Today is World Backup Day, a made up holiday to encourage file backup. If you have been looking for a good way to backup your data, or never thought about it, today is a great day to start! While creating file backups are not required, it is definitely one of the best things you can do. According to Boston Computing, “31% of PC users have lost all of their files due to events beyond their control.” 1https://www.bostoncomputing.net/consultation/databackup/statistics/
Backing up your files have never been easier and the options can fit any budget or need. Let’s take a look at the two methods for file backups; local backup and cloud backup.
Local File Backups
Using a thumb drive, external hard drive, or Network Area Storage (NAS) is a great place to start for data reliability and it doesn’t require a subscription. Depending on your needs these options can range from inexpensive (thumb drive) to pricey (NAS).
The Drag’n Drop Method
Thumb drives and external hard drives are the simplest way to back up your important data; plug it in, copy* the files from your computer to the drive, and you’re done!
*Make sure you copy files and not move files; you want to make a backup of your files and not just move them. By default Windows will copy files when the destination is a different drive than the source.
Windows File History
File History comes preinstalled on all modern versions of Windows and does a great job keeping your files safe and protected. File History works by creating a cloned copy of your files on a separate drive and provides file versioning for extra safety.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
The Default Settings:
Every hour your personal files will be backed up and a new file version created for changes.
Proprietary Software
Using the software included with your external hard drive or NAS, is a simple way to get backups running quickly. After a short install and a few prompts, your precious files will start syncing to your drive of choice.
Don’t worry if you lost, or deleted, the software before installing it. You can simply download it from the manufacturer’s website again.
Cloud File Backups
Cloud options fall into one of two categories: Cloud Storage and Cloud Backup. The biggest difference between them is accessibility of data. Cloud Storage offers a web portal where documents and files can be viewed, modified and changed; however, Cloud Backup only backs up data and offers the ability to down files and not modify online.
Cloud Storage Service
Cloud Storage is a great option if you have small amounts of data or need to view/edit the files from a web portal. OneDrive, Google Drive, DropBox, among others, all offer a free tier for storing your files online. While the space is limited, it’s a great option for storing files you need easy remote access to. If you need more space all the companies are more than happy to take your money for more storage space.
Cloud Backup Service
Cloud Backup as a service has become more popular and offers a better pricing structure than Cloud Storage. It is a great tool for lots of data that does not need to be accessed remotely. Pricing ranges wildly between providers, as well as features, but they all do the same basic thing, backing your data up to the cloud!