Online backup - to the Free Cloud
(If you have a relatively fast internet connection (5 Mbps or better) - and the volume of your data to be backed up is not large (Less than 15GB).
A good way to back up your important data is to get a free account with an online backup site such as Google Drive or Microsoft Onedrive (formerly Skydrive).
- Microsoft, who had also previously offered 15GB free storage with Onedrive, will now limit their free offer to 5GB.
- Google is still offering 15GB with Google Drive.
- Even so, if you don't go over the limits you'll never need to pay for their services.
To get the most from Onedrive you should install their software when you sign up.
Both Windows 10 and 11 include Onedrive built in.
The online files are protected by username and password and 128 or 256bit encryption so they should be safe from prying eyes.
Create a good password for these services. A good password has at least eight characters containing both letters and numbers and one capital letter.
The username for these accounts will be your email address.
For Onedrive you can use your existing Microsoft account - if you have one. If not simply create a free Hotmail or Live account with Microsoft. An added benefit is that you get a free online email account (with Outlook.com) also along with a Onedrive online space. Google Drive will also give you a free Gmail account.
Be aware that if you install Onedrive software on your PC the startup time will be increased a tiny bit since the online files must be synced with the ones on your PC when you boot your computer. However this is not a bad tradeoff since your files will always be saved the moment you create them if you save them to the folder created by the (Onedrive or Google Drive Backup and Sync) program.
After installing the software (either Onedrive or Google Drive) look for their folders in the Quick Access section of any File Explorer window.
If you need an external drive to store your backups (and/or other data) here are recommendations from the leading PC publications.
Be sure you have recovery media for your PC!
If your PC came with Windows 8, 10, or 11 installed it is unlikely that your PC shipped with recovery media.
Thankfully, there is a relatively easy operation to create the recovery disks on DVDs or a USB Flash drive. It is prudent to use high quality disks to create this media. Multiple DVD-R disks or any good quality Flash drive (32GB) will do.
Before we go any further - Be Aware that Recovery Media is NOT a backup!
Realize that Recovery media is not the same as a backup! Recovery Media allows you to get your PC going again after a disaster (a crashed hard drive) but does not save any of your personal data for later re-installation. You will need to create a separate plan to backup and save your personal files.
Haven't created your recovery media yet?
If you have not created a full disk image of your PC's hard drive you should create a recovery disk.
If it has been a while since you bought your new Windows PC and you still haven't created your recovery disks I recommend you put this on the top of your list of things to do. If you wait until your PC's hard drive fails then it may be too late. You may need to bring your computer to a PC repair person and pay to have him or her re-install the Windows Operating System (Windows 8, 10, or 11) back onto your computer.
How to do it
If you have had your Windows PC for a while and wish to create your recovery media do this:
In addition: This