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This article contains tips and instructions on how to back up files and settings on Mac (Apple) computers.
Return here easily using go/backupmac/.
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Make a list of software you want on your new or re-imaged computer.
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Review our standard software list — these programs are installed without you needing to ask.
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Refresh your memory about the software you use:
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Review the program icons on your Dock and Desktop.
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Open the Applications folder (Go > Applications), then review the program folders within.
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Adobe software (including Acrobat for editing PDFs) is available for installation at go/getadobe/.
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For your other software needs, use Self Service (go/selfservice/) 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 dept. folder on Middfiles.
If copies of such files are not saved elsewhere then 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 have items that will be lost if you do not take appropriate steps.
Here's what to do:
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Open Finder.
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Click on the Go menu then click Home.
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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.
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Desktop (this folder holds everything you have on your computer's desktop)
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Documents, Music, Pictures, and Movies (these folders are where most people find items they need to copy elsewhere)
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Downloads (check here in case you need to save any recently downloaded files)
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Drag and drop work-related files from these local folders to OneDrive, Google Drive, shared departmental cloud or middfiles storage (or other appropriate storage devices) to ensure access from your replacement computer.
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Refer to OneDrive use or Google Drive use for detailed instructions.
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Any media files, such as pictures and videos, may be stored in your Middlebury OneDrive or Google Drive folder or departmental shared storage if they are work-related—otherwise, please copy them to a personally-owned external storage device or to personal cloud storage.
NOTE: Non-work-related files must be backed up to personal external storage. Middlebury's cloud storage accounts are for work-related use only. iCloud provides an excellent backup and transfer solution for Photos and purchased iTunes content.
Most web browsers now support syncing of bookmarks and other settings so you don't have to locate and copy them yourself. Once you create an account, you can use it to log in on other devices; your bookmarks and settings will be brought in for you automatically. See appropriate links below to learn how to take advantage of this handy feature.
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Firefox: How do I set up Sync on my computer?
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Chrome: Get your bookmarks, passwords, and more on all your devices
- Safari: Keep your Safari bookmarks, Reading List, and tabs up to date with iCloud
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Safari bookmarks are all stored in a file called Bookmarks.plist, which is located at ~/Library/Safari/. To get to this file in the Finder, hold down the Option key then choose Library from the Go menu. Open the Safari folder.
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To back up: Make a copy of the file in another location by holding down the Option key and dragging the Bookmarks.plist file to another location (such as the Desktop). The original file will remain (do not remove the original file from this location or your Safari bookmarks will be gone!).
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As an alternative, you can compress the file into an archive—select the Bookmarks.plist file, then from the File menu in the Finder, choose Create Archive / Compress. The original file will remain.
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To restore: Move the backup copy of Bookmarks.plist to the ~/Library/Safari/ folder. If you're restoring from an archive, don't forget to decompress the file (just double-click it).
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Important Note: The Bookmarks.plist file contains only the Safari bookmarks for the currently logged-in user. If other users on the same Mac have their own user accounts and personal bookmarks, their Bookmarks.plist files are located in their Home folders.
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.
You'll want to jot down the names of the printers that are currently on your computer. Here's how to find the details:
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Open System Settings.
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Open Printers & Scanners.
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Write down the printer names or take a screen snapshot.
You will need to reconnect to these printers for use on your new or refreshed computer.
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.
Email signatures are also stored locally and will not be available on your new or re-imaged computer. Most people only have a few signatures, so it's easier to recreate these by copy/pasting from sent messages. However, if you use a wide variety of signatures see the following article: How To Import, Export, and Transfer Outlook Signatures.
Individual contacts and contact lists (aka groups) that are created using Outlook for Mac are stored locally and will not be available on your new or re-imaged computer. If you can use Outlook Web App instead, this information will be stored in the cloud with your email account.
If you have been using the Outlook application and need to save your contacts and lists:
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View your On My Computer folders.
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Click the Outlook menu, then choose Preferences.
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Under Personal Settings, click General.
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DEselect Hide On My Computer folders. Now you'll be able to access the locally-stored files you need to save for later use.
These need to be backed up to a CD, DVD or external hard disk (the FireWire drives from the Library are not meant for backups). The following instruction for Photos may also be applied to Music and Movies folders.
Backing up Photos to an external hard disk
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Click on your Desktop.
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Click Go on the top of the screen then select Home.
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Drag the Pictures folder to the external hard drive. This will copy, not move, the Pictures folder, including the Photos library.