OIT Public Knowledge - Computer Backup Checklist for New Operating System Installation

As the daily user of your university owned computer, you are the best source of information on what needs to be backed up before the operating system is re-installed, or before you receive a new computer. This document is intended to guide end users through many common data backup scenarios to ensure their data and utilities are still available after an OS upgrade or storage changing event.

Information
Escalation
Related Documentation

Information

As the daily user of your university owned computer, you are the best source of information on what needs to be backed up before the operating system is re-installed, or before you receive a new computer. You will want to back up any data, files, documents, bookmarks, special configurations, etc. that you want to put back on your computer after it is updated. All of these categories may not apply to your situation, but they are common things to back-up.

Data back-up must be completed prior to the scheduled pickup time or upgrade time.

NOTICE: All Local Data Will Be Erased - If your machine is being re-imaged or updated to a newer version of the operating system, your computer’s hard drive will be wiped clean during the migration. All data stored locally will be erased and overwritten as part of the upgrade process. The OIT Managed Desktop Service is not responsible for any lost data.

Where to Save Back-ups

You should save any data that you want to keep to an external storage device (ex: thumb drive), Google Drive, or your personal B:\ drive if you are already using the OIT Managed Desktop Service. Use this time to clean up unneeded files. The B:\ drive has a 5 GB limit. Talk to your business office if you would like to increase that quota. Please remember that large numbers of audio and video files may take many hours to back-up.

Upload Files and Folders to Google Drive
How to Request Storage Quota Increases from the OIT Managed Desktop Service
How to Move or Copy Files from One Drive to Another in Windows
Backup Your Mac With Time Machine

External devices

If we are scheduled to do the upgrade in your office, please unplug external hard drives, USB drives, printers, and scanners but leave mice and keyboards (hardwired or wireless) plugged in.

Identify Your Machine

If we are picking up a computer that has already been in use we need to know to whom we should return it. It is also helpful if you note the Incident number (Example: INC123456) for your ticket if you have one.

Print a sheet of paper(60 pt font) with the IP address and Computer Name of your machine and leave taped to the device in a visible location.

Local Data

This category may include documents saved to your local hard-drive, browser bookmarks, Favorites, & Cookies.

Backup any data files stored on your C:\ drive.

Examples:

Documents
Photos
Video
Music

Downloads folder - backup any downloaded files you wish to keep.

Bookmarks

Backup your bookmarks in FireFox and Chrome. Internet Explorer should automatically backup your bookmarks, so you shouldn't need to do this for IE.

How to Backup Bookmarks in Chrome (sync method is recommended)
How to Backup Bookmarks in Firefox
How to Backup Bookmarks in Safari

Application Files & Inventory

Users will be responsible for coordinating with their LANTechs to reinstall and reconfigure specialty applications installed locally by the user or department. Example: The favorite application you use to play mp3 files.
The Managed Desktop image already includes productivity applications such as MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, Chrome/Firefox web browsers as well as any applications we have packaged to automatically install for your department. These applications will be restored automatically as part of the upgrade.
Applications installed by the user or LANTechs will not be reinstalled.

Applications installed by you or your department

Inventory any specialty or departmental applications that were user-installed, along with their settings (if advanced configuration is required).
This might include things like Photoshop preferences. Backup Adobe Presets, Settings, and Actions

Daily-Use Applications - For “normal use” work-related applications, review them and make a list, so you’ll know after the migration if the applications you use were carried over.

iTunes - Backup and Restore Your iTunes Library

Fonts

Windows Sticky Notes - Backup and Restore Sticky Notes

MS Office templates - If you have downloaded custom templates, they should be backed up/exported to reinstall after upgrade.

Check C:\Users\username\Documents\Custom Office Templates

Printer Templates

Some advanced applications, such as AutoCAD or other applications that use printer templates, have custom configured printer settings that should be backed up or recorded. You can use screenshots to document settings in each tab in the Printer Dialog Box. This is only necessary if you use advanced applications that require custom settings.

License Keys

Be sure to check and record any Software License Keys or Serial Numbers for your specialty or departmental programs so they can be reinstalled afterward. Make sure you have the licenses for fonts as well.

Browser Extensions

Chrome extensions are located in your Chrome profile, so they will carry over after the migration. No extension back-up is needed if you log in to Chrome and use your profile.

Firefox plugins will carry over, as well, if you log in and use a Firefox profile.

Screenshot the lists of plugins and extensions if you don’t use browser profiles.

Printer Access

Verify which printers are currently accessible on your workstation, including the preferred default printer, so after the migration you can verify that you still have access. Printer access is automated via group policy and should be automatic, but some exceptions have been made that cannot be duplicated via group policy.

Click Start→ Devices and Printers→ Write down or take Screenshot of list of printers.
Some departments use Print Codes. Please keep a copy of these. They will have to be reapplied after migration.

RAID

If you are using a RAID configuration for data redundancy please notify the technician assigned to your ticket.

Escalation

Any questions on process or content contained in this document should be escalated through the NCSU Help desk and a have an incident assigned to the OIT_DESKTOP_SUPPORT team.

Computer Backup Checklist for New Operating System Installation

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