Having a solid computer backup strategy is one of the most important things you can do to protect your data. The consequences of losing files due to a crashed hard drive or other catastrophe can be devastating. Thankfully, with the right backup solution in place, you can rest easy knowing your files are safe.
Why is a backup strategy so critical?
There are several key reasons why implementing a whole computer backup plan should be a top priority:
- Hardware failure – Hard drives can and do fail eventually. Other components like the motherboard and power supply can also malfunction.
- Accidental deletion – Files and folders can be accidentally deleted or overwritten.
- Malware/ransomware – Viruses and malware can corrupt or encrypt your files.
- Theft – Laptops and other devices can be lost or stolen.
- Natural disasters – Events like fires or floods can destroy computer equipment.
- Operating system issues – Software bugs, crashes and corrupted OS files can wipe out data.
Without a backup, recovering from any of these scenarios may be impossible. You could permanently lose personal files, programs, settings and more. But an effective backup solution provides a safety net to restore your system and get you up and running again.
What data should be backed up?
Your backup process should cover all of the following critical data:
- Personal files – Documents, photos, videos, music and any other media.
- Applications and settings – Installed software, program data files and system settings.
- Operating system – Windows, MacOS or Linux system files.
- Drivers – Hardware and device driver files.
Backing up just your personal files may seem sufficient. But restoring your full system after a crash or reset requires copying back the OS, applications, drivers and configuration files as well.
Backup types
There are three main backup types to consider:
- Full – A complete copy of all designated files. Longer to perform but provides maximum protection.
- Incremental – Copies files changed since the last backup. Fast but requires more recovery steps.
- Differential – Copies files changed since the last full backup. Compromise between speed and recovery complexity.
For most home users, full or differential backup types are recommended for whole system protection. Professional IT departments may utilize incremental backups more often for efficiency.
Backup locations
Where should you store backup copies? There are two main destination options:
- Local – An external HDD or SSD connected to the computer.
- Off-site/cloud – Online backup service that stores data remotely.
For robust protection, a combination of both is ideal. Local lets you quickly restore files and provides an on-hand copy. Off-site protects you if something happens to your physical location.
Backup software
Dedicated backup utilities make the process easy and automated. Top solutions include:
| Software | Details |
|---|---|
| Macrium Reflect | Full imaging and file backups. Free for home use. |
| Veeam | Leading enterprise-grade option with extensive features. |
| Acronis | Offers local and cloud-based backup capabilities. |
| AOMEI | Allows system and disk cloning and syncing. |
| Carbonite | Secure encrypted cloud backup solution. |
Key features to evaluate include scheduling, compression, encryption, file/folder selection, restore functionality and whether cloud backup is supported.
External drive backups
One of the simplest local backup solutions is periodically copying important files to an external hard drive or SSD. Advantages include:
- Inexpensive to implement.
- Fast transfer speeds with USB 3.0/3.1, Thunderbolt or USB-C.
- Backup drive can be stored securely off-site.
Downsides to be aware of:
- Manual process – easy to forget or delay backups.
- Drive could suffer its own failure.
- Not automated – system imaging and bare metal recovery not provided.
Overall, external drive backups are a good supplementary protection measure. But for complete automation, drive imaging and robust file-level backup, a dedicated software solution is preferable.
Cloud backup services
Cloud backups provide an excellent solution by storing copies of your data on remote servers. Leading services include:
- Backblaze
- IDrive
- Carbonite
- Acronis
- pCloud
Benefits of cloud backup include:
- Files are stored safely off-site.
- Incremental backups minimize bandwidth usage.
- Access files from any internet-connected device.
- Some providers offer full system imaging.
- Versioning retains previous copies of changed files.
Potential downsides:
- Initial upload can be slow on most consumer internet connections.
- Ongoing costs for paid plans, though prices are reasonable.
- Privacy concerns since files reside on a third-party server.
Overall cloud services provide reliable, automated off-site backup ideal for supplementing a local solution. Encryption helps safeguard privacy, and most vendors provide robust security protections.
NAS device backups
A NAS (network attached storage) device can simplify local backup tasks. Key advantages:
- Automatically backs up computers to the NAS over the local network.
- Supports full imaging and incremental file backup.
- Allows full restores when needed.
- Syncs backups from multiple devices.
- Features like RAID add redundancy against disk failures.
Leading NAS software options include:
- QNAP QTS
- Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM)
- Asustor ADM
Dedicated NAS devices tend to be more expensive than external drives. But they provide a highly automated local backup solution and central storage accessible from all networked PCs.
Recommended backup strategy
For comprehensive whole computer backup, we recommend a combined local and cloud approach:
- Use backup software for full system imaging to local external drives on a weekly or monthly basis.
- Enable incremental cloud backup to copy changed files off-site on a daily or continuous basis.
- Store one local backup copy off-site, such as at a friend or family member’s house.
- Supplement with periodic manual backups of important personal files.
This layered strategy provides both rapid local restore capabilities as well as off-site protection. Mix and match components like cloud services and NAS devices based on your budget and preferences.
Tips for effortless backups
Follow these tips for a streamlined and reliable backup process:
- Automate – Set schedules so backups run on their own without manual intervention.
- Incrementalize – Use incremental backups to reduce process time and storage space.
- Monitor – Check backup logs regularly for any errors or issues.
- Verify – Periodically do sample restores to confirm backups are functional.
- Encrypt – Enable encryption for both local and cloud backups.
- Use RAID – Leverage RAID storage to protect backup destinations against disk failures.
Test and refine your strategy until your backups are running smoothly. Consistently monitoring the process is key to maintaining reliable protection.
Potential issues
Despite best efforts, backup problems can crop up in certain cases:
- Slow performance – If backups are excessively slow, try compressing backup files, upgrading network connections or adjusting scheduling.
- Limited space – Prune older backup versions or expand storage capacity if space is consistently inadequate.
- Connection failures – For cloud services, check internet connectivity and service provider status during issues.
- Restore problems – If files don’t restore properly, verify software settings and storage devices.
Troubleshoot any problems thoroughly and make adjustments until your backup strategy runs smoothly again. Don’t hesitate to contact tech support if you are unsure how to resolve persistent issues.
Alternative approaches
Aside from the solutions outlined above, there are a few other approaches that can work in certain backup scenarios:
- File syncing – Services like Dropbox or OneDrive help synchronize designated files across devices.
- Source control – Code repositories like GitHub store version history for software projects.
- Remote access – Back up to other computers you can directly log into, like servers.
- Offline media – Tape drives and optical discs provide offline storage, but are very slow for major backups.
These alternatives are generally more niche or process-specific. For most home users, simple external media, NAS and cloud backup tend to be the most practical and cost effective approaches.
Conclusion
Protecting your irreplaceable data through regular computer backups should be a top priority. A combined local and cloud backup solution provides comprehensive protection against a wide range of failure scenarios. With full-system imaging and incremental file backup in place, you gain peace of mind knowing you can recover from worst case scenarios.
Carefully choose backup software that automates the process while offering versatility and security built around your needs. Invest in reliable local and cloud storage destinations tailored to your budget and requirements. And consistently verify and monitor your backups to head off any potential issues before they disrupt your safety net.
While no single product or approach guarantees a flawless backup, the right multi-layer strategy makes whole system data loss exceedingly unlikely. Implementing even a simple duplicate process reduces your risk substantially. And supplementing it with automated cloud backup and imaging gives you a robust system that can restore seamlessly from virtually any catastrophe or loss scenario.