What's the best (simple) way to automatically backup computer from PC?

peter021072

I still have an old 250GB external drive which I used to use for my old Laptop, but that gradually became increasingly unreliable. Perhaps it just needs reformatting, or it's just the connections that are dodgy. My newish PC has used about 100 GB of 1000 GB so far.  OneDrive keeps encouraging me to use that, but is it safe to keep files on the cloud?  I still have many of my files on Google drive which I'm more familiar with.

The other question is should I encrypt the backup, or is this automatic if I use a cloud based memory option?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

many folks have recommended MACRIUM before.

Neil_Jones

If something is important to you, then back it up, back it up and back it up again.    External drives, the cloud, pen sticks...

Encrypt if you must, but if you forget your password, then its as good as not having a backup at all.

victor2

I use iDrive (not an Apple product) for backing up important folders to the cloud daily, with encryption. The free version gives you 10GB of storage with up to 30 previous versions of files held - and they don't count as use of your storage
I also use Macrium free for a full/ differential backup of my data drive to a separate NAS drive connected to my router.

peter021072

Since most of my files are on Google drive is there a way of updating any new or changed files on this?  Presumably if I try to upload my files again it'll just create a second copy and use up space.

Neil_Jones

https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2424368 - "If you upload a file with the same name, Google Drive will upload the file as a revision of the file already in Google Drive."

km1500

If the drive is becoming unreliable, replace it they are not that expensive. 

I would always have a local backup as well as eg Google drive etc

No need to encrypt unless they are a. sensitive b. also encrypted on your laptop

bengalknights

peter021072 said:

Since most of my files are on Google drive is there a way of updating any new or changed files on this?  Presumably if I try to upload my files again it'll just create a second copy and use up space.

If you are using the google drive software on windows then it knows the revised files based on how you save it in the mapped drive on your pc.

peter021072

Well 15Gb is enough for me, but according to this, Google see to count storage with every app it's connected to, and the trash folders of those apps such as Googlemail.  Even after I've cleared nearly everything out, such as messages with >3Mb attachments, I've only got it down to 5.09 GB of 15 GB, so goodness knows what is taking up the space!

grumpycrab

peter021072 said:

I still have an old 250GB external drive which I used to use for my old Laptop, but that gradually became increasingly unreliable. Perhaps it just needs reformatting, or it's just the connections that are dodgy. My newish PC has used about 100 GB of 1000 GB so far.  OneDrive keeps encouraging me to use that, but is it safe to keep files on the cloud?  I still have many of my files on Google drive which I'm more familiar with.

You're answering your own questions.  1. the unreliable external drive. Put in a drawer as an archive.  Buy a new one - doesn't need to be an SSD and use Windows FileHistory to backup data to it.  Lots of tutorials on line.   2. you use Google drive and so you don't need OneDrive too -and OneDrive is NOT simple.  Check that Google drive is working.  Create a document.  Check it appears in the cloud soon after.

HashcryptTechnologies

You can use a Cloud Storage Service for me this one of the easiest way!