File backup (Students) - PC Flash, External or OneDrive
This page contains information on File Backup for a PC running windows to an external device such as a Hard Drive or Flash Drive. For other backup resources see File backup.
Connecting and Finding the Device
To back up to an external hard drive or flash drive, first connect the drive to your computer. Most of these devices use USB connectors, although some of the newer ones have eSATA. After connecting the drive and letting windows mount the device, you can find it under "My Computer". It will be listed as a removable disc with some associated drive letter. Some drives will be named by the brand of the drive such as WD for Western Digital or CruiserMini for a flash drive brand. Double-click the drive icon to open a window that lists the contents of the drive. It is not uncommon for some vendor files and folders to be preloaded (e.g., instructions, optional software).
Preparing Your Workspace
Once you have your drive window open, open up another window to display the laptop files and/or folders you wish to copy. Usually you can find this under My Computer > Data (D:) > Data. Now organize the windows so you can see both at the same time. You can do this manually by resizing and moving the windows or you can right click on the task bar at the bottom of the screen and selecting One way to do this is have one window open, and then Ctrl+Click on the other windows icon on the taskbar. After that, right click and selecting "Show windows side by side."
Preforming the Backup
Click and drag files and/or folders from your laptop window to your external drive window.
Tips and Tricks
There are some useful keyboard shortcuts during this process.
- Ctrl+A - Select all items
- Shift+Left Click - Selects items between one item and the item shift clicked on.
- Control+Left Click - Adds or removes an item from a selection.