1. Backup Storage Options: Comparison

There are many storage options for your files: dedicated internal hard drive, external hard drive, USB stick, SD card, cloud servers… Let’s review the advantages and disadvantages of the main storage solutions for backing up your data.

Internal Hard Drive

• Advantages: fast access, compact, large capacity, fast transfer speeds

• Disadvantages: fragile, requires available space

External Hard Drive

• Advantages: portable, large capacity, fast transfers

• Disadvantages: fragile, takes up space

SSD

• Advantages: compact, reliable, fast transfers

• Disadvantages: limited capacity, cost

USB Stick – USB Flash Drive

• Advantages: small, portable, reliable, inexpensive

• Disadvantages: limited capacity, easy to misplace

Cloud Storage

• Advantages: no physical space needed, reliable, accessible from any device with internet

• Disadvantages: slower transfers, limited free storage, privacy concerns, requires internet. Popular services: Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Mega, Dropbox, pCloud. We recommend pCloud for excellent value.

In Windows 11, you can manage automatic backups via OneDrive in Settings → Accounts → Windows Backup.

To back up your computer on Windows, keep it simple: copy all your important folders to an external storage device, such as a portable SSD. Important ! The principle of backing up: your files should be stored in two locations. Never move your important files to an external hard drive with the intention of immediately deleting them from your PC. I’ll repeat: your files must exist in two places.

2. How to Backup Your Data

What equipment do you need?
Right-click your Pictures folder, select Properties, and check its size. Do the same for Documents. This tells you the total storage needed. Based on this, choose your backup device: USB 64GB, USB 128GB, or 1.5TB external hard drive.

To backup your files to an external drive or USB, simply copy and paste. Alternatively, right-click the folder, select More options → Send to → USB drive.

Backup the following folders:

• Documents

• Desktop

• Pictures

• Music

• Videos

• Downloads (if you keep many files there, such as PDFs or email attachments)

Tip: Use USB sticks or external SSDs for reliability. Cloud storage is another safe option with automatic synchronization.

Let’s see how to easily back up your important files on a USB flash drive. Locate the Documents and Pictures folders, then do the following: right-click / Show more options, and in the new context menu that appears: right-click on the folder / Send to / My USB drive. You can also use copy and paste (right click on a folder / Copy and then in the Flash drive rigth click / Paste).

Storing Files on a Separate Partition

We recommend storing sensitive files on a separate partition from Windows. If Windows is reinstalled, files on another partition are preserved. This avoids losing your personal data during system reinstallations. If your PC has SSD + HDD, move your personal folders to the HDD to avoid filling the small SSD with Windows updates and system files.

However, note that your files will be stored in two locations, but on the same device. If the device is completely damaged, you won’t be able to recover your files with this type of backup. Therefore, in my opinion, this is clearly not the best way to back up your personal files.

Storing Files on my Mac

If you use a MacBook or iMac, the best option is to use Time Machine. Everything will be backed up (system + files), and you’ll be able to easily restore your Mac in case of a problem or when upgrading to a new device! To use Time Machine, you will need to connect an external hard drive with a capacity larger than your Mac’s storage.

3. How to Backup Your Entire Computer

You can create a system image to backup Windows, your data, programs, and settings all at once. Alternatively, you can use Windows Backup to save only your files. Both are available in the Windows 11 Control Panel.

Difference between System Image and Windows Backup:

• Windows Backup is scheduled, automatic, and customizable, including system files.

• System Image backups include software but take more storage.

How to set up Windows Backup:

1. Open Control Panel → Backup & Restore (ignore “Windows 7” label).
2. Connect an NTFS-formatted external hard drive and select it.
3. Choose Let Windows choose or Let me choose for specific folders.
4. Review options and click Save settings and run backup.
5. Set the backup frequency and start time.
6. Monitor progress via the backup progress bar.

To stop a backup, click View details.

Note that you must back up using an external hard drive. The option to back up to a USB flash drive does not work.

Open Control Panel → Backup & Restore (ignore “Windows 7” label) :

Select your external drive and click « Back up now » :