Switching from WD Drive to 128GB Flash Drive backup

[Triple_Se7en]

Wanting to continue backing-up my OS Dell desktop (C-drive). There's 845GB free out of 918GB available. So I'm figuring a 128GB flash-drive is enough.

I'm switching because WD Drive does not backup Program Files...... Apps..... Firefox Bookmarks.....etc.
(For instance) If my six year-old Dell desktop died later today, how would I keep my 250 Bookmark links? How would I keep my couple different Word Programs,.....etc. This stuff is not found on my exterior WD Backup Drive.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

ooops...
Just noticed this topic is not inside the Computers Board here and I have no means to Delete this thread.
Can a moderator please move this thread over there.
Thanks!

 

[Blueskies123]

With Windows 10 I do an image backup to get all the files the regular backup does not pick up.

 

[doitmyself]

Google "Firefox bookmark backup" for super easy manual backup.

 

[paulri]

I would look up cloning software (that can also restore from a clone)--I'm not sure if you can simply copy the program files folder onto another drive, and then copy it back onto a new hard drive or computer if your first computer goes on the blink. I'd ask around, but when I was looking into this, that is what I was told. From your OP I wasn't sure if you were talking about using cloning software or not--it didn't look like it.

I keep the installation files for any program that I've paid for, so I can simply reinstall them if need be, and I also periodically back up my Firefox profile as well. If all you want is just your bookmarks, you can make a .json backup file from within Firefox itself very quickly. Backing up passwords and history and bookmarks is a bit more complicated but it is only 3-4 files that need to be located and then copied.

 

[spackard]

At least with FF, you create an online account with them and sync everything to their cloud.
To restore, you install FF, re-authenticate to the cloud, and done.

 

[BrocLuno]

I use Macrium Reflect to make a clone of C drive. If the existing HDD goes down, I just pop in the clone and keep going. Do it about every three months or so, so that I don't have to wade through endless updates and patches, etc.

I use SATA 250 GB SSD's for the PC and the clones in an external enclosure (USB). It takes about 20~30 minutes to make a clone and I'm good with everything

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted by BrocLuno
I use Macrium Reflect to make a clone of C drive. If the existing HDD goes down, I just pop in the clone and keep going. Do it about every three months or so, so that I don't have to wade through endless updates and patches, etc.

I use SATA 250 GB SSD's for the PC and the clones in an external enclosure (USB). It takes about 20~30 minutes to make a clone and I'm good with everything

My Western Digital is likely similar to your SATA SSD.
In discussing Macrium Reflect, does it copy browser files and files like WordPad, Jarte Processer and PDF Viewer Plus? If not, then how do I save Documents inside these three I just mentioned, when/if my Dell desktop suddenly dies?

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted by spackard
At least with FF, you create an online account with them and sync everything to their cloud.
To restore, you install FF, re-authenticate to the cloud, and done.


I had no idea an account with Firefox is needed. I've been using their browser for at least 15 years. Thanks, for I'll sign-up for one and learn how to save my Bookmarks for emergency backups.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Originally Posted by Triple_Se7en
ooops...
Just noticed this topic is not inside the Computers Board here and I have no means to Delete this thread.
Can a moderator please move this thread over there.
Thanks!



Just another good reason for BITOG not to manage us like a bunch of 3 year olds.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

My thread is still here. So evidently I did pick the correct Room to start this thread.
BTW.... thanks to everyone else that also replied..... John, Paul, doitmyself and blueskies.

 

[Garak]

As far as Firefox goes, I just copy and paste the little user profile directory, which keeps all my preferences and bookmarks. I've gone through a few complete OS reinstalls, and just done that

 

[Andrew1972]

You definitely want to setup a Firefox account as an easy backup system: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/accounts/features/

The nice part is you can login any computer with Firefox running and get all your bookmarks there. Just make sure to log off other PC when done.