How to Backup Computer to External Hard Drive

External hard drives as a backup solution

External hard drives have gained immense popularity as a reliable backup solution, and for good reason. Their portable nature, ample storage capacity, and affordability make them a versatile choice for safeguarding your critical data. Whether you are a professional dealing with sensitive business information or an individual cherishing precious memories captured in photos and videos, an external hard drive offers a robust layer of protection against data loss.

Advantages of backing up computer to external hard drive

Backup computer to external hard drive offers numerous advantages, making it a popular and reliable data protection solution. Here are the key advantages of using an external hard drive for backups:

• Physical Control: With an external hard drive, you have direct physical control over your data, reducing reliance on cloud-based services and third-party servers.
• Offline Backup: External hard drives provide an offline backup solution, which means your data remains safe even if your internet connection is unavailable or compromised.
• Large Storage Capacity: Modern external hard drives offer vast storage capacities, allowing you to back up large volumes of data, including entire system images.
• Quick Data Transfer: High-speed USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt interfaces ensure fast and efficient data transfer between your computer and the external hard drive.
• Portability: External hard drives are compact and portable, enabling you to carry your backups wherever you go, making them an ideal choice for travelers and remote workers.

How to backup computer to external hard drive

Backup computer to external hard drive is a prudent way to safeguard your valuable data. Follow these step-by-step instructions to create a reliable backup:

Backup Windows computer to external hard drive with File History

Use File History to back up to an external drive or network location. Select Start​ >> Settings >> Update & Security >> Backup >> Add a drive, and then choose an external drive or network location for your backups.

Restore your files with File History

If you need to recover a crucial file or folder that you previously backed up, follow these steps:

1. On the taskbar, type restore files in the search box, and then select Restore your files with File History.

2. Locate the specific file you require and use the arrows to browse through its different versions.

3. Once you find the desired version, click on Restore to save it back to its original location. To store it in a new location, right-click on Restore, select Restore to, and choose the new location.

Best alternative to backup and restore Windows computer for data protection

While external hard drive backups are essential for safeguarding your files, they might not provide a comprehensive solution for system recovery and restoring your entire computer. For a more comprehensive approach to data protection, especially when it comes to system recovery, consider the best alternatives – AOMEI Cyber Backup as choice.

Whether you're safeguarding your personal computer or managing backups for your business, AOMEI Cyber Backup offers an efficient and reliable solution for system backup and recovery needs, offering the following benefits:

✦Perpetual Free: No time limit for AOMEI Cyber Backup Free Edition.
✦Email Notification: Send email notification when the task is completed or abnormal.
✦Auto Backup: Run Windows system backups automatically without human intervention and business downtime.
✦Restore from Any Point: Restore your system from any backed up restore points.

The next part will explain specific steps to backup and restore your Windows system with via AOMEI Cyber Backup. Please have a try and click the following button to download the freeware.

* Both free and paid version of AOMEI Cyber Backup support Windows Server 2016/2019/2022/11,10,8,7.

Steps to backup and restore Windows system with ease

1. To properly use AOMEI Cyber Backup Freeware, you need to access to Source Device >> Agents >> + Add Agent. If you do not install AOMEI Cyber Backup Agent to your computer or the version of agent is not compatible, please Download Agent or Update Agent at first.

2. After you have successfully installed proper AOMEI Cyber Backup Agent, go back to Source Device >> Windows. It will automatically appear if the device is compatible and online. Otherwise, you only need add Windows device easily by clicking + Add Windows Device to enter your Device Information and User Information.

3. Click Backup Task on the left menu bar, then click Create New Task to create backup task. Choose backup type as System Backup, of course you can try other backup types as you want.

4. Specify your backup task details according to your need, such as Task Name, Device Name, Target, and Schedule.

5. After you have set up your backup task, click Start Backup and select Add the schedule and start backup now, or Add the schedule only.

6. Created backup tasks will be listed and monitored separately for progress checking, editing and restoring. Locate the task you want to restore, click … >> Restore. After specifying your Basic Settings, click Start Restore to start the process.

FAQs about external hard drive

Q: Is an external hard drive secure?

A: External hard drives offer physical control over your data, making them relatively secure. However, for enhanced security, consider encrypting sensitive files on the drive and storing it in a safe location when not in use.

Q: Can I run programs or software from an external hard drive?

A: While you can store software and programs on an external hard drive, it's generally recommended to install them on your computer's internal drive for optimal performance. Some lightweight applications may run smoothly from an external drive.

Q: What size external hard drive should I get?

A: The size you need depends on your storage requirements. Consider factors like the amount of data you plan to store, whether you'll use the drive for backups, and if you need to carry it around frequently.

Q: How do I safely eject an external hard drive?

A: Before unplugging the external hard drive, make sure to safely eject it from your computer. On most operating systems, you can right-click the drive icon and select "Eject" or "Safely Remove."

Q: Are there different types of external hard drives?

A: Yes, there are different types, including traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs). SSDs offer faster performance but are typically more expensive.

Q: Can I use an external hard drive with multiple devices?

A: Yes, you can use an external hard drive with multiple devices, as long as they support the same interface (e.g., USB). Keep in mind that some devices may require reformatting the drive to be compatible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, protecting data is becoming increasingly important in today's world where you rely heavily on technology. Whether it's backing up whole computer or backing up VMs to external hard drive, it's crucial to take the necessary steps to ensure your data is safe and secure.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily perform automatic computer backup to external hard drive and safeguard your data and protect yourselves from potential data loss and security breaches.