[jsmith99]

It's approaching the time when I should do my first back-up since installing Chrome.

I've found out that I can backup Bookmarks, and it looks straightforward.

However, a search on backing up Cookies gives many different results - from "Chrome doesn't use cookies" to "it's an encrypted SQL file" to "download my software and manage cookies".

Well, Chrome certainly seems to use cookies - I have an icon on my screen telling me how many have been installed.

Also, Ccleaner is definitely finding them, and they relate to recent web pages.

So can I back them up? It's not actually that important if I can't - if I re-installed Windows I'd just have to log in afresh to a lot of websites.

[Anjomo]

Everything including cookies is, as far as I know, in the "default" folder which is here

C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default

Copying the entire folder saves all your personalisations.

I have to confess that I've never bothered checking the cookies file though.

[jsmith99]

Thanks, Anjomo - I can get down as far as C:\Users\username, but there's no sign of a sub-folder AppData, or anything similar.

I'm on Windows 7 64bit : does this make a difference?

[Anjomo]

Search your C drive for %appdata%

That will lead to local (the one you want), local low and roaming

Hope that helps, I'm never very good at explaining this stuff

PS have you realised that the Chrome sync feature will back up your bookmarks, passwords, add ons and preferences just by signing in with a Google account. Assuming you don't mind giving Google that data it is the easiest way by a mile. I just tested it and it logged me back into Gmail automatically, so I don't care if I lose cookies.
Look in the tools (3 bars) menu for "sign in to Chrome".

[jsmith99]

Thanks Anjomo

I did a search '%appdata%', this led me to something called "Roaming", but that just led to C:\ User\username.

I've never heard of 'Chrome sync', so now I'll have to investigate the pros and cons of opening a Google account.

I've also discovered I have a problem trying to do two backups to two external hard drives, using a sync program - I'm opening a separate thread on this.

[Anjomo]

OK. My lousy explanation is to blame

Search instead for %localappdata%, then double click Google, then Chrome, followed by User data. The default folder should now be top of the list. Copying it effectively saves your settings.
Restoring them will be a repeat of the above but pasting instead of copying.

See why I like syncing so much? It is so easy by comparison. i.e. sign in and forget about it forever

The basics of syncing are here https://support.google.com/chrome/bi...3469&ctx=topic

[jsmith99]

Hi Anjomo

Searching for %localappdata% gives me more results every time I try it : the first time I got one folder called "local". However, this just led to C:\Windows, and then down to User\username.

The second time, two folders called "local". The third and fourth time, extra folders called "local low". These did at least lead to a set of folders, including one called "Google". However, this turned out to be empty.

I've read the link you provided, and, to be honest, I think it's getting far too complicated for my pretty basic web requirements. I can't really see any advantage worth having to sign into Chrome and Google, and then worry about where my data's going to.

So thanks for all the advice - I do appreciate it, even if I don't follow it.

[iangrad]

Not really any need to backup chrome as if you are signed into your Google account everything is fully synced .
Lets look at a worst case event : your PC is wrecked or stolen .
Get new PC install chrome and sign back into you account and you are back as you were .

[jsmith99]

Thanks, iangrad, but as I said earlier I can see no personal advantages in having google and chrome accounts.

If my PC were wrecked or stolen I'd just have to log in again to various websites - I have a passwords file which is encrypted and backed up.

[Anjomo]

That is fair enough. You'll get no argument from me.

As I said, I like sync for its convenience, but in truth I feel uneasy trusting Google. I don't believe they ever set out to cause any harm, but they are so powerful now and that can lead to all sorts of "unfortunate" places!

Sorry you can't find that folder. I'm afraid I don't understand why.

[jsmith99]

I think it's something to do with making the folder visible to Windows Explorer: I was running some antivirus checker this afternoon, and noticed that I could see paths such as C:\Users\username\appdata\R....

However, I've discovered that I have a bigger problem : I've spent all afternoon reading up on backup software because I've found out that I can't make two backups because the first one unsets the archive bit ....

[curiousclive]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmith99

Thanks, Anjomo - I can get down as far as C:\Users\username, but there's no sign of a sub-folder AppData, or anything similar.

I'm on Windows 7 64bit : does this make a difference?

need to go into organize/ folder options / view and untick hide system folders before it will show to find it.

[jsmith99]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anjomo

Everything including cookies is, as far as I know, in the "default" folder which is here

C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default

Copying the entire folder saves all your personalisations.

I have to confess that I've never bothered checking the cookies file though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by curiousclive

need to go into organize/ folder options / view and untick hide system folders before it will show to find it.

Thanks, curiousclive, that enabled me to follow Anjomo's lead. And in ................UserData\Default I found 588 files in 230 folders. So I'm going to leave them well alone.

[Anjomo]

Glad you found it.
You don't need to touch anything.
It's up to you, but I would empty the cache and history from within Chrome first.
I don't imagine you want to back those up, then just copy the entire default folder to your backup location. Job done.

[Popadopalous]

Google has probably already backed up your cookies without your knowledge.

[jsmith99]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anjomo

Glad you found it.
You don't need to touch anything.
It's up to you, but I would empty the cache and history from within Chrome first..............

I quite like the Chrome History, it gives you more useful information than the IE one does. Though I don't know for how long a period it keeps the history,I can't find anywhere where I can set a period.

And I've never found out how to clear a cache, whether in Windows or IE.

Thanks, but I think I'll just stick to losing cookies if anything goes wrong. Unless .....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popadopalous

Google has probably already backed up your cookies without your knowledge.

And any idea where that would be to?

[Anjomo]

History is kept for 10 weeks.
http://support.google.com/chrome/bin...4666&ctx=topic

The cache builds up indefinitely afaik and can eventually slow the browser down.
http://support.google.com/chrome/bin...4666&ctx=topic

Popadopalous was referring to Googles (in)famous privacy record.

[jsmith99]

Thanks again, Anjomo, I've had a look at those.

I've cleared my history and cache, though I prefer to rely on Ccleaner to clear the cookies I don't want to keep.