Draft:Mac laptop backup
About this article
This article provides a checklist of the required and optional tasks involved in backing up personal and school-related files saved on the Apple MacBook provided through the E-Warrior Digital Life and Learning Program. Use this checklist as part of your normal backup routine or to prepare for a laptop exchange or re-imaging. It is intended for both students and employees.
Frequently asked questions
Over the years, we have encountered some common questions about backing up data. Why do you have to do it manually? Where should you store your backup files? Where can you get help? If you have questions, check our Frequently Asked Questions article for answers.
Your backup checklist
Everyone should back up any school-related and personal documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and media stored on their laptop's hard drive. Depending on the applications you use, some of you may need to back up application-specific files. Listed below are articles covering these required and optional backup tasks for Mac users:
Backing up files on your MacBook Pro
Optional - Back up any special, application-specific files as needed
Export your browser bookmarks and favorites (IE, Firefox, Chrome). If you save web addresses in your browser, you can export them and then import them into your browser on your new laptop.
Copy your KeePass database. If you use the KeePass password vault to store your passwords, that database is stored on your laptop and can be copied and stored.
Copy your iTunes library. If you use Apple iTunes, any burned music tracks, saved podcasts, and downloaded, purchased media, are stored as files on your laptop. The folder that contains these files can be copied and stored.
Copy your Outlook email archive .pst files. If you use the email archive function in Outlook to save items from your mailbox, the file this process creates on your laptop can be copied and stored.
Copy Office appearance and personalization settings. If you have modified Office (e.g., added fonts, signatures, words to the dictionary, macros), you may be able to save some of these modifications.
Copy your Respondus test bank databases. If you use the Respondus test authoring tool (not to be confused with Respondus Lockdown Browser), your tests and question banks are saved as .rsa files on your laptop. These Respondus files will need to be backed up and moved to your new laptop.
Copy your Techsmith Camtasia Studio projects. If you use TechSmith Camtasia Studio to record videos, there are multiple folders and files you need to copy and move to your new laptop.
Copy your Adobe Presenter videos. If you use Adobe Presenter to narrate over your PowerPoint slides, contact TLT (tlt@winona.edu) for assistance with backup.
Copy your SPSS databases and output files. If you use SPSS to analyze data, both the datasets and output files are saved on your laptop and will need to be copied and moved to your new laptop.
Copy your archived D2L courses. If you use D2L and have archived any old courses, these files are stored on your laptop and will need to be moved to your new laptop.
Unsupported personal applications. If you installed any unsupported software for school or personal use such as a password vault, a citation manager (e.g., EndNote, Reference Manager), a tax preparation tool (e.g., TurboTax), or photo gallery software, back up any related files you wish to retain. Consult your documentation to determine the location and format of these files.
Optional - Update your backup notes
If you really want to maximize your efficiency when it comes time to replace your laptop, take some notes when you do your backups:
Installed software applications. Make a list of all the applications you need to install on your new laptop (e.g., Uniface, Adobe Photoshop, SPSS, JMP).
Installed browser add-ons or extensions. Make a list of the modifications you have made to your browsers (e.g., Google Toolbar, Hangouts, Feedly, Pocket, Zotero, Diigo).