Best way to save files to external hard drive

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lulubell

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Dec 27, 2015
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Hello,
I am having a difficult time understanding the various options and best way to back up my files to an external hard drive. Even though I am not super knowledgeable about computers, I do have a basic understanding and try to learn as much as I can by reading information online. In spite of my efforts, it is proving way too complicated to figure out what the best way to back up my files is and I need some assistance.

I recently purchased an ASUS UX305LA with Windows 10 pre-installed. Here are some questions I have:
1) Since laptops these days don't come with recovery disks, do I need to back up my operating system and settings in case my hard drive crashes?

2) If so, is making a copy of my System Image the best way to create a copy of my OS and settings on my external hard drive?


Next, I need to back up the files (pics, docs, videos etc) I have saved on my computer now to an external hard drive and I will want to back up new files (pics, docs, videos etc) in the future.

I have some questions/need some help with deciding what is the best way to save my files to my external hard drives. I have a Seagate Backup Plus 1TB and a WD My Passport 1 TB. The Seagate has its own Software that I can use to back up files. Additionally, in Windows 10 I have the option of creating a System Image, Backup and Restore and File History. I have read online about the difference between all of these but am still highly confused!!!!

On each of my external hard drives I created a System Image of my current laptop (Control Panel, Backup and Restore, Create a System Image), next did Backup and Restore (Control Panel, Backup and Restore, Backup Now) and now am doing File History Control Panel, Backup and Restore, File History, Turn On). I don't understand if these are all doing different things or if they are duplicating my backups. Based on what I can see/understand I can't access individual files (ie-individual picutres, documents, etc) in System Image or Backup and Restore, which leads me to believe is why I need File History? Lastly, if I use the software that came with my Seagate external hard drive what would it be duplicating from the steps I already did on Windows above?

Thank you in advance for your help!
 
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No, only a shortcut to the root of the partiiton you dragged is copied in most cases. This also does not copy many system files, hidden files, symbolic links, other user account directories, the administrator's user directory (if it exists). It doesn't copy the registry hive files, or the SAM hive. It doesn't copy the boot partition or the BCD. If you have any NTFS encrypted files you're permanently locking yourself out of them. It doesn't copy the system service user directory, and it also doesn't copy any open files that don't have the FILE_SHARE_READ...
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Mattios

Mattios

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Jun 24, 2013
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Hi,

It can indeed be confusing. What storage do you have on the laptop? 512 Gb?

Assuming it's less than or equal to 1 Tb, I recommend simply copying every single file over to the external drive(s). You can do this by making a folder on the external drive for each drive partition (that shows up in 'my computer'). It could just be one, C:, or it could be two, for example C: and D:. Then simply drag each partition from my computer into the new folder on the external drive.

This way you have access to every single file that you have on the laptop. This way you'd have to re-install the operating system and programs in the event the laptop dies, but in my view this isn't too bad because it's good to fresh install the OS every now and again.

File history is where Windows makes backups of files that change so you can see previous revisions of files, so if you make a bad mistake with a file you can roll back to a previous version. It isn't the best for general backups.

If you have any more questions then do ask!
 
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hydranix

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Dec 19, 2013
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This is the worst way to copy files intending to back them up. Often this will just create shortcuts, and not back up any data at all.


OP, use a Microsoft account and sync your important data to OneDrive. Pictures, documents, and other things you do not want to lose. Also sync your Windows settings to OneDrive.

Then, in the event that your hard drive fails, you can install Windows 10 on the replacement, sign in via your Microsoft account, and everything you synced will be restored from OneDrive. Your computers activation status will be restored as well independent of OneDrive or your Microsoft account.

Then if you still want to use your external drive as a backup, use the Windows Backup via control panel and it will handle all of the technical things for you. Set it to create a full image backup of your internal drive's EFI System Partition (Hidden but assignable) and the Windows Partition (C:)
 
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Mattios

Mattios

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Jun 24, 2013
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Not true. The data itself will be copied because every single piece of data is copied over. Although some shortcuts will be copied, the source data will also be present.

OneDrive is a good idea, assuming the OP has decent internet speeds to support it, and wants to pay for it. I've personally had no experience backing up on OneDrive; I'm sure others here have.
 
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hydranix

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Dec 19, 2013
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No, only a shortcut to the root of the partiiton you dragged is copied in most cases. This also does not copy many system files, hidden files, symbolic links, other user account directories, the administrator's user directory (if it exists). It doesn't copy the registry hive files, or the SAM hive. It doesn't copy the boot partition or the BCD. If you have any NTFS encrypted files you're permanently locking yourself out of them. It doesn't copy the system service user directory, and it also doesn't copy any open files that don't have the FILE_SHARE_READ parameter set.

It also bombards you with a barrage of UAC prompts and file conflict prompts if it even actually invokes a real copy operation.



I have 30GB of OneDrive storage for life, and I've not given Microsoft any money for well over 5 years.

Though even 10GB is a sufficient amount of storage when used as a critical-data-only backup.
 
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