Summary
How to back up your most important data by using Chrome Accounts and Google Backup & Sync or Google Drive File Stream.
Your computer should be backed up BEFORE an issue occurs. The steps below are simple, proactive ways to make sure your most important data stays backed up in the event of an issue.
If your computer contains personal data, please back it up to a personal storage device or service.
You will not be able to restore data backed up with Time Machine to a ZenIT computer.
Sections in this Article
- Why should I back up my files?
- Chrome Accounts
- Google Backup & Sync / File Stream
- Manual Bookmarks Backup
- Google Drive
Why should I back up my files?
From time to time the only way our IT Team can fix an issue is to erase the computer and revert it back to its original configuration. This means that any information not already stored in the cloud will need to be backed up, and applications that you installed will need to be reinstalled. Below, we detail how to ensure your data is backed up correctly to ensure you don't lose anything important.
If you are not sure if your data is backed up properly, please feel free to reach out to your local IT Team. We will be happy to check this with you.
Chrome Accounts
If you are signed in, Chrome automatically backs up All bookmarks, extensions, history and passwords. This will be indicated by your first name in the top right hand corner in Chrome:

Google Backup & Sync / Drive File Stream
Google Backup & Sync / File Stream are automatic backup services that sync your information securely with your Google Drive. It's incredibly easy to keep your documents, desktop, downloads, photos and other files backed up by configuring a few settings in the app.
First, install Google Backup & Sync or Google Drive File Stream. They are available from Google here.
What's the Difference?
Google Drive File Stream is a simple tool that syncs your Google Drive to your computer.
With Google File Stream, you can:
- Quickly access your Google Drive, including Team Drive, files in Finder/Explorer
- Browse and organize Google Drive files without downloading all of them to your computer.
- Choose which files or folders you'd like to make available offline
- Open files in common apps like Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop.
Backup & Sync is much more comprehensive and allows for hands-off syncing of designated folders on your computer AND syncs your Google Drive. For this reason, we'll walk you through setting up Backup & Sync.

The Backup & Sync icon will show in your Menu Bar at the top of your screen like this:
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- Drop down the Backup & Sync menu, choose the "..." button, then choose Preferences.
There are 3 preference panes along the left-hand side:
My MacBook Pro
- Check all the folders you would like to have backed up.
- If there are other folders that are important to you that don't show in the list, click Choose Folder and add them.
- Don't upload your photos and videos to Google Photos. You can back up your pictures folder separately by making sure it's in the list of files/folders.
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