How to Backup Your Files

The following guide will show you three different ways to create a backup of your data in case it gets damaged or deleted from your PC. Errors, viruses, system crashes, and, of course, the infamous Ransomware threat are all potential ways you can lose your documents and personal files, therefore, backing them up is a must.

How to Backup Your Files

Method 1: Using a cloud service

This is technically not a service intended solely for backing-up data. However, it is very convenient, reliable and easy to use, which makes it ideal for data backup. There are a lot of cloud platforms – Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud – to name a few. Choose one, create an account and then download the cloud tool.

1. For example, if you’ve chosen to use Google Drive, go to the official site, register (if you don’t have a Google account).
2. Go to the download page and download the version that is suited for your OS.
3. Install Google Drive. Now you can place all your important data in your drive folder. Any changes made to files within that folder will be automatically synced with your cloud.

Method 2: Using a USB flash device (UFD)

This is probably the simplest method that you can use in order to backup your data. All you will need here is a flash device that would suit your needs in terms of storage capacity.

1. Put the UFD inside your USB port and wait for the PC to detect it.
2. Open the device from on your PC and copy all important data that you want to back up.
3. Safely detach the device and pull it out.
4. Make sure to regularly update your backup with any new important files and documents since you’d have to do everything manually with this method.
5. If you suspect that your machine has been infected by some malicious virus such as Ransomware, DO NOT attach your backup device for a last minute back-up update, because it might get infected if there really is a virus.

Method 3: Using your OS’ integrated backup tools

This step varies depending on what version of Windows you are using.

For Windows 7

1. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore.
2. Select Set up Backup and choose a device that will be used for the backup. We recommend using an external drive such as a flash memory.                 
3. Choose whether you want Windows to determine what is going to be backed-up or if you want to manually select the folder that you want to back up. 
4. Select next and customize the backup schedule if you so desire.
5. Click on Save settings and run backup/Save settings and exit to initiate the process. 

For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10

1. Put your external drive in your USB port and open your Start Menu.
2. Type in Settings and open the first result.
3. Go to Update and Security and select Backup (left panel). 
4. Click on Add Drive and select the external device you will be using for your backup.
5. If the Automatically backup my files option is turned on, your data backup on the external device will be updated every time you connect the device to your PC. If you want to choose how often this update takes place, go to More Options and customize the settings to your liking.
6. In More Options, you can also select which folders you actually want to backup. Once you’ve made your choice, select Backup now and the chosen folders/libraries will be backed-up on your external device.