Ubuntu
nautilus package

how do I copy my /home directory to an external drive?

Asked by Don Toman

This is probably the Nth time someone has asked this...but I can't find a simple and straightforward answer.

I want to do a clean new install of Ubuntu.
1. How do I copy my /home directory to an external USB-connected hard drive?
2. Assuming I've managed to make the copy and have done a fresh install from a live CD, how do I restore my original /home directory?

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

You can boot to liveCD and copy the data as it will not be in use, simply use the same process to restore the data. You may need to chown the data to the new user if you use a different username to your first user.

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Don Toman (dad-don) said : 		#2

You're assuming that I know how to do something as simple as copying the /home directory.
I don't. Be specific, please.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#3

Its a directory... I'm sure you have copied and pasted a directory before. It's that simple....

right click -> copy

open destination

right click -> paste

The nautilus window will hae all the partitions on the left which you can mount by clicking?

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Don Toman (dad-don) said : 		#4

Yes. But when I right click on "copy" on the /home directory, the
function is not available.
There must be a permission that I'm missing and I don't know how to fix
it.

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Jeet (gour-jitendrasingh) said : 		#5

if you logged on using different user rather then root you may face permission problem.

try this
sudo chown <your-user> /home directory

try once again if you fail let us know

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