Not sure what to back up, how much storage you need or which type of storage makes sense? These guides explain computer backups and storage choices in plain English, with an emphasis on protecting important files without making the process more complicated than it needs to be.
You will also find guidance on OneDrive, external SSDs and hard drives, USB flash drives, and the difference between cloud syncing and having an independent backup.
The 3-2-1 backup rule is a simple way to reduce the risk of losing important files if your computer, backup drive or even your home is affected by a problem. Despite the name, you do not need three external drives or a complicated home server. The idea is simply to keep several copies of important … Read more
If you’re wondering whether to leave an external backup drive connected to your computer, the answer depends mainly on how you make your backups. But disconnecting the drive when it is not being used gives your backup more separation from problems that affect the computer. For most home users, the right choice depends on how … Read more
If you need to restore files from a backup in Windows 11, the right method depends on how the backup was created. You may have copied files manually to an external drive, used File History, created a backup with Backup and Restore, or protected files through OneDrive. You usually do not need to restore your … Read more
Windows Backup vs File History can be confusing in Windows 11 because both features are still available. They may sound like two versions of the same thing, but they protect your files in different ways and store the backup in different places. Windows Backup is mainly tied to your Microsoft account and OneDrive, while File … Read more
How often should you back up your home computer? There is no single schedule that suits everyone. A sensible backup frequency depends mainly on how often your important files change and how much recent work you would be unhappy to lose if your computer or storage drive suddenly failed. For many home users, a daily … Read more
A backup can look as though it is working without telling you everything you need to know. A successful status message is reassuring, but the more useful question is whether the backup contains the files you expect and whether you can get one back when you need it. You do not need to delete an … Read more
You can back up files to an external drive in Windows 11 without installing extra backup software. For a simple backup, you can copy your important files and folders to the drive using File Explorer. If you want Windows to keep making updated copies for you, File History is the better built-in option. The important … Read more
What files should you back up? Start with the ones you would struggle to replace. You do not normally need to copy every file on a home computer. For most people, that means documents, photos, videos and other personal files before Windows or programs that can usually be reinstalled. Quick answer: Back up files that … Read more
A USB flash drive and an external SSD can both give you extra storage that plugs into your computer. At first glance, the main difference may seem to be that one is tiny and the other comes in a small box with a cable. For most home users, the USB flash drive vs external SSD … Read more
How much storage do you need for a computer backup? Do not automatically start with the size printed on your laptop or PC. A computer with a 1TB drive might contain only 300GB of files and other data that you actually want to protect. The useful starting point is how much data needs backing up, … Read more