You do take regular backups of your PC don't you? No? Don't tell me: you've tried, but found it too complicated or just too time-consuming to bother. In which case you'll be interested in FileKeeper Professional, from Yosemite Technologies, which takes care of all the hard work so that the only time you need to get involved is when you want to recover a deleted document or revert to a previous version.

You don't need any special backup hardware to use FileKeeper, just a Windows XP or Vista PC. Moreover, the software takes just minutes to install with little to do to get started other than choose from a list of pre-set file protection policies.

Most people, for example, will opt for the Microsoft Office policy, to continuously protect documents created using Word, Excel, PowerPoint and so on. Every time you save one of these documents, FileKeeper will take a snapshot of the current version first, keeping each saved version for up to 30 days, plus copies of any files you decide to delete for 15 days.

The defaults can be changed if you want, and FileKeeper can also protect e-mail, taking a snapshot of your Outlook or Outlook Express files, on an hourly basis or at whatever interval you decide to use. Other open files, including desktop databases, can also be protected by snapshots, plus you're not just limited to protecting documents and files on the local hard disk. Those on removable drives and network storage can also be included.

A Windows taskbar icon lets you know when FileKeeper is installed and working, with a simple management console from which you can edit the file protection policies and locate and recover deleted files. To restore a previous version of a document file, however, all that's needed is a right-click on its icon. You can then choose from a list of previous versions held in the FileKeeper store with the option of taking a copy first rather than editing the saved version directly.

There's no special interface to learn and you don't have to go hunting for backup tapes or disks; it's all done for you. We found it delightfully easy to use and very unobtrusive, the software only storing changes that have been made since the last copy to minimise the time and space required. The software can also be configured to encrypt saved files for extra security.

The copies are all held in a hidden store on your local hard disk, making for fast recovery. However, it's always a good idea to have an independent backup; for example, to protect against a hard disk crash or the PC being lost or stolen. In which case one or more additional “data vaults” can also be configured. These can be on network shares, USB memory sticks or removable hard drives and configured to backup the version store manually or on a regular basis.

Again, data vaults are relatively easy to setup, although when using a network share the vault has to be in the root directory, plus you need to specify the location using a UNC pathname, so you do have to know what you're doing. Bear in mind also that the Yosemite software can only protect documents and data files, which means making other arrangements to backup Windows and other applications on the PC.

Still, it protects what's most important, is easy to use and doesn't cost that much. Plus there's corporate version (from $389, approx. £200 + VAT, for 10 users) which adds centralised policy management for use on small company networks.

Simple to install and configure, FileKeeper Professional takes the hassle out of protecting important documents and data files, automatically taking a backup every time an updated version is saved. No special backup hardware is needed and reverting to a previous version is a simple matter of right-clicking with the mouse and choosing the one you want. It's also possible to recover deleted files and protect e-mail.