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Make a Backup Plan

There may be other locations in each of these versions of Windows where your data may be stored, but these are the most common locations. Take the time to find each file location and make a note of the location someplace so you can find it again without a lot of searching.

Make a habit of backing up the important files on a daily basis to avoid important data loss in the event of a catastrophe later.

What is important to you is what you should backup. Only you can determine which files should be backed up.


Where Are My Files Located on Windows?

Please note, in order to view some of the file locations you will need to enable viewing hidden files and folders.

Windows XP

Most of your data files are located in the 'My Documents' folder. However there are some exceptions!

Favorites in Internet Explorer are located in another location besides 'My Documents'. On my Windows XP computer they are located here: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Favorites. Your location may have your name instead of 'Owner'.

Bookmarks in Firefox are included in the Firefox Profile. My profile is located in this location:
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\ApplicationData\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\jo4204k0.default.
Your location may vary, but it will be very similar.

Outlook Express will also be located in a location not in My Documents, mine is located here: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{3AD55CAF-ACC5-4B9F-9529-C6BB656E27AC}\Microsoft\Outlook Express.  However, you can move your Outlook Express Folder to 'My Documents' by following the instructions on Backing Up Email. Don't forget to backup your Address Book; instructions are also located on the Backing Up Email page.

If you use Microsoft Outlook (not Outlook Express), the path to the .pst file is like this on my computer: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft/Outlook. Outlook stores everything in one file, the .pst file.

Other files you need to keep may also be located in C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\.

Documents such as Office files, videos, photos will normally be located in 'My Documents'.

Windows Vista

Windows Vista stores many files in the 'Documents' folder, including the Windows Mail files. Your Address Book for Windows Mail is in a folder named Contacts. However a lot of other files are located in a folder named 'App Data'.

Firefox has my profile here: Martha/AppData/Roaming/Mozilla/Firefox/Profiles/jo4204k0

Internet Explorer doesn't use AppData for Favorites, Favorites are stored here: Computer/Local Disk (C:)/Users/Your Name/Favorites

If you use Outlook (Not Windows Mail) the .pst file is saved in AppData using this path: User Name/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Outlook