Skip to a section: Export bookmarks/favorites | Create file backup
Available to
Faculty, Staff, Students
Overview
Follow these best practices to create a backup of your ECU-managed Windows computer. This may be in preparation for a new system, a hard drive re-image of the same system, a software update or insurance against a hard drive crash.
Your needs may vary, but the standard backup folders usually include:
Desktop
Documents |
Downloads
Pictures |
Music
Movies |
Browser favorites/bookmarks (exported, see below) |
PLEASE NOTE
Work files. It is required that you save work files to an ECU storage option: ECU OneDrive or Piratedrive. Do not save work files to a personal device or non-ECU cloud service.
Personal files. Non-work files should always be saved to a personal device such as a personal computer, personal cloud storage or personal external device.
Step 1. Export browser bookmarks/favorites
Export your browser favorites/bookmarks to an html file and save it to your Documents folder.
Microsoft Edge
 |
- From the open Edge browser, click the ellipsis icon (3 dots, upper right).
- Choose Favorites. The Favorites dialog box opens.
- Click the ellipsis icon in the Favorites dialog box.
- Choose Export favorites.
- Save the html document in your documents folder.
- To import, follow Steps 1-3. Choose Import favorites.
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Mozilla Firefox
 |
- Open Firefox and click the Application Menu
(upper right).
- Click Bookmarks. Choose Manage Bookmarks. The Library dialog box opens.
- Click All Bookmarks in the folder list on the left. This ensures all your bookmarks export.
- Click the Import and Backup drop-down menu.
- Choose the Export Bookmarks to HTML… option. Your computer’s file explorer dialog box opens.
- Type a recognizable file name for your backup. Like “Firefox bookmarks July 2025.”
- Save this file to your Documents folder.
- To import, follow Steps 1-4, then choose Import Bookmarks from HTML...
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Google Chrome
 |
- Open Chrome and click the vertical ellipsis icon
(upper right corner).
- Click Bookmarks and lists, then choose Bookmark Manager.
- Click the vertical ellipsis icon on the Bookmarks page (the one under the main toolbar).
- Choose the Export bookmarks option. File explorer opens.
- Type a recognizable file name for your backup.
- Click the Save button.
- You may need to save two files: Bookmarks bar & Other bookmarks.
- After your upgrade, follow this process but choose the Import option.
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Step 2. Copy your data to OneDrive or Piratedrive
Microsoft OneDrive Cloud Storage (Recommended)
All ECU users have an ECU-specific OneDrive cloud storage folder through Microsoft 365. If you also have a personal OneDrive account, be sure you move work files to your ECU OneDrive.
NOTE: If you are upgrading your current ECU-managed computer to Windows 11, note that the hard drive will be wiped for a clean install. Upload work files to OneDrive and any non-work files to a personal device. Once you upgrade to Windows 11, your Documents, Pictures and Desktop folders automatically sync to OneDrive.
ECU OneDrive cloud folder (recommended)
- Open OneDrive:
- Click the OneDrive icon in Teams (left menu)
- Open mymail.ecu.edu and click OneDrive icon (left menu).
- Log in to Microsoft 365 at pirate365.ecu.edu Home and click OneDrive icon (left menu).
- From OneDrive, click the Add new button (top left).
- Choose Folder upload. File Explorer opens.
- Click a folder to highlight.
- Click the Upload button. Follow these steps until all work files/folders are uploaded to OneDrive.
Piratedrive
Every ECU user has a 5GB Piratedrive storage folder specifically for storage of research/sensitive data. There are several ways to access your Piratedrive folder:
- U Drive. On campus and logged in to the INTRA domain, you can drag and drop files to the “U” drive.
- VPN. Off campus users access the “U” drive through an ECU VPN connection. Drag and drop files to Piratedrive. Again, drag and drop files.
- PiratePort. Log in to PiratePort to access your Piratedrive folder. Click the upload button to copy files from your computer
- To learn more about Piratedrive options, see these TeamDynamix IT knowledge base articles.
Need help? Call Pirate Techs support at 252-328-9866 | 800-340-7081.