{"id":2831,"date":"2025-08-18T13:18:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T17:18:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/?page_id=2831"},"modified":"2026-02-11T12:14:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T17:14:54","slug":"computer-backups-for-reimage","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/knowledge-base\/computer-backups-for-reimage\/","title":{"rendered":"Computer Backups for Reimage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Engineering IT performs the normal service of computer reimaging as part of initial setup, OS upgrades, and attempts to fix issues. This process involves wiping the computer’s storage disk of all folders and files.<\/p>\n

When an in-use computer is reimaged, we recommend that users check to ensure that all locally-saved data is backed up before<\/strong> we take the computer. Files that are saved on network storage do not need to be backed up, as they will not be deleted in the disk wipe. This includes the various ENGNAS Drives (N, U, V, W, X)<\/a>, as well as the User folders (except Downloads) for any login that uses BU credentials on DESKTOP computers. (For laptops it depends on how they are configured.)<\/p>\n

Files saved outside these network drives or a desktop’s BU-login User folders are NOT already backed up, and any needed<\/span> files must be backed up by the computer’s users using one of the two methods described below.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Lastly, if you have a computer with additional storage disks (which may have dedicated purposes), please let us know before<\/strong> imaging. We can disconnect these drives so that they are not wiped during the reimage process. This will save you the need for backing up any data on these drives.<\/p>\n

Note: the best way to save your browser bookmarks is to sign into whichever browser you use to sync your bookmarks across computers.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

If you have any questions or concerns about backing up your data, please reach out to us in your current ticket or create a new one by emailing enghelp@bu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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CrashPlan (Recommended - Faculty\/Staff Only)<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

There is a lot more information about CrashPlan on TechWeb.<\/a> The guide below is meant as a simple reference for the backup and restore processes. Students are not eligible for access to CrashPlan and should back up their files to a network drive manually.<\/p>\n

Note: deleting files on the synced computer will also remove them from the backup archive. Do not delete files prior to reimaging<\/em><\/p>\n

Backup<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Launch the CrashPlan desktop app\"\"<\/li>\n
  2. Sign in using your BU email address, which will launch a browser window to continue the process\"\"<\/li>\n
  3. Select Add New Device\"\"<\/strong><\/li>\n
  4. Click Manage Files…<\/strong>\"\"<\/li>\n
  5. Select all local user profiles that need to be backed up\"\"<\/li>\n
  6. By clicking on a specific user folder, you can select only the subfolders that need to be backed up. The ‘Application Data’ and ‘Downloads’ folders tend to bloat the backup, so uncheck those if not needed\"\"<\/li>\n
  7. Click Save<\/strong> and wait for the backup to complete\"\"<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Restore<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Launch the CrashPlan desktop app\"\"<\/li>\n
    2. Sign in using your BU email address, which will launch a browser window to continue the process\"\"<\/li>\n
    3. Select Replace Existing<\/strong> and proceed through wizard\"\"<\/li>\n
    4. Choose the previous device with the backup files you wish to restore; then hit Continue\"\"<\/strong><\/li>\n
    5. Choose Select Files<\/strong>\"\"<\/li>\n
    6. Select the folders you would like to restore\"\"<\/li>\n
    7. Remember to select other Users if those were backed up too. Once all desired folders have been selected, click Restore Files…<\/strong> and select your preferred restore location\"\"<\/strong><\/li>\n
    8. The selected files will start to download and display their progress. Repeat this process until all needed files have been restored\"\"<\/li>\n
    9. Continue ONLY if you no longer need<\/span><\/strong> the backup from the previous device. Otherwise close the application and return to it later. Continuing will overwrite the old backup with a backup of the new system\"\"<\/li>\n
    10. Click Finish<\/strong> to run the initial backup\"\"<\/li>\n
    11. Remove the license<\/a> from the old device on your CrashPlan account<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

       <\/p>\n

      Manual Copy<\/h4>
      <\/p>\n

      If you only have a few known locations of local files or would prefer to perform the backup manually, you can simply copy them to a backup location.<\/p>\n

      Common locations of locally saved files are:<\/p>\n