Body
This page contains tips and instructions on how to back up files and settings on a PC (Windows) computer.
Return here easily using go/backupwindows/.
Contents
Make a list of software you want on your new or re-imaged computer.
-
Review our standard software list — these programs are installed without you needing to ask.
-
Refresh your memory on the software you use:
-
See our checklist of common apps to install or set-up on a new Windows computer.
For your other software needs, use the Company Portal (go/companyportal/) to download the apps you need.
"Local" files are ones that are only stored on your computer's hard drive, as opposed to in the cloud or in a department folder on Middfiles.
If copies of these files are not saved elsewhere, they will not be available on your new or refreshed computer.
If you have documents scattered all over your desktop, or if you use folders such as "Documents," "Pictures," and "Music", then you likely have items that will be lost if you do not follow the appropriate steps.
To save local files to the cloud:
-
Open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon on your Task Bar.
-
Navigate down the left sidebar to This PC—click the arrow beside the icon to point down and expand the contents. Now, within This PC, follow the same to expand Windows (C:) > Users > username. The username will likely be the username from username@middlebury.edu.
-
You'll see a variety of local folders which can contain important items. Review the contents of these folders, in particular looking for document, spreadsheet, presentation, image, and other important file types:
-
Desktop - this folder holds everything you have on your computer's desktop
-
Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos - these folders are where most people find items they need to copy elsewhere
-
Downloads - check here in case you need to save any recently downloaded files
-
iTunes Library - if you see this, see the section below for instructions on how to move this properly
-
Drag and drop work-related files from these local folders to OneDrive, Google Drive, shared departmental cloud or middfiles storage, or any other appropriate storage devices (e.g., USB drive, hard drive, etc.) to ensure access from your replacement computer.
-
Refer to OneDrive use or Google Drive use for detailed instructions on how to get started with these services.
-
Any work-related media files, such as pictures and videos, may be stored in your Middlebury OneDrive, Google Drive, or departmental shared storage—however, NON-work-related files must be copied to a personally-owned external storage device or personal cloud storage.
Most web browsers support syncing of bookmarks and other settings, so you don't have to locate and copy them yourself, or manually re-create them. Once you create an account for the browser(s) you use, you can use it to log in on other devices, and your bookmarks and other settings will be brought in for you automatically.
Web browsers also support saving bookmarks and settings to a file that can be used on different devices or browsers. This process is known as exporting and importing.
The instructions for both syncing and import/exporting bookmarks/favorites can be found at go/bookmarks/.
You'll want to make note of the names of the printers that are currently installed on your computer, as you will need to re-install them. You can see all installed printers at Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
Do you have access to other email accounts in addition to your own? Scroll through Outlook's navigation pane on the left and note the names of all other such accounts. It's best to know what should appear, as only accounts for which you are the owner will re-appear automatically on the new or refreshed computer. You will need to add all others manually. See Shared Mailboxes for more information.
Email signatures are also stored locally and will not be available on your new or re-imaged computer. If you only use one or two Outlook signatures, it's quicker to recreate them by copying from an old message once you have your new or refreshed computer.
If you use multiple signatures, you'll want to save the files for later use: How To Import, Export, and Transfer Outlook Signatures.
If you have made numerous adjustments to the pieces of information Outlook displays and how it looks, you might benefit from saving your view with a name. Named views can be re-applied easily and are stored on the email server in the cloud, making them accessible to your new or refreshed computer.
To save a view:
-
Click Outlook's View tab.
-
Click the Change View button; you'll see Outlook's preset views as well as any you may have created.
-
If needed, click Save Current View as a New View.
-
Supply a name for your new view, then select All Mail and Post folders to make it available for use in any Outlook folder.
This is an uncommon situation, and most users who have Outlook Archive folders know they need to take special steps to preserve them.
Outlook contains a feature called AutoArchive which saves all email older than 6 months to a file on your local hard drive and deletes it from our email servers. We do not typically recommend using AutoArchive, but we occasionally find it in use — often by accident — so it's good to take a look.
-
In the Outlook navigation pane, see if you have entries for Personal File Folders or Archive Folders — the contents of these are stored on the local computer itself, not on the email server.
-
You can use Control Panel > Mail > Data Files to open the folder where the .pst files are stored, then back them up.
-
You can also navigate directly to your Outlook folder using File Explorer — typically the path looks similar to this:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
-
Highlight all files ending in ".pst"—make sure in particular your selection includes "outlook.pst" and/or "archive.pst".
-
If File Explorer does not show file extensions, click View > Show > File name Extensions.
-
Select Edit > Copy from the menu to copy the selected files.
-
Open the folder where you want to put your backup copies in File Explorer (such as your OneDrive - Middlebury College folder).
-
Select Edit > Paste from the menu to paste your .pst files to the backup location.