When you use a PC, you must make it a point to create extra copies of your documents and photos somewhere outside your computer’s internal storage. That insulates you from potential data losses caused by sudden hardware failures, system crashes, and malware attacks.
But local backups aside, it’s also best to upload your files online. Not only does that offer additional protection against unexpected events such as fires and theft, but you get to access the data on any device with an active internet connection.
Google Drive and OneDrive are two popular cloud storage services that can help you backup files to the cloud. The instructions below should help you figure out how to set up each service to safeguard the data on your computer.
Automatically Backup Files to Google Drive
Google Drive allows you to back up and sync files on your PC with its Backup and Sync client for Windows. To avoid any confusion, here’s how the “Backup” and “Sync” elements work:
If you pick the Pictures folder, you must select your photo upload preferences—High quality or Original quality. The former compresses photos and videos to the 16MP and 1080p resolutions, respectively, while the latter uploads them at full quality.
If you want to back up your photos and videos separately to Google Photos, check the box next to Upload photos and videos to Google Photos.
Note: Photo and video uploads uploaded in compressed quality don’t count toward your Google Drive storage quota until June 1st, 2021.
Additionally, you should find a location labeled Google Drive within the sidebar in File Explorer. It should contain files and folders from My Drive that you’ve opted to sync locally. Folders that you copy to or create inside it will upload to My Drive in the Google Drive web app, as well as to other devices that you’ve set up using Backup and Sync.
If you want to change how the Backup and Sync client functions on your PC later on, select the Backup and Sync from Google icon on the system tray and go to Settings > Preferences.
Feel free to ask any questions, Happy Learning!?
But local backups aside, it’s also best to upload your files online. Not only does that offer additional protection against unexpected events such as fires and theft, but you get to access the data on any device with an active internet connection.
Google Drive and OneDrive are two popular cloud storage services that can help you backup files to the cloud. The instructions below should help you figure out how to set up each service to safeguard the data on your computer.
Automatically Backup Files to Google Drive
Google Drive allows you to back up and sync files on your PC with its Backup and Sync client for Windows. To avoid any confusion, here’s how the “Backup” and “Sync” elements work:
- Backup: Continuously backs up folders to the Computers section in Google Drive. You can’t sync them to other devices.
- Sync: Creates a special directory on your computer and syncs files and folders to and from the My Drive section in Google Drive. You can also sync them with other desktop devices.
- Download the Backup and Sync installer 2 from Google. Then, run it on your PC to install the Backup and Sync client.
- The My Laptop or My Computer screen that shows up allows you to specify the folders you want to backup to Google Drive.
If you pick the Pictures folder, you must select your photo upload preferences—High quality or Original quality. The former compresses photos and videos to the 16MP and 1080p resolutions, respectively, while the latter uploads them at full quality.
If you want to back up your photos and videos separately to Google Photos, check the box next to Upload photos and videos to Google Photos.
Note: Photo and video uploads uploaded in compressed quality don’t count toward your Google Drive storage quota until June 1st, 2021.
- Select Next to proceed.
- Pick the Sync everything in My Drive option to sync all files and folders from Google Drive’s My Drive section to local storage. Or, select Sync only these folders to sync select folders only.
- Select Start to finish setting up the Backup and Sync client.
Additionally, you should find a location labeled Google Drive within the sidebar in File Explorer. It should contain files and folders from My Drive that you’ve opted to sync locally. Folders that you copy to or create inside it will upload to My Drive in the Google Drive web app, as well as to other devices that you’ve set up using Backup and Sync.
If you want to change how the Backup and Sync client functions on your PC later on, select the Backup and Sync from Google icon on the system tray and go to Settings > Preferences.
Feel free to ask any questions, Happy Learning!?