Backing up your CNU Computer
This article will provide detailed instructions and guidance on how to back up your CNU computer.
While there are multiple methods users can use to back up CNU-owned computers, any user who utilizes sensitive data should back up their data or make sure it is hosted on either \\files or a CNU-managed Google Drive account. Sensitive data should not be backed up using any other method. This is per university standards regarding Data Protection, Media Protection, and Email protection. If you have any questions, please reach out to 757-594-7079 or email the Helpdesk at helpdesk@cnu.edu
Windows backup methods and guidance:
File History: To set up File History on a Windows 11 PC, connect your backup device then Press the Windows key and start typing “Control Panel.”
Click on Control Panel.
Search for and select Back up using the File History under the “File History” header. Select the location you wish to use for your backups.
NOTE: This backup method only creates a local copy of the backup on your chosen storage location. This file should then be stored on either the CNU \\files drive or a CNU Google Drive account. For efficiency, we recommend pointing this backup method directly towards a CNU \\files drive, rather than external storage.
Google Desktop: We also make the Google Drive desktop application available to everyone via the Company Portal. This application allows you to sync your files to your Google account associated with CNU. For more information about this application, we’ve included a link to the download for Drive for Desktop here, and also provide documentation on its setup here.
CNU Files Drive: You can utilize the CNU \\files drive to back up any local information you may have on your computer. This method involves selecting the files you wish to backup and then copying them into a newly created folder in your \\files\personal drive. You can find out how to connect to your \\files drive by reading this document here.
At this time, the quota for personal drives is 25 GB. It is suitable for temporary file storage and transfer but not intended for large computer backups.
MacOS backup methods and guidance:
Google Desktop: We also make the Google Drive desktop application available to everyone via Self Service. This application allows you to sync your files to your Google account associated with CNU. For more information about this application, we’ve included a link to the Google site here, and also provide documentation on its setup here.
CNU Files Drive: You can utilize the CNU \\files drive to back up any local information you may have on your computer. This method involves selecting the files you wish to backup and then copying them into a newly created folder in your \\files\personal drive. You can find out how to connect to your \\files drive by reading this document here.
At this time, the quota for personal drives is 25 GB. It is suitable for temporary file storage and transfer but not intended for large computer backups.