Backup Procedures

Back-up Procedures

Backing up Selected Files or Folders

Backing up only a selection of files and folders typically requires much less space than backing up your entire hard drive. You can store this data on a flash drive, external hard drive, or cloud storage (such as Google Drive, Drop Box, Amazon Drive, etc.).

Most desktops will have a CD/DVD/Optical Drive. However, a lot of newer devices do not, so it is not recommended to store your data on a DVD-R or CD-R, though this may be a good option as a copy of your primary back-up device.

Choosing a Backup Method and Location

Before you back up your data, you need to decide what you want to back up. Backing up your entire hard drive requires a different approach than backing up just a few files. The amount of data being backed up and the method you choose will determine the best location for saving your data.

When choosing an external hard drive, be sure it offers more storage space than your system hard drive or the total amount of space your current files take up on your device. We recommend using an external drive with at least 1.5 to 2 times the space of your system hard drive.

The recommended method is to only backup needed files or folders, using a manual backup process. A manual backup involves choosing the files or folders you wish to back up, then copying them to a backup device. Manual backups are performed by simply selecting and dragging the folders or files to the destination of choice, typically your external flash drive or external hard drive; no third party software is required.

TIP: Create a folder on your Desktop called "Backup Files" and move the files you wish to backup on your computer into that folder. Once you have identified and moved all your files to your "Backup Files" desktop folder, you can simply drag that folder to your backup device.

Backing up Files or Folders Manually

Manually backing up your files can be done without using any special software or utility. The device you choose to back up to will be determined by the amount of data you choose to back up. Flash drives, CD-Rs and DVD-Rs have a limited capacity.

Backing up your files manually allows you to choose which files are backed up and when they are backed up. One of the downsides to manual backups is human error. If you neglect to back up a particular file or folder and run into problems, restoring or getting the file or folder back may not be possible.

The following folders are recommended in being evaluated and/or backed up, please note that some folders may not exist or be applicable on your current device:

Recommended Folders to Back-up/Review (Windows Operating System)**

• C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Desktop
• C:\Documents and Settings\Username\My Documents
• C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Downloads
• C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Favorites
• C:\Documents and Settings\Username\My Dropbox (optional)
• C:\Documents and Settings\Username\My Movies
• C:\Documents and Settings\Username\My Pictures

Recommended Folders to Back-up/Review (Mac Operating System)**

• /Users/Username/Desktop/
• /Users/Username/Documents/
• /Users/Username/Downloads
• /Users/Username/Dropbox/ (optional)
• /Users/Username/Movies/
• /Users/Username/Music/
• /Users/Username/Pictures/
• /Users/Username/Public/ (probably empty)
• /Users/Username/Library/Application Support/ (special;/custom/personal/Apps)
• /Users/Username/Library/Safari
• /Users/Username/Library/Firefox (only if used as primary web browser)
• /Users/Username/Library/Chrome (only if used as primary web browser)

**If you wish to use an external drive or flash drive between a Windows Operating System and a Mac Operating System please follow the directions for formatting your hard drive for cross device use in the last section of this article below.

Your external drive or flash drive should have no files on it when completing this process or they all will be wiped out and cannot be restored.

Recommended Web Browser Bookmarks

If you are already using Google Chrome and have already signed in to the Google Chrome Web Browser, then your Chrome bookmarks will already be saved. If you are utlizing a different web browser and wish to backup your bookmarks, please follow the steps below for your respective web browser.

o To save Bookmarks from Firefox:

1. Open Firefox on a computer.
2. Click ☰
3. Click Library
4. Click Bookmarks
5. Click Show All Bookmarks (bottom of menu)
6. Click Import and Backup icon (start icon)
7. Click Export Bookmarks to HTML...
8. Select a save location (preferably your backup device) and click Save

o To save Bookmarks from Safari:

1. Select File on the menu bar
2. Click Select Export Bookmarks from the file menu
3. Save the exported bookmarks to your back-up device

o To save Bookmarks from Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click ⋮ in the top right corner.
3. Select Bookmarks.
4. Click Bookmark Manager.
5. Click Organize.
6. Click Export bookmarks to HTML file.
7. Choose a location (preferably your backup device) and then click Save.

o To save Bookmarks from Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge:

1. Click the Favorites button, click the arrow next to the Add to Favorites button, and then click Import and Export.
2. Click Export to a file, and then click Next.
3. Select the Favorites check box, and then click Next.
4. Select the folder that you want to export your favorites from, and then click Next.
5. Click Export.
6. Choose a location where you want your exported file to be saved, then click Finish.

Formatting Your External Drive or Flash Drive

Need to access or transfer files between Mac and PC? As simple as this task sounds, you need to format your external drive or flash drive in order to ensure interoperability. Since Mac OS X and Windows use totally different file systems, the way a drive is formatted can determine what type of computer it will work with.

Be aware that formatting a drive deletes all of the files on it, so back up anything important before completing this step.

Format a drive using Windows

1. Go to Computer.
2. Select your drive from the list and right-click on it. Choose Format from the contextual menu. A window will pop up where you can choose one of the following two formats - FAT32 or exFat. Make sure the allocation unit size to set to default and type in a volume name.
3. Click Start to format the drive

Format a drive using Disk Utility on a Mac

1. Launch Disk Utility (Applications>Utilities).
2. Select your external hard drive or USB flash drive from the list on the left.
3. DO NOT CHOOSE Macintosh HD.
4. Click on the Erase tab. Select one of the following three formats - Mac OS Extended (Journaled), MS_DOS (FAT32), or exFAT - then name the drive.

4. Click the Erase button and the drive will start formatting. Be aware that formatting a drive deletes all of the files on it, so back up anything important before completing this step.