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How to backup files on my PC

How to backup files on my PC

Owned by Ariel Chan
Last updated: Feb 24, 2025
4 min read

Please follow these steps to ensure all your files are correctly backed up.

Note that anything in your Downloads folder will not be backed up by OneDrive. You must copy these files into a OneDrive folder to back them up!

Sign into your OneDrive Account

  1. Open OneDrive by searching OneDrive in the search bar at the Start Menu.

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  2. When prompted, enter your Microsoft account credentials (email and password).

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  3. If a window titled A OneDrive folder already exists on this PC, click the button: Use this folder.

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Use the OneDrive Backup feature

  1. Open OneDrive Settings by navigating the OneDrive icon, and click on the cogwheel.

    image-20250221-181832.png

  2. Check on the option: Settings.

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  3. In the new window, click Manage backup on the Sync and backup page.

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  4. A new window labelled Back up folders on this PC will pop up. Make sure to toggle the three switches (from grey to blue) and click Backup. OneDrive would have backed up the content in your Documents, Pictures folder and Desktop when the window looks like the following image.

    image-20250221-182855.png

Back up local Downloads into your OneDrive Account

  1. Open File Explorer by pressing Windows Key + E.

  2. In the left sidebar, click on OneDrive to open it.

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  1. Anything within this OneDrive folder will be backed up in your account. Navigate to Downloads, then drag and drop these files or folders into OneDrive.

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    1. Alternatively, right-click on the file/folder, select Copy, navigate to the OneDrive folder, right-click, and choose Paste.

Back up Chrome Bookmarks

Refer to Move or export bookmarks to another browser from Google Chrome Help.

Back up Firefox Bookmarks

Refer to the article: Export Firefox bookmarks to an HTML file to back up or transfer bookmarks.

Back up Microsoft Edge Bookmarks

  1. Open Microsoft Edge.

  2. Click on the three dots (…) in the top right corner, then select Favorites.

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  3. Click the three dots (…) on the smaller window, then click Export favorites.

    image-20250224-144537.png

Be sure to back up the exported files into your OneDrive (refer to Step 3).

Confirm all files are backed up

  1. In OneDrive, make sure all important files have a cloud icon, which indicates that the file is stored in the cloud and synced.

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  1. Click on the OneDrive icon in the taskbar. If the sync process is complete, there should be a status update stating: Your files are synced.

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  1. Open File Explorer, and sign into OneDrive via the web. If all the files are synced and backed up, you will have access to all those files from OneDrive online.

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If you have technical issues, Please submit a request to the ETIS Jira Queue. If you need help after hours or on the weekends, contact IST Service Desk.