Data Storage Options for Windows Computers

Owned by Craig Johnson
Last updated: Nov, 17, 2023 by Helpdesker Helpdesker
2 min read

Students, Faculty, and Staff have a variety of option for data storage.  The difference between the options below is whether or not your data is backed up

Data Storage Options

Flash / USB / Thumb Drives

Never use these devices as the only storage location for a file. While great for temporary storage and for moving files from location to location, these drives tend to fail at the most inopportune time.  We see this at least once per term

 

On your personally owned Windows computer hard disk

  • This is the default storage location for the vast majority of personally owned computers

  • Hard disk sizes on laptops and desktops very wildly, with 1 TB or higher drives becoming popular - especially for desktops

  • While handy, this method is susceptible to the failure of the hard disks. The question is not if, but when a drive will fail

  • Solid State Drives (SSD) are also becoming very popular. While very quick and reliable, the risk of total data loss is significant if the drive fails

  • You need to have a backup solution in place

 

On your college-issued Windows computer

  • By default, the folder redirection process places items placed desktop or in My Documents is stored on the College's servers. These servers are backed up nightly

  • If you work on a full-fledged computer, you may store data on the local hard disk. However, data stored on the local hard disk is NOT backed up by ITS

  • Laptops will sync to your redirected folders each time you connect to the campus network, Your data will be backed up that night

 

"Home Accounts" on Faculty, Staff, or Student Servers

  • Directly associated with folder redirection, Home Accounts offer data storage on Knox's servers.  The amount of storage you have available is defined by your role at the College.  The storage may be upped for valid academic or business needs

    • Faculty:  20 GB

    • Staff: 10 GB

    • Students 10 GB

  • Data stored on your home account is backed up nightly

  • See here for instructions on accessing your home account

 

Departmental Accounts

  • Departmental Accounts are available for users to store data which needs to be shared members of a department

  • Storage in these locations is limited to available space on College servers

  • See here for instructions on accessing Departmental Accounts

 

Google Drive / Google Drive File Stream

  • As a Google Apps for Education institution, all Students, Faculty, and Staff have unlimited data storage while formally attending or working for the College

  • Google Drive File Stream in access method in which your Google Drive appears as a "Drive Letter" (Windows) or Folder (Mac) on your computer

  • Data stored on Google servers is constantly backup across multiple servers

  • See here for more information using Google Drive and Google Drive File Stream

 

 

For assistance with an issue, please contact the Knox College ITS Help Desk.
Log into MyKnox and search this link: https://my.knox.edu/ICS/Help_Desk/