Documentation

Everything you need, nothing you don't.

How to install, configure, and operate VaultGuard Backup.

Documentation written by the person who built the software. If something isn't covered here, email me and I'll either answer directly or update the docs so the next person finds the answer faster.

This is the table of contents. Each section below is a topic — most are real articles you can read now; some are stubs I'll fill in as customers ask about them.

VaultGuard documentation grows with the product. If you find a gap, it's probably not because the question wasn't worth answering — it's because nobody's asked it yet. Email me and we'll fix it together.

Getting Started

The basics. Most VaultGuard users only need the articles in this section.

[Installation guide] Download VaultGuard, verify the signed binary, and run the .exe for the first time. Covers the SmartScreen warning you might see during the first weeks of release.

[First-launch checklist] The Getting Started tab walks you through five steps the first time you launch VaultGuard. This article expands on each step.

[Setting up your first backup] Pick a backup target, configure a schedule, run your first backup, and confirm it succeeded.

[Setting up your first restore test] The single most important thing you'll ever do with backup software. Walk through a test restore on a non-critical file before you ever need a real one.

Configuration

[Backup targets — drives, network shares, and cloud-sync folders] What works as a backup target, what doesn't, what to watch out for.

[Backup schedules and Task Scheduler] How VaultGuard registers scheduled backup jobs through Windows Task Scheduler, and how to confirm they're running. Includes the Wake-To-Run option.

[Cloud copy setup] How to point VaultGuard at any cloud storage provider's local sync folder so your backups are mirrored off-site automatically.

[Email alert configuration] Configuring SMTP-based alerts for backup events. VaultGuard's email alerts are routed through a managed relay so you don't need to provide your own SMTP credentials.

[Optional administrator passphrase] How to set up the optional admin passphrase for compliance or shared-workstation environments. Includes guidance on choosing a passphrase that meets NIST SP 800-63B requirements.

[Optional two-factor authentication] How to add a 2FA layer to administrative actions. Includes the QR code provisioning step and a list of compatible authenticator apps.

[Machine and client identity fields] Setting a machine name and a client name in VaultGuard's configuration so backups are clearly identified across multiple sites.

Restoring Data

[File-level restore] Recovering individual files or folders from a backup without rolling back your entire system.

[Full system restore] Booting into Windows Recovery Environment and restoring a complete system image after catastrophic data loss, hardware replacement, or ransomware.

[Cloud restore] Restoring from your off-site cloud copy when your local backup target is gone.

[Reading the manifest verification result] What VaultGuard tells you about your backup's integrity, and what to do when verification fails.

[The "Check Backup" function on the Restore tab] What the ransomware-extension scan checks for, what a positive result means, and how to decide which backup to restore from.

[Learn to Restore]The ‘how’ of the restore process when it’s needed.

Security And Compliance

[Verifying the VaultGuard binary] How to verify the SHA-256 hash and code signature of the VaultGuard executable before running it.

[Where VaultGuard stores its data] The contents of C:\ProgramData\VaultGuardBackup\ and the ACL permissions that protect it.

[The license server, hardware fingerprinting, and offline grace period] How license validation works, what data is transmitted, and what happens if VaultGuard can't reach the license server.

[Email alerts and the relay infrastructure] What information passes through the email alert relay on its way to your inbox, and the privacy implications.

[HIPAA considerations for VaultGuard users] A practical guide for medical and dental offices using VaultGuard. Includes Business Associate Agreement guidance.

Troubleshooting

[Common wbadmin error codes] What each wbadmin exit code means, in plain English, and what to do about it.

[Backup failed — diagnostic checklist] A step-by-step walkthrough for diagnosing a failed backup, before you email support.

[Manifest verification failed — what now?] What it means when manifest verification fails, what likely caused it, and how to recover safely.

[Drive health warnings] Interpreting SMART warnings, chkdsk results, and drive age tracking notifications.

[Cloud copy didn't run] Diagnosing why your cloud sync folder isn't getting the latest backup.

[License validation failed] What to do when VaultGuard can't activate or re-validate your license.

[Reading VaultGuard's logs] How to read the diagnostic logs in C:\ProgramData\VaultGuardBackup\ and what to include when you email support.

Reference

[Configuration file reference] Full schema for VaultGuard's configuration file, with each field explained.

[Command-line options] For administrators automating VaultGuard across multiple machines.

[Glossary] Terms used throughout VaultGuard and the documentation — manifest, hash, fingerprint, activation, grace period, and others.

[System requirements] Supported Windows versions, hardware requirements, and prerequisites.

What's Missing?

If you're looking for something that isn't documented here, email customerservice@informationsecuritykentucky.com and tell me what you needed. Documentation gaps are bugs — I treat them that way.