As with any computer or files you use, you should be backing up your Mendeley collection periodically in case your computer has problems.
In Mendeley Reference Manager:
- Select the File menu in the upper left.
- Choose Export All and select the RIS Format.
- Choose where the file will be saved. Save the file initially to the computer desktop and then move it to someplace you can easily access like a cloud drive or a USB stick.
In Mendeley Desktop:
- Click 'Help' in the menu bar.
- Select 'Create Backup'.
- Specify where you wish to save your backup files. The backup will be created and saved in the selected location.
Please note: This backup should be stored in your local drive. If you try to recover this backup in the future from Mendeley Desktop and the folder is linked to a cloud-based drive or folder, you may experience serious database recovery issues.