Backing Up Important Data

Intended Audience

This article is for the benefit of faculty, staff, and students. This article also serves to assist our faculty and staff with information on backing up their computers before they are re-imaged. Prior to imaging a computer, we advise you to back up all important documents and files to the Google Drive, and/or removable media. It is also highly recommended to regularly back up important data.

We can provide guidance on how to back up the information if requested, however, the action of backing up data is the sole responsibility of each user and we are not responsible for any data loss during the imaging process. Imaging is a 'data-destructive' process and will erase the entire drive, so backing up important files and information to proper storage locations is highly encouraged.

Requirements

To follow this article, you will need a base knowledge of computers. A location on a Google Drive or removable media is also required (USB thumb drive, blank DVD, External Hard Drive, etc). This is for informational purposes only and

 

ITS will not be held responsible for any data that is not backed up properly.

Here is a list of commonly backed up data on computers:

  • Documents, Videos, Music, and Pictures folders
  • Web browser favorites and settings
  • Download folder and any downloaded files
  • Email client data
  • Alternate libraries - such as iTunes that will download to other locations
  • Programs that are hard to find or re-download
  • Driver software
  • Chat logs
  • Serial keys of paid software

Here are some steps and directions on how to backup your data on a Windows computer:

Please note that this is only the most commonplace that information is stored. If you are saving to other locations on your computer you will need to ensure to back those up as well.

  • Uploading files and folders to Google Drive -
    • Create a new folder in your Google “My Drive”
    • Then on your computer navigate to File Explorer - C:\Users\(uniqname)
      • Note* This directory has all the standard save locations
    • Select all by using the keyboard combination Ctrl + a
    • Then drag (left click and hold) the information that was highlighted from the previous step
    • Finally, drop (releasing the left click) into the new folder that was created on your Google Drive
    • After the backup is completed, please make sure to inform Desktop Computer Services that you are ready to have your computer imaged via ticket.
  • Or you can individually duplicate the folders Documents / Pictures / Music / Videos -
    • Backup your data on a Windows-based computer using removable media:
      • Click Start
      • Click Computer (on Windows 10 click File Explorer)
      • Double-click the drive where you currently have Windows 10, or Windows 11 installed (usually C:)
      • Open the Users folder
      • Then open the specific user folder that contains the files that you want to back up.
        • If you need to know how much space is required to fully backup a user folder, then right-click it and select Properties and look at the "Size."
      • Copy the necessary files and folders from the user folder to a removable media, Google Drive, or your preferred network location.
  • As well as Importing/Exporting Bookmarks -

Here are some steps and directions on how to backup your data on an Apple computer:

Please note that this is only the most commonplace that information is stored. If you are saving to other locations on your computer you will need to ensure to back those up as well.

Remember:

Any information that is not backed up properly will be lost after imaging your computer. With that in mind please make sure to back up your data to a location you can find and confirm that it has been properly done. Confirming that all the files you copied to the desired location is important.

Troubleshooting

If you have any questions or experience any issues with this article, please contact the ITS Helpdesk for assistance,

 

Location: 206 Murchie Science Building

Hours: go.umflint.edu/hours

Phone: (810) 762-3123

Email: flint.its.support@umich.edu

Print Article