Common File Locations for both Mac and Windows 7/Vista Users

This is a list of the locations and file paths for the most common places you would find personal information. It is recommended that you back up your personal information on a regular basis. How to Backup Data

Determining Your Backup Device

Its important to ensure that you have enough space to determine the right device to put your files on. To do so, you must know how much information is to be saved. 

Example: You are backing up your entire user account on a windows computer that you have found to be 10gb in size. If you only had an 8gb pen drive, you would not be able to save all of you information on that device.

Windows 7/Vista: Right on the desired file or folder and select "Properties". The amount of information will be displayed under "Size".

Mac OS X: Hold "control" and click on the desired folder or file location. Select "Get Info". The amount of information will be displayed under "Size".

General User Data/ Personal Data

General user data is anything that you have put on the computer. Desktop icons, pictures, downloads, documents, music, movies, etc. This is commonly referred to as personal data.

Windows 7/Vista:

Mac OS X: Click on your desktop in open space to ensure that you have "Finder" to the right of your top left Apple symbol. You then click on the "Go" drop down and select "Computer"

Office Documents

Windows 7/Vista: Files such as

Mac: