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RecolorthePast
Free archive tool

Photo storage calculator

Estimate the drive or cloud space needed for a scanned family archive. Include working copies and backups so the collection is not stored in only one place.

Estimated storage required

24 GB

Space for 1,000 photos across 3 complete copies.

Allow about 28.8 GB with 20% free space for growth and file-system overhead.

Preserve the source and the finished interpretation
Source scan to archive

Source scan to archive

Separate restored copy

Separate restored copy

Use the 3-2-1 backup rule

Keep three copies, on at least two different types of storage, with one copy in another location. A synced folder alone is not a complete backup if deletions also sync.

Build a safer family archive

  • Keep lossless master scans and smaller JPEG sharing copies.
  • Use descriptive folders and filenames that do not depend on one app.
  • Test backups periodically by opening a sample of files.

Restore copies without replacing originals

Keep every source scan and save restoration results as separate files in your archive.