The simplest way of backing up or archiving your data in 2026 is to the cloud using OneDrive, iCloud or Google Drive but there are also 3 (less-promoted) ways of backing up to a USB or External HDD
Not everyone trusts the cloud and has privacy concerns, and probably needs to pay for more storage other than the 5GB free allowance
So the easiest “FREE” way in 2026 to secure your data is to backup or archive to an External Disk Drive (HDD) or a USB flash drive.
- How much data do I need to backup?
- Backup/Archive Method 1 & 2 – Backing up to OneDrive (Cloud)
- Backup/Archive Method 3 – Manually copy and paste (External Drive or USB Drive)
- Backup/Archive Method 4 – Using File History Program (External Drive or USB Drive)
- Backup/Archive Method 5 – Using Backup and Restore (Windows 7) Program (External Drive or USB Drive)
External Hard Drives tend to have more storage and are cheaper. The cheaper versions still utilise HDD’s (Hard-Disk-Drives) whereas the newer and more expensive versions utilise SSD’s (Solid-State-Drives)
A USB Flash-Drive is basically a smaller version of a SSD drive and usually come in smaller sizes such as 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB but may have adequate storage data space.
How to Backup/Archive my profile to External Drive or USB Flash Drive
There are 5 ways of backing up your data in Windows 10 and 11
- Method 1 (Windows Backup app)
- Method 2 (iCloud Backup)
These are the two “preferred” methods that Microsoft push, because it adds to their revenue stream. Not everyone trusts the cloud and has privacy concerns, and many probably need to pay for more than the 5GB free allowance. (You have 1TB cloud storage if you have a paid 365 subscription)
Backup/Archive Method 3 – Manually copy and paste – to External Drive or USB Drive
Backup/Archive Method 4 – Using File History App – to External Drive or USB Drive
Backup/Archive Method 5 – Using Backup and Restore (Windows 7) Program – to External Drive or USB Drive
Backup/Archive Method 1 & 2 – How to Backup or archive your Windows 10 or 11 device to OneDrive (cloud)
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