Backing Up Your Desktop to Your U-Drive

Introduction

While files stored in your computer's "Documents" folder are automatically backed up to your "U:" Drive, this is not the case for files saved directly on the desktop. To ensure that these files are also backed up to your "U:" Drive, please follow the instructions below:

Instructions

1. Open File Explorer by using the "Windows Button + E" keyboard shortcut or by right-clicking the "Start" button (i.e., the Windows icon at the bottom-left of the desktop) and selecting "File Explorer".
2. Click on "Desktop" on the left-hand side of the "File Explorer" window.
3. Select the files that you want to back up. To select multiple items, hold down the "Control" key while left-clicking or left-click on the empty space in the window and drag the mouse over the items you wish to select.
4. Right-click on one of the selected files and click "Copy"; this will add all selected files to the clipboard for pasting into a new location later.
5. Click on "Documents" on the left-hand side of the "File Explorer" window.
6. Right-click in an empty space and select "New > Folder". Name the folder "Desktop Backup".
7. Open the folder that you just created by left-clicking it.
8. Right-click in the folder and select "Paste".

Additional Notes

• Following the instructions above is only necessary for files saved directly on your desktop; it is not necessary to back up shortcuts.
  • Shortcuts stored in backups often break upon restoration (i.e. by pointing to a file that has been moved, an application that is no longer installed, etc.) and can be easily re-created in most cases.
• The instructions above are broadly applicable to backing up other folders (e.g., "Documents", "Pictures", etc.) to your U-Drive.