Tutorial - Create a Computer Backup (Windows)

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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

""
  1. From the open Edge browser, click the ellipsis icon (3 dots, upper right). 
  2. Choose Favorites. The Favorites dialog box opens.
  3. Click the ellipsis icon in the Favorites dialog box. 
  4. Choose Export favorites. 
  5. Save the html document in your documents folder. 
  6. To import, follow Steps 1-3. Choose Import favorites. 

Mozilla Firefox

""
  1. Open Firefox and click the  Application Menu "" (upper right).
  2. Click Bookmarks. Choose Manage Bookmarks. The Library dialog box opens.
  3. Click All Bookmarks in the folder list on the left. This ensures all your bookmarks export.
  4. Click the Import and Backup drop-down menu.
  5. Choose the Export Bookmarks to HTML… option. Your computer’s file explorer dialog box opens.
  6. Type a recognizable file name for your backup. Like “Firefox bookmarks July 2025.”
  7. Save this file to your Documents folder. 
  8. To import, follow Steps 1-4, then choose Import Bookmarks from HTML...

Google Chrome

""
  1. Open Chrome and click the vertical ellipsis icon "" (upper right corner).
  2. Click Bookmarks and lists, then choose Bookmark Manager.
  3. Click the vertical ellipsis icon on the Bookmarks page (the one under the main toolbar).
  4. Choose the Export bookmarks option. File explorer opens.
  5. Type a recognizable file name for your backup.
  6. Click the Save button.
  7. You may need to save two files: Bookmarks bar & Other bookmarks. 
  8. After your upgrade, follow this process but choose the Import option.

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)

  1. 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).
  2. From OneDrive, click the Add new button (top left).
  3. Choose Folder upload. File Explorer opens. 
  4. Click a folder to highlight.
  5. 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:

  1. U Drive. On campus and logged in to the INTRA domain, you can drag and drop files to the “U” drive.
  2. VPN. Off campus users access the “U” drive through an ECU VPN connection. Drag and drop files to Piratedrive. Again, drag and drop files.
  3. PiratePort. Log in to PiratePort to access your Piratedrive folder. Click the upload button to copy files from your computer
  4. 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.

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