Which folders should be copied when performing a manual backup? I know that Time Machine and various backup softwares can be used to save some or all Mac data.

However, if I don't want to use any of them and simply copy data to an external hard drive, which folders should be saved?

The only list of suggested folders to backup that I found is this one:


Macintosh HD/Users/ : users data
Macintosh HD/Applications : (optional) applications
Macintosh HD/Library/ : (optional) some applications preferences


Is this accurate or is there any other folder that should be copied ?
The /Users folder is the most important, thats where all your personal data is kept.

The items in /Applications folder can always be re-downloaded but won't hurt to back them up too. Pay special attention to the apps that can't be easily obtained by downloading from the Mac App Store or from their web-site, like older version of app, an app no longer available from the developer/publisher or a self build app.