Differences

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--- backing_up_browser_data [2014/12/18 09:44] – Added guide to set up Firefox sync. abrashear
+++ backing_up_browser_data [2017/08/24 09:41] – Removed instructions to backup profiles. I'm not sure it's a good idea to have folks messing with their profiles. They can find that info elsewhere if they need it. abrashear
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+====== Backing Up Browser Data ======
 Browser data can be just as important as your files. However, it does not live in your Documents folder so backing it up might not be straightforward at times. Often times each browser has its own way of storing and exporting its data. Most browsers have two ways to export data, depending on your needs you can decide what method to use.
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   - Find and select your bookmarks file, then click "Open".
   - Chrome will add your bookmarks to a folder named "Imported. From here, you can use the Bookmark Manager to move your bookmarks from that folder if you like.
-===== Backing Up a Chrome Profile =====
-To back up your whole Chrome profile, which includes passwords, bookmarks, and other preferences, follow these steps:
-  - If Chrome is running, close it.
-  - Open an explorer window either by clicking "Computer" in the Start Menu or using the shortcut Windows Key + E.
-  - In the address part of the explorer window, type //%localappdata%// and hit enter.
-  - Find the "Google" folder, and then inside of it, the "Chrome" folder.
-  - Copy the "User Data" folder to another location (such as a flash drive). It is this folder that contains your Chrome profile.
-  - Once the copy is complete, you have successfully backed up your Chrome profile.
-===== Restoring a Chrome Profile =====
-You can restore a Chrome profile by copying the "User Data" folder you backed up to it's proper location.
-  - If Chrome is running, close it.
-  - Open an explorer window either by clicking "Computer" in the Start Menu or using the shortcut Windows Key + E.
-  - In the address part of the explorer window, type //%localappdata%// and hit enter.
-  - Find the "Google" folder, and then inside of it, the "Chrome" folder.
-  - Delete the existing "User Data" folder.
-    - **Warning:** This will delete the current Chrome profile on the machine!
-  - Copy the "User Data" folder from the backup you made to the Chrome folder you have open.
-  - Once the copy completes, you have successfully restored a Chrome profile. The next time you launch Chrome, all of your settings should be restored.
-====== Internet Explorer ======
-In Internet Explorer, you can back up your Favorites by backing up the "Favorites" folder in your user profile folder. When you copy your entire profile folder as instructed in [[students:backing_up_data|Backing Up Data]], you are also backing up your Internet Explorer favorites.
-You cannot easily back up your entire Internet Explorer profile. This option is left as an exercise for the reader.
-===== Backing Up Internet Explorer Favorites =====
-You can back up //only// your Internet Explorer favorites with the following steps:
-  - Close Internet Explorer if it is open.
-  - Open the Start Menu and click your username in the top right.
-  - Select the "Favorites" folder.
-  - Copy the Favorites folder to another location (such as a flash drive, or into your documents folder.
-===== Restoring Internet Explorer Favorites =====
-To restore your Internet Explorer favorites, you need to copy the Favorites folder you backed up to the Favorites folder in your user profile. This is done with these steps:
-  - Close Internet Explorer if it is open.
-  - Open the Start Menu and click your username in the top right.
-  - Copy the Favorites folder you backed up to your profile folder by pasting or dragging it into blank space.
-  - You will be asked if you want to merge the two folders, select yes.
-    - If asked to overwrite any files, go ahead and click yes.
 ====== Mozilla Firefox ======
-Firefox users can either back up their bookmarks only, or back up their entire profile. Backing up your entire profile is more complicated, but includes bookmarks, passwords, and preferences.
+Firefox users can enable sync, or back up their bookmarks only. The easiest and safest way to back up your Firefox data is to set up Firefox Sync.
-The easiest and safest way to back up your Firefox data is to set up Firefox Sync.
 ===== Set Up Firefox Sync =====
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   - Select your bookmark backup file and click "Open".
   - You have successfully restored your Firefox bookmarks.
-===== Backing Up a Firefox Profile =====
-To back up your whole Firefox profile, which includes passwords, bookmarks, and other preferences, follow these steps:
-  - If Firefox is running, close it.
+====== Internet Explorer ======
-  - Open an explorer window either by clicking "Computer" in the Start Menu or using the shortcut Windows Key + E.
+In Internet Explorer, you can back up your Favorites by backing up the "Favorites" folder in your user profile folder.
-  - In the address part of the explorer window, type //%appdata%// and hit enter.
-  - Go to the "Mozilla" folder.
+===== Backing Up Internet Explorer Favorites =====
-  - Copy the "Firefox" folder to your backup location. This folder contains your Firefox profile.
+You can back up //only// your Internet Explorer favorites with the following steps:
-  - Once the copy is complete, you've successfully backed up your Firefox profile.
+  - Close Internet Explorer if it is open.
-===== Restoring a Firefox Profile =====
+  - Open the Start Menu and click your username in the top right.
-  - If Firefox is running, close it.
+  - Select the "Favorites" folder.
-  - Open an explorer window either by clicking "Computer" in the Start Menu or using the shortcut Windows Key + E.
+  - Copy the Favorites folder to another location (such as a flash drive, or into your documents folder.
-  - In the address part of the explorer window, type //%appdata%// and hit enter.
-  - Go to the "Mozilla" folder.
+===== Restoring Internet Explorer Favorites =====
-  - Delete the existing Firefox folder.
+To restore your Internet Explorer favorites, you need to copy the Favorites folder you backed up to the Favorites folder in your user profile. This is done with these steps:
-    - **Warning:** This will delete the current Firefox profile on the machine!
+  - Close Internet Explorer if it is open.
-  - Copy the Firefox folder you backed up to the Mozilla folder.
+  - Open the Start Menu and click your username in the top right.
-  - Once the copy is complete, you will have successfully restored your Firefox profile.
+  - Copy the Favorites folder you backed up to your profile folder by pasting or dragging it into blank space.
+  - You will be asked if you want to merge the two folders, select yes.
+    - If asked to overwrite any files, go ahead and click yes.