I believe that if your update period has already expired, so is your chance to create a working back up SD card or a Scan Files of a Maxi SYS.,because a protected encrypted exe install file is probably not going to transfer because of built in Windows security features that honor the protected file and it won't be there when you need it.You might be better off copying card contents to a PC running Ubuntu or cloning software that doesn't give a sh@t whether a specific file is protected or not. The backup software created while still within your update period will work after you connect to Autel's site because it verifies your unit serial number and automatically installs the missing encrypted .exe install file and then it works.