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 and if you back up this file locations, you will take with it the previously listed items.
Windows 7/Vista: Open "Computer". Double click on your C: Drive. Here there will be folder entitled "Users". You can save all the users as a whole. Or Open this folder to find each individual user on the computer.
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". Here there will be folder entitled "Users". You can save all the users as a whole. Or Open this folder to find each individual user on the computer.
Word Processor and Office Documents
Windows 7/Vista: Follow the General User Data. Once there, click on your desired user and then click "Documents".
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 "Documents". If you are saving documents from another user other than the one that you are logged in as, follow the instructions under General User Data above and select the "Documents" folder once you have selected the User folder you would like to back up from.
Itunes Library
Windows 7/Vista: Follow General User Data instructions. Under the desired user folder, click on "Music". There should be a folder entitled "Itunes Library".
Mac OS X: Follow General User Data instructions. Under the desired user folder, click on "Music". You will be backing up the folder "iTunes".
Application Data
Applications such as mail clients and purchased third party software commonly do not save their files in your user accounts. It is important to reference these programs specifically for their default save locations. See below for a couple common needs.
Outlook Contacts
Windows 7/Vista and Mac OS X: Follow microsoft specific instructions Outlook Contacts Backup