows backup progress
- After the initial backup, only new and changed files are uploaded (much faster)
Access Your Files Anywhere
Once backed up, you can access your files from any device:
- Desktop app: Browse and restore files directly
- Mobile app: View and download files on your phone/tablet
- Web portal: Access via files.livedrive.com from any browser
Restoring Files
If you ever need to recover files:
- Open the backup software and click "Restore"
- Browse to the file or folder you need
- Select the version you want (we keep previous versions)
- Click "Restore" and choose where to save it
You can restore individual files, entire folders, or your complete backup to a new computer.
Common Questions
It depends on how much data you're backing up and your upload speed. As a guide: 10GB takes about 2-4 hours on a typical broadband connection. The software backs up in the background so you can keep working.
No. The software is designed to be lightweight and uses minimal system resources. It automatically throttles when you're actively using your computer and backs up more aggressively when the computer is idle.
You'll receive an email reminder before your trial expires. If you choose to continue, your chosen plan will activate at the advertised price. If not, your account will be paused but your data will be retained for 30 days in case you change your mind.
Yes, on the Professional and Unlimited plans. Connect your external drive, open the backup software, and add it as a backup source. The drive needs to be connected for backups to run.
Contact us at support@gbonline.co.uk and we'll resend your credentials. For security, we'll verify your identity via the email address on your account.