How to Backup Computer to External Hard Drive

By | January 25, 2022
How to Backup Computer to External Hard Drive

Backup is always essential for people who don’t want to loose their data. Many people don’t take backup seriously unless they loose hold of their data. But, its too late for them to get those files and data back. Now, if you don’t want to be one of them, you need to backup your files and data as soon as possible. There are multiple ways to backup your computer i.e Cloud backup, Cloud storage or by external hard drive. In this guide, we will specifically talk about how you can copy your data through external hard drive. Moreover, you can backup your data from both Windows and Mac to the external hard drive.

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Backup on Windows

Here are the steps you must follow in order to backup your computer on external hard drive through Windows:

  1. Firstly, you need to get a backup device to store all the data you are going to duplicate from your computer. You may need external hard drive to backup data but buy a backup device that have greater storage than your computer. This will help you to add more data for backup in the future.
  2. After plugging your external hard drive with your computer, a prompt will appear asking if you want to use it as a backup device. Agree to that. If the prompt doesn’t appear, search “Backup” in search bar and select “Backup and Restore”.
  3. From there, setup your backup device by completing few simple steps and your backup device will be ready to store all of your data and files.
  4. However, it will take time to backup your computer first time. So, don’t shut down your computer. Once the backup is finished, you need not to worry again as it will do all the process in background.

You can always get your files and data back from the backup device incase you accidently deleted or lost it. Just go to the “Backup and Restore” and click “Restore Users Files”

Backup on MAC

Here are the steps you must follow in order to backup your computer on external hard drive through MAC:

  1. Firstly, you need to get a backup device to store all the data you are going to duplicate from your computer. You may need external hard drive to backup data but buy a backup device that have greater storage than your computer. This will help you to add more data for backup in the future.
  2. After plugging your external hard drive with your MAC, a prompt will appear asking if you want to use it as a backup device. Use it as a backup device. If the prompt doesn’t appear, search “System Preferences” in search bar and select “Time Machine”.
  3. Once you setup your backup device for MAC, it will automatically backup your files regularly in background without disturbing you.

You can always restore your data and files by going back to Time Machine and searching for the file you want to restore in your computer.

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Overview

External hard drives are good way to backup your data but they aren’t the best way to backup your device. For instance, you can loose your backup drive or it can be stolen, broken or can catch a fire. In these cases you will lose your backup as well. So, the best way we suggest you for backup is to use cloud storage. It can store your data online and it can be easily retrieved whenever and wherever you want.

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Author: Huzaifa Aslam

Huzaifa is a seasoned writer with keen interest in latest Technology, Finance, and AI. He is also passionate topics like Self-Imporvement, Productivity, Leadership. When free, he enjoys playing football.