> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bentowise.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Back Up & Move a Vault

Because a Vault is simply a local folder, the most direct way to back up Bentowise is to **copy the entire Vault folder**.

You can copy it to:

* another drive or backup device
* another computer
* a NAS
* cloud storage or another location

As long as the Vault structure is preserved, your Boards, Notes, imported images, attachments, and other local content will move with it.

## What Moves with the Vault

In general, anything physically stored inside the Vault will be copied along with it.

This includes:

* Boards and their layouts
* Notes
* images imported into the Vault
* file attachments stored in the Vault
* Templates and other Bentowise local data

If you open the copied Vault on another device, Bentowise can continue working with these local resources.

## What Does Not Move

Not everything visible on a Board is necessarily stored inside the Vault.

Some Blocks only contain a **reference to an external resource**.

For example:

* webpages
* online documents or videos
* shortcuts to files outside the Vault
* other external links or shortcuts

When you copy the Vault, the link or shortcut itself is preserved, but the external resource it points to is **not automatically copied**.

A webpage still depends on the internet and on the original page remaining available. A shortcut to a local file outside the Vault will still depend on that file existing and being accessible on the new device.

## For a Complete Backup

If a resource is important to your long-term research and you want it to travel with the Vault, consider storing it as an image or file attachment inside the Vault rather than keeping only an external link or shortcut.

A simple rule to remember is:

**Stored in the Vault → moves with the Vault.**
**Linked from outside → the reference moves, but the resource may not.**

This is the most important distinction to keep in mind when backing up or moving a Vault.