Use the Code42 app on a device with limited resources

Overview

A great backup is one you don't notice until you need it. By default, the Code42 app has limits in place to keep it running silently, without using too many system resources. A Code42 app may cause noticeable slowdowns, however, if a device has limited resources or also runs high-demand applications, such as:

Computer-aided design (CAD) software
Animation software
Video editing software

To reduce the amount of system resources used by the Code42 app, follow the recommendations in this article.

Considerations

Even under ideal conditions, the initial backup process that starts immediately after you install the Code42 app can take days or even a month or more, depending on your upload speed and the total size of the files. It's best to wait until after the initial backup completes before reducing the Code42 app's system usage

Less backup means more risk
Understand the disadvantages of reducing the amount of system resources required by the Code42 app. After you take the steps below, your Code42 app will:

Take longer to back up your data.
Back up new data less often.
Capture fewer versions of your data.

For example, if you only back up nightly, then you can never recover today's changes; you can only restore yesterday's file versions.

Steps

Change usage settings

Increase the time before the Code42 app shifts to "user is away" mode, and lower the client's CPU demand when the user is present. These settings only apply to Mac and Windows devices.

Open the Code42 app.
Navigate to Device Preferences:

Select Usage.
Next to User is away when not active for, increase the minutes. Start at 30 minutes.
Next to When user is present, decrease the percentage of CPU that the Code42 app is allowed to use. Start at 20%.
Learn more about how the Code42 app detects away and present settings.

CPU settings for when user is away
If other applications run while you are away, you might want to also decrease CPU usage when a user is away to 20%.

Adjust your backup schedule

You can schedule your Code42 app to back up during specific days and times when you aren't using other resources on the device, such as overnight.

Open the Code42 app.
Navigate to backup set settings:

Next to Backup Schedule, click Change.
Note: Your administrator may prevent editing the backup schedule settings.
Select Only run between specified times and set a start and end time for your backup window.
Click Save.

Make sure your device is on during scheduled backup
Optimize the energy settings of the device to make sure it's not asleep during the scheduled backup. If the device is not on and awake, the Code42 app cannot back up files.

Backup Schedule settings

Reduce backup frequency

The Code42 app monitors changes to files in real time based on your backup frequency and version settings. Your Code42 app uses fewer system resources if you set it to back up less frequently and retain fewer versions.

External resources

Wikipedia: Processor affinity