Copy files

Windows Explorer is good for copying a small number of files to common backup storage media (network-connected disk drives and external disk drives).

Copy data to a network drive Copy data to an external drive Copy data to a USB flash drive

Note: This option is not recommended for large amounts of data, as space on the network drives is limited.

  1. Right-click Start > and click Explore > Open Windows Explorer.
  2.  In the new window that appears:
    • Locate the files and folders that you want to copy.
    • Locate the network drive (F: or G:) in the Folders pane.
      NOTE: The F: drive option is only available to UCT students.
    • Drag and drop the files and folders to the network drive.
  3. A copy of the file or folder will be located on the network drive.
  4. Repeat step 2 if there are additional files or folders to copy.
  1. Connect the external drive to a USB port on your computer.
  2. Right-click Start and click Explore > Open Windows Explorer.
  3. In the new window that appears:
    • Locate the files and folders that you want to copy.
    • Locate your external drive in the Folders pane.
    • Drag and drop the files and folders to the external drive.
  4.  A copy of the file or folder will now be located on the external drive.
  5.  Repeat step 3 if there are additional files or folders to copy.

Note: This option is suitable for transferring files between computers, but it is not recommended as a backup solution.

  1. Insert the flash drive into a USB port on your computer.
  2. Right-click Start and click Explore > Open Windows Explorer.
  3. In the new window that appears:
    • Locate the files and folders that you want to copy.
    • Locate your flash drive in the Folders pane.
    • Drag and drop the files and folders to the flash drive.
  4. A copy of the file or folder will now be located on the flash drive.
  5. Repeat step 3 if there are more files or folders you want to copy.

Sync files

Google Drive

  • Store your documents and media files online
  • Share files with colleagues, students, family or friends
  • Access information from any device no matter where you are in the world
  • Install the Google Drive client on your PC or Mac and sync files between your machine and web

NOTE: This is not allowed on lab computers, kiosks or any other shared computers.

OneDrive for Business

OneDrive allows you to save all your files and folders in one central location online. You can then access your data no matter where you are on your computer, laptop or mobile device.

UCT staff are allocated 1TB of storage space.

MS SyncToy

This application synchronises files and folders between locations while also creating backups.

There are three sync options you can choose from:

  • Synchronise: New and updated files are copied both ways. If a file is renamed or deleted on either side, the change will be repeated on the other side.
  • One-way synchronisation: Echo: New and updated files are copied only from the source to the destination. If a file is renamed or deleted at the source, the change will be repeated at the destination. At the destination, if new files are added, or new files are updated or deleted, the change will not be repeated at the source.
  • One-way synchronisation: Contribute: New and updated files are copied from the source to the destination. If a file is renamed on the source, the change will be repeated at the destination. However, if a file is deleted at the source, it will not be deleted at the destination.

Follow the steps below to install SyncToy. Before you begin you have to ensure that you are logged on to the UCT network.

  1. Double-click the ZENworks Application Folder on your desktop.
  2. In the left hand panel select [All] > and click MS SyncToy 2.1.
  3. Click Accept twice when prompted.
  4. Read the IMPORTANT warning and select the I have read and understand the warning above checkbox > click Next.
  5. Select the I Agree checkbox > click Next.
  6. Select the folder you want to install the program to.
    • Select whether SyncToy should be installed for Everyone or Just me > click Next.
  7. Click Next on the Confirm Installation > Close

To access SyncToy, click Start > All Programs > SyncToy 2.1.

Backup and Restore in Windows 7

Back up your files

NOTE: If you've already set a regular scheduled backup, you don't need to perform the manual procedure above.

Do not back up your files to the same hard disk that Windows is installed on. Always use external media, such as an external hard drive.

  1. If you're saving your backup to external media, connect the drive to your computer.
  2. Click Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore.
  3. Select the applicable Backup and Restore option.
    • If you've created a backup before, click Backup now to manually create a new backup. If prompted, enter or confirm the administrator password..
    • If it's your first time creating a backup, click Set up backup. Follow the steps in the Set up backup wizard to backup your data and set a backup schedule. If prompted, enter or confirm the administrator password.
  4. Your backup is complete and a regular backup has been scheduled.
Restore files from backup
  1. If you're saving your backup to external media, connect the drive to your computer.
  2. Click Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore.
  3. Click Restore my files.
    • Note: To restore the files of all users that use the computer, click Restore all users' files.
  4. If prompted, enter or confirm the administrator password.