Top Methods to Backup OneDrive to External Drive for Business
OneDrive is a cloud-based storage solution that allows businesses to store, sync, and share files securely. However, despite its reliable performance, it is still important to backup OneDrive files to an external drive to ensure data redundancy and recoverability. In this blog post, we will discuss the top methods to backup OneDrive to an external drive for business.
Method 1: Manually Download Files from OneDrive
The simplest way to backup OneDrive files to an external drive is to download the files manually. To do this, follow these steps:
- Log in to your OneDrive account and select the files you want to backup.
- Right-click on the selected files and choose “Download” from the context menu.
- Choose a location on your external drive to save the files and click “Save.”
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This method is suitable for businesses with small amounts of data to backup. However, it can be time-consuming for larger datasets, and manual backups may not be reliable as it is prone to human error.
Method 2: Use the OneDrive Desktop App to Sync Files to an External Drive
The OneDrive desktop app is an application that syncs your OneDrive files to your computer, allowing you to access and edit them offline. However, you can also use this app to sync your OneDrive files to an external drive for backup purposes. Here’s how:
- Download and install the OneDrive desktop app on your computer.
- Log in to your OneDrive account using the app.
- Click on the “Settings” tab and select “Account.”
- Click on “Choose folders” and select the folders you want to sync to your external drive.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
- Plug in your external drive and select it as the sync location for your OneDrive files.
The OneDrive desktop app automatically syncs your OneDrive files to your external drive, ensuring that your data is backed up and up-to-date. However, this method requires a reliable internet connection and may take a long time to complete, depending on the amount of data being synced.
Method 3: Use a Third-Party Backup Tool
Several third-party backup tools are available that can backup OneDrive files to an external drive automatically. These tools can schedule backups, perform incremental backups, and provide additional backup features such as encryption and compression.
One such tool is GainTools Cloud backup tool that offers OneDrive backup to external drives. Here’s how to use Cloud Backup tool to save OneDrive email to an external drive:
- Sign up for a and select “OneDrive” as the backup source.
- Connect your OneDrive account to Cloud backup using your credentials.
- Select the files and folders you want to backup and choose an external drive as the backup destination.
- Schedule automatic backups and set retention policies.
- Click “Save” to start the backup process.
It provides a reliable and efficient way to backup OneDrive files to an external drive. However, it is a paid solution, and businesses need to consider the cost of the backup solution before committing to it.
Conclusion
Backing up OneDrive files to an external drive is crucial for businesses to ensure data redundancy and recoverability. While manual backups are suitable for small datasets, they may not be reliable for larger datasets. The OneDrive desktop app is an efficient way to sync files to an external drive, but it requires a reliable internet connection and may take a long time to complete. Third-party backup tools such as Cloud backup provide automatic backup solutions and additional backup features such as encryption and compression. Ultimately, businesses need to assess their backup requirements and choose a backup method that best suits their needs.
Also read: https://www.gaintools.com/how/import-siteground-email-to-office-365/