6 things you should know about backing up your PC (2024)

Last week, Google announced the new desktop version of its Backup and Sync app, and it got me thinking: What does desktop backup even mean in 2017?

Not so long ago, there was one and only way to protect the precious data riding around in your laptop: Connect an external drive (or, if you were really fancy, a network drive), then perform a complete system backup.

But is that really necessary anymore? It's time to inject some modern thinking into the old notions of PC backups. Here's what you should know:

It's all about the data

Think about what you're really trying to preserve in a backup. It's the data, right? Family photos, financial records, school papers, work documents -- stuff like that.

OK, but what about software? What about the operating system? A full-system backup lets you preserve these items in addition to your data, the idea being to let you restore everything in one fell swoop should disaster strike.

But, remember: What you really care about is the data.

Not all software needs to be backed up...

In the old days, when you bought software on CDs or even floppy disks, a full-system backup was logical, if only to avoid having to manually reinstall all those programs. Thanks to slow-loading media and comparatively slow PCs, that could be a long, torturous process.

Backup or bust

  • Get started with Google's Backup and Sync app
  • Backups: Act like your business depends on them
  • Get ransomware protection with Aomei Backupper Free

But think about the software you use today. Some of it is probably web-based, meaning there's nothing to reinstall -- you just sign back into your, say, Google Docs account. As for local apps like CCleaner, Evernote, iTunes, Steam (and Steam games) and your antivirus software, you can quickly and easily re-download and reinstall them. (Even certain data is easily replaceable, like the PDF instruction manual you downloaded for your printer. Why bother backing that up?)

So make a little inventory list of the software you're using and see if there's anything that actually needs to be backed up. There might be exceptions, like commercial programs that give you only a one-time download option (video editor CyberLink PowerDirector comes to mind). Those downloads, if you have any, should definitely get backed up along with your other data.

...and neither does Windows (sort of)

Assuming you're running Windows 10, it's definitely a good idea to make a one-time backup of the OS in case you need it later. You can do this by running Microsoft's media-creation tool, which will put a copy of the OS onto a flash drive (5GB or larger).

Ah, but will you need it later? If you're having software-related issues with your PC ( malware infestation, everyday Windows wonkiness), you can use Windows' Recovery tool to get a factory-fresh reset -- no external media required. But if you have to, say, replace a defunct hard drive, now you'll want that flash drive so you can reinstall Windows.

The dirty little secret of full-system backups

OK, but if that's the case, doesn't a full-system backup make more sense so you can do a full-system restoration? I'll argue no, for these reasons:

  • Full-system backups take time, even if you're just making incremental ones.
  • Full-system backups require large-capacity external drives, which cost money. You also need backup software. There are freeware options, but do you really want to trust your entire hard drive to a free program?
  • A full-system restore doesn't afford the benefits of a fresh Windows install; instead, you end up with all the same stray Registry keys and fragmented files that were dragging down the system before.
  • Full-system restores are notoriously inconsistent. In my experience, they just flat-out don't work sometimes. Contrast that with a fresh install of Windows, reinstalling your software and then restoring your data: Not much can go wrong with that.

Solution: Back up just your data

We've come full circle. These days, a full-system backup is of questionable value. That's because the only thing that really matters is your data -- and think about where that data lives.

On your hard drive, yes, but also in the cloud? All you need is a service like Amazon Drive, iCloud Drive, Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive -- anything that automatically syncs your files to online storage.

Meanwhile, are there even photos on your PC anymore? If you're like many users, you take pictures with your phone, and that phone copies everything to the cloud. Likewise, are you still using your PC to manage a music collection? If you subscribe to the likes of Apple Music or Spotify, there's nothing you need to back up; all your songs and playlists live on those services.

Obviously there are exceptions, like if you have a large video library. Those files consume a lot of space, meaning cloud backup may not be practical. But I suspect many users just want to preserve office documents, tax records and the like, in which case a small amount of cloud storage easily gets the job done.

The big caveat

Many cloud services suffer from one considerable flaw: They won't protect you against ransomware and other forms of malware. The problem is that files corrupted on your PC will quickly get corrupted in the cloud as well, as part of the automated syncing process.

You can overcome that problem by keeping malware off your PC in the first place. But many security experts note that the best way to protect yourself is to make regular local backups of your data. (Just your data, mind you.) And here's the key: Make sure your backup includes older versions of your files. Because as with online backups, it's all too easy for infected files to overwrite clean ones, leaving your backup in the same condition as your hard drive.

Some backup services (including Carbonite, Dropbox and Google Drive) support versioning as well, though Google's implementation allows you to access only one file at a time -- just about useless if you have hundreds or even thousands of files to restore. And OneDrive keeps older versions only of Office files.

What are your thoughts on modern-day PC backups? Do you think archiving data alone is enough? Share your thoughts in the comments!

6 things you should know about backing up your PC (1)

Watch this: How to get started with Google's Backup and Sync app

6 things you should know about backing up your PC (2024)

FAQs

What are the tips for backing up computer? ›

To be safe, back up entire folders regularly to ensure that newly created or updated files are backed up. You'll need a secondary drive to back up to, from your main drive. Windows 10 and Windows 11 prefer to back up files to OneDrive, Microsoft's online backup and synchronization offering (more on that below).

What should I backup on my PC? ›

You can start with personal files like your home videos, photos, music library, and important documents that would be difficult to recover. Personal files should be backed up often. You can also back up your operating system, programs, and other settings that you deem necessary.

Is it good to backup your PC? ›

From your files, themes, and some settings to many of your installed apps and Wi-Fi information - Windows Backup will help protect what matters and make it easier than ever to move to a brand-new PC. This guide will help you to use Windows Backup to back up key things on your Windows PC.

What should you always do before backing up? ›

Continually check all mirrors while backing. Perform a walk- around. Walk around the vehicle before backing it and after it has been parked for a while. Look for children, animals, soft or muddy areas, potholes, tire hazards, or other possible dangers.

How to do a full PC backup? ›

You can use the File History feature in Windows 10 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 (Figure 1). Restore your files with File History.

Which files should not be backed up? ›

So how to identify which files are important and where do we find them? As a rule of thumb, files created by you are the type of files you should backup. System files, Windows operating system folder, installed programs, and temporary files are files that are not required for backup.

What type of backup is best for computer? ›

Full backups

The primary advantage to performing a full backup during every operation is that a complete copy of all data is available with a single set of media. This results in a minimal time to restore data, a metric known as a recovery time objective.

What are three ways to backup data from your computer? ›

6 Effective Strategies to Safely Back Up Your Data
  1. Use an External Hard Drive. There are two types of external drives you can buy: HDDs (hard disk drives) or SSDs (solid-state drives). ...
  2. Use a USB Flash Drive. ...
  3. Use Optical Media. ...
  4. Use Cloud Storage. ...
  5. Use an Online Backup Service. ...
  6. Invest in a Network Attached Storage (NAS) Device.
Jul 4, 2023

How to store data forever? ›

Top Methods for Permanent Data Storage
  1. SSD Technology. SSDs (Solid State Drives) are robust, fast, and energy efficient. ...
  2. Cloud Storage. Cloud storage solutions use remote servers that are accessible online. ...
  3. Digital Optical Drives. Digital optical drives are disks built for storing data. ...
  4. Hybrid Storage.
Jan 8, 2024

Can I use my computer when it is backing up? ›

Generally, yes. Performance will be affected during the backup task (especially the first one) as CCC reads the entire source volume and writes to the destination volume.

How often should I backup my PC? ›

By backing up every day, you can be sure you aren't missing anything important, even if something goes wrong overnight. Daily backups are especially easy if you take advantage of an IT company's data backup solutions.

What does PC backup do? ›

Computer backup is a process that copies all your files, data and information to effectively create two versions – one on your original devices and one backup. It is designed to protect all of your important files and pictures, even the ones you save to an external hard drive.

How do I backup my entire computer? ›

Click Start, type backup in the Start Search box, and then click Backup and Restore in the Programs list. Note If you are prompted to close programs, make sure that you have saved any open documents and close those programs. Or, click Close Programs. Under Back up or restore your files, click Set up backup.

What are 2 methods that can be used to back up your computer? ›

Cloud storage and file sync and share are two similar, often identical, options for backing up computer files. Examples include Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, and Sugar Sync.

When backing up it is best to do what? ›

Drivers should turn to the right and look out the back window so they can see in the direction the vehicle is moving. Continually check all mirrors while in reverse. Reverse Slowly. Drive in a careful and controlled manner throughout the back-up maneuver.

Which of the following is a good way to back up your computer? ›

Regularly updating your backup ensures that your important files and data are safe in case of computer malfunctions or data loss. A good way to back up your computer is by using external hard drives.

References

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