Backing Up Your Data: Cloud Storage, Software, and Manual Methods


Contents

In the event of a hard drive failure, computer loss, or theft, you may be faced with either the permanent loss of your data, or incurring the cost of a data recovery service. To avoid these situations, use one or more of the backup solutions described below.

Cloud Storage and Sharing

Cloud-based file storage subscription services allow you to upload files to the cloud, share files, and/or view those files from multiple devices (e.g., another computer or mobile devices). Refer to the table below for a quick comparison of some commonly used cloud-based services.

Note: Northwestern University does not endorse these vendors or make any guarantees about these products. Other cloud-based solutions are available.

Automatic Backup Software

There are several online backup subscriptions services available. Once you download and install the program provided by the service, it will automatically backup your data files without having to be reminded. Each service offers advantages and disadvantages so be sure to shop around. A selection of common backup solutions is below:

Note: Northwestern University does not endorse these vendors or make any guarantees about these products. Other cloud-based solutions are available.

Manual Data Backup

Windows

  1. Connect your USB flash drive or external hard drive to your computer (skip this step if using cloud storage).
  2. Open windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\ProfileName (Example: C:\Users\James Bond).
  3. Open your profile and hold CTRL + click to select all of the folders you want to backup and Copy.
  4. Navigate to your external drive or cloud storage location and paste your folders into the storage folder.

 Note: Some applications store important data in hidden folders that are not visible by default. To ensure a complete backup, include the following folders if applicable:

macOS

  1. Connect your USB flash drive or external hard drive to your computer (skip this step if using cloud storage).
  2. Using Finder, navigate to Go > Computer > Macintosh HD > Users > ProfileName.
  3. Right click your profile folder and click Copy.
  4. Navigate to your external drive or cloud storage location and paste your profile folder

Note: If you are backing to an external hard drive, we recommend using Time Machine to backup your computer.

 

Browser Data Backup: Bookmarks & Passwords

Browsers all store their data differently. To save bookmarks and/or passwords from your browser, please follow the instructions below to export and import the data.

Export Bookmarks:

  1. Open Google Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the browser window.
  2. Hover over Bookmarks and lists, then click Bookmark manager.
  3. Inside the Bookmark Manager, click the three vertical dots located in the top-right corner of the blue or white header bar (this is separate from the main browser menu).
  4. Select Export bookmarks.
  5. Choose a destination on your computer (like your Desktop or Downloads folder) and click Save. Chrome will export your bookmarks as an .html file.

 

Import Bookmarks:

  1. Open Google Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the browser window.
  2. Hover over Bookmarks and lists, then click Bookmark manager.
  3. Inside the Bookmark Manager, click the three vertical dots located in the top-right corner of the blue or white header bar (this is separate from the main browser menu).
  4. Select Import bookmarks.
  5. Choose your saved HTML file from your computer and click Open.

 

Export Passwords:

  1. Open Chrome and click the three dots (top right) and select Settings.
  2. Click Autofill and passwords and select Google Password Manager.
  3. Click Settings in the left sidebar.
  4. Scroll to Export passwords and click Download file.
  5. Enter your device's login password to confirm.

 

Import Passwords:

  1. Open Chrome and click the three dots (top right) and select Settings.
  2. Click Autofill and passwords and select Google Password Manager.
  3. Click Settings in the left sidebar.
  4. Scroll down to the Import passwords section and click Select file.
  5. Locate and select the .csv password file on your computer and click Open.

Export Bookmarks:

  1. Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Bookmarks and click Manage bookmarks at the bottom of the menu.
  3. At the top of the Library window, click Import and Backup.
  4. Choose Export Bookmarks to HTML... from the drop-down menu.
  5. Select a location to save the file (e.g., your Desktop or a flash drive) and click Save.

 

Import Bookmarks:

  1. Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Bookmarks and click Manage bookmarks at the bottom of the menu.
  3. In the Library window, click Import and Backup and select Import Bookmarks from HTML....
  4. Locate your bookmarks .html file on your computer, select it, and click Open.

 

Export Passwords:

  1. Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Passwords.
  3. Click the three dots in the upper-right corner of the password manager page.
  4. Choose Export Passwords....
  5. Click Export on the warning prompt advising you that passwords will be saved as readable text.
  6. Enter your computer's system password or your Firefox Primary Password if prompted.
  7. Choose a save location on your computer and click Save. Your passwords will be exported as a .csv file.

 

Import Passwords:

  1. Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Passwords.
  3. Click the three dots in the upper-right corner of the password manager page.
  4. Choose Import from a file…
  5. Select your password file and click Open.

Export Bookmarks (Favorites):

  1. Open Microsoft Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner and select Settings.
  2. In the left sidebar, click Profiles, then select Import browser data.
  3. Scroll down to Export favorites and click Export favorites.
  4. Choose a destination on your computer (like your Desktop or Downloads folder) and click Save. Edge will export your favorites as an .html file.

 

Import Bookmarks (Favorites):

  1. Open Microsoft Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner and select Settings.
  2. In the left sidebar, click Profiles, then select Import browser data.
  3. Under Other import locations, click the Import button next to Import browser data now.
  4. In the Import from list, select Favorites or bookmarks HTML file.
  5. Click Choose file, locate your saved .html bookmarks file, select it, and click Open.
  6. When the import is complete, click Done. Your imported favorites will appear in a folder on the Favorites bar labeled "Imported".

 

Export Passwords:

  1. Open Microsoft Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner and select Settings.
  2. In the left sidebar, click Profiles, then select Passwords.
  3. Click the three horizontal dots next to Saved passwords and select Export passwords.
  4. Click Export to confirm on the warning prompt.
  5. Enter your device's login password if prompted.
  6. Choose a destination and click Save. Passwords are exported as a .csv file.

 

Import Passwords:

  1. Open Microsoft Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner and select Settings.
  2. In the left sidebar, click Profiles, then select Import browser data.
  3. Under Other import locations, click the Import button next to Import browser data now.
  4. In the Import from list, select Passwords CSV file.
  5. Click Choose file, locate your saved .csv password file, select it, and click Open.
  6. Click Import to complete the process.

Note: These instructions apply to Safari on Mac only. Safari on Windows does not support bookmark or password export/import.

Export Bookmarks:

  1. Open Safari and click File in the menu bar.
  2. Select Export and choose Bookmarks.
  3. Choose a destination on your computer (like your Desktop or Downloads folder) and click Save. Safari will export your bookmarks as an .html file named "Safari Bookmarks.html".

 

Import Bookmarks:

  1. Open Safari and click File in the menu bar.
  2. Select Import From and choose Bookmarks HTML File…
  3. Locate your saved .html bookmarks file, select it, and click Import. Imported bookmarks will appear in a new folder in your sidebar beginning with "Imported" followed by the date.

 

Export Passwords:

  1. Open Safari and click File in the menu bar.
  2. Select Export and choose Passwords.
  3. Click Export Passwords on the warning prompt.
  4. Enter your Mac login password to confirm.
  5. Choose a destination and click Save. Passwords are exported as a .csv file.

 

Import Passwords:

  1. Open Safari and click File in the menu bar.
  2. Select Import From and choose Passwords CSV File…
  3. Select your .csv password file and click Import.
  4. Enter your Mac login password to confirm.
  5. Click Delete "[filename].csv" when prompted to protect your account security.