Is it easy to back up my computer?

Question

Is it easy to back up my computer?

EML 20

Hello,

This may sound naive, and admittedly, I am when it comes to these things. I'd like to know the best way to back up my computer. I understand OneDrive does a lot of the work, but how can I be sure everything is being backed up?

Thanks ~

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Answer accepted by question author

Marcin Policht 109.4K MVP Volunteer Moderator

OneDrive is intended for protecting your personal files, but it is not a complete backup of your computer by itself. Think of it primarily as a file synchronization and cloud storage service. It usually protects files stored in locations such as Desktop, Documents, and Pictures if Known Folder Backup is enabled, but does not include everything on the system. Applications, system settings, locally stored email archives, browser profiles, virtual machines, downloaded installers, databases, and files saved outside synced folders would not be protected.

A good backup strategy usually combines cloud backup with at least one local backup. The simplest approach is the “3-2-1” principle: keep 3 copies of your data, on 2 different types of storage, with 1 copy offsite. In practice, that often means your original files on the PC, a local backup on an external drive, and a cloud copy through OneDrive or another cloud backup provider.

Start by verifying what OneDrive is backing up. Open the OneDrive settings, go to Sync and backup, and check whether Desktop, Documents, and Pictures are enabled. Then look through your computer for important folders that may sit outside those locations. Some data might reside in Downloads, project directories, PST email archives, or application-specific folders that OneDrive never touches unless explicitly configured.

You should also understand the difference between syncing and backup. If you accidentally delete a file or ransomware encrypts it, OneDrive may sync those changes as well. Microsoft does provide version history and recycle bin recovery, which helps, but a separate offline or disconnected backup is still important because it protects against widespread corruption, malware, or account issues.

For full protection of the computer itself, including Windows, installed applications, and settings, consider creating system image backups to an external drive. Windows has built-in options such as File History and older System Image Backup functionality, though there are also third-party tools like Macrium Reflect, Acronis, or Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows. A system image allows you to restore the entire machine after a drive failure instead of reinstalling Windows and every application manually.

An external USB hard drive could be used for backups. You can schedule automatic backups daily or weekly, then disconnect the drive afterward so ransomware cannot reach it. For many people, a simple routine of “OneDrive for cloud protection plus scheduled image backups to an external drive” provides an excellent balance of convenience and safety.

The only way to truly know your backups work is to test them periodically. Try restoring a few files from OneDrive and from your local backup.

If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

hth

Marcin

EML 20 Reputation points

2026-06-25T04:22:02.6533333+00:00

I appreciate your prompt reply and your thorough answer, Marcin.

I have chosen "Make All Files Available." Although I am a little confused about this, “OneDrive for cloud protection plus scheduled image backups to an external drive” provides an excellent balance of convenience and safety. I don't quite understand scheduled image backups. Is it possible to elaborate?

Many thanks,

Elda
Marcin Policht 109.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-06-25T11:02:37.1433333+00:00

“Make All Files Available” in OneDrive means your OneDrive files are stored locally on the computer instead of existing only in the cloud. That improves offline access and also means those files are included in local backups. It does not automatically back up the entire computer by itself.

A scheduled image backup is essentially a “snapshot” of the entire computer taken automatically at regular intervals. Instead of copying only documents and photos, it captures Windows, installed applications, settings, and your files together in one backup image.

For example, if your internal drive fails completely, you could restore the image backup onto a new drive and return the PC almost exactly to the state it was in when the backup was created, without reinstalling Windows and every program manually.

Typically, you connect an external USB hard drive and configure backup software to run automatically every night or once per week. The software creates an initial full image backup, then later backups usually store only the changes, which saves time and space.

In practical terms, OneDrive protects your important files in the cloud, while image backups protect the entire machine if the computer itself dies, becomes corrupted, or is hit by ransomware.

If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

hth

Marcin

2 additional answers

Your answer

EML 20 Reputation points

2026-06-25T04:22:02.6533333+00:00

I appreciate your prompt reply and your thorough answer, Marcin.

I have chosen "Make All Files Available." Although I am a little confused about this, “OneDrive for cloud protection plus scheduled image backups to an external drive” provides an excellent balance of convenience and safety. I don't quite understand scheduled image backups. Is it possible to elaborate?

Many thanks,

Elda
Marcin Policht 109.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-06-25T11:02:37.1433333+00:00

“Make All Files Available” in OneDrive means your OneDrive files are stored locally on the computer instead of existing only in the cloud. That improves offline access and also means those files are included in local backups. It does not automatically back up the entire computer by itself.

A scheduled image backup is essentially a “snapshot” of the entire computer taken automatically at regular intervals. Instead of copying only documents and photos, it captures Windows, installed applications, settings, and your files together in one backup image.

For example, if your internal drive fails completely, you could restore the image backup onto a new drive and return the PC almost exactly to the state it was in when the backup was created, without reinstalling Windows and every program manually.

Typically, you connect an external USB hard drive and configure backup software to run automatically every night or once per week. The software creates an initial full image backup, then later backups usually store only the changes, which saves time and space.

In practical terms, OneDrive protects your important files in the cloud, while image backups protect the entire machine if the computer itself dies, becomes corrupted, or is hit by ransomware.

If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

hth

Marcin

Answer 1

Backing up is a very big topic; much bigger than can adequately be handled in a community forum. This is something for which you want to do research on the internet. Here is an introduction.

Any kind of backup is better than no backup at all.

A best practice is to store your software and your personal files in separate partitions, so they can be backed up and restored independently.

To backup your software, the best way is to make an image, which is a complete copy of the partition, compressed into a single large file.

To backup your personal files, the best way is to use file compression.

The best place to store your backups is somewhere physically outside your computer. A portable hard drive is ideal.

Regardless, keep this in mind: Any kind of backup is better than no backup at all.

Answer 2

Craig Long 18,635

I don't make image backups of my entire computer because I mostly just browse the internet and work online.

I have made image backups in the past, but never wanted to use them because they were too old.

I haven't had a blue screen in years, because I repair my Windows before it gets too corrupted.

See this Windows Backup video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jHm6a76J90

Craig Long 18,635 Reputation points

2026-06-25T21:43:54.37+00:00

Making a system image of your corrupted system is not ideal. So it's best to repair your system before creating a system image.

Using the DISM repair tool to repair Windows
EML 20 Reputation points

2026-06-25T23:04:09.1833333+00:00

Thank you, Craig.
Craig Long 18,635 Reputation points

2026-06-25T23:22:00.72+00:00

You're welcome.
EML 20 Reputation points

2026-06-26T20:03:02.5833333+00:00

The video was very helpful. However, after backing up, it states that my Settings were only partially backed up. Do you know why this might be?
Craig Long 18,635 Reputation points

2026-06-26T21:49:04.15+00:00

My Windows Backup says the same thing. Are you using a Work or School account?

For me, I believe Windows Backup cannot backup certain settings in those types of accounts.

AI gave me this answer:

Work or School Accounts: If you are using an organization or school Microsoft account, features like app pinning or certain Windows preferences are disabled by your system administrator.
EML 20 Reputation points

2026-06-26T22:04:10.16+00:00

No, I'm not using a Work or School account.
Craig Long 18,635 Reputation points

2026-06-27T01:25:33.2633333+00:00

Sorry, I don't know the answer. My files are fully backed up to OneDrive, so I'm not too worried about settings that might not be backed up.

Do you have a Microsoft 365 subscription? Free OneDrive only provides 5GB of cloud storage, which is not enough for most people. Microsoft 365 Basic is the most economical plan.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/online-cloud-storage-trial

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/try
EML 20 Reputation points

2026-06-29T04:41:25.6533333+00:00

Sorry, I thought I answered this.

I purchased extra storage for OneDrive (monthly fee $1.99), but I haven't for Microsoft 365. OneDrive is enough for me. Thanks for the links, they help!