Choose an external HDD for a large local copy, or an external SSD if compact size and faster transfers matter more. Cloud storage suits selected folders you want to sync across devices; for files you cannot replace, use a local copy alongside a separate off-site copy and check that you can restore them.
Keep a local copy and another away from the computer so a single incident is less likely to affect every copy. The UK Department for Education Cyber Security Hub describes an off-site copy as part of its 3-2-1 backup guidance.
An external HDD is worth considering when capacity is the main concern. An external SSD is worth considering when moving large folders quickly and carrying a smaller drive matter more; check capacity and the computer’s connection as well as drive type.
OneDrive folder backup, Dropbox Backup and Google Drive for desktop offer ways to keep selected computer files in cloud storage. Check which folders are selected and which files will remain available offline.
Start with the files you need to recover and where each copy will live; then choose the capacity, transfer method and folder controls that fit your routine.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Separate copies | Check that a backup is stored away from the computer and that at least one local copy can be disconnected. Restore a test file. The UK Department for Education Cyber Security Hub’s 3-2-1 guidance calls for an off-site copy and recommends disconnecting at least one backup. | My photos or documents would be difficult to replace, so I do not want the computer and every copy exposed to the same incident. |
| Capacity | Measure the folders to be protected and allow room for new files. Compare that total with the drive capacity or cloud plan’s storage allowance. | A growing collection of videos and photos needs space beyond what it occupies today. |
| Transfers and portability | For a drive, compare its stated interface with your computer’s port and cable. Consider physical size and how often you will move large folders; the drive alone does not determine transfer speed. | If I carry my backup and update sizeable folders often, compact storage and transfer time matter. For an occasional local archive, capacity may matter more. |
| Folder selection | Check which computer folders the app backs up or syncs, whether syncing has completed and how to restore a file. For travel, check the offline-file setting. | I want selected files available on another device without having to remember every manual copy, but I also need the right folders included. |
| Security and recovery | Check the exact drive’s encryption features or the cloud account’s security controls. For a cloud service, check its deleted-file and earlier-version recovery terms before relying on sync alone. | Accidental changes or account access worry me, so I need to know both how files are protected and how I would recover them. |
Files outside the selected folders may not be copied. Unwanted changes can also sync, making the service’s recovery controls important.
List your important folders, select each applicable location in the backup app and restore a test file.
A connected drive may be exposed to an incident affecting the computer. The UK Department for Education Cyber Security Hub recommends disconnecting at least one backup.
Disconnect a local copy after updating it and keep another copy away from the computer’s usual location.
A plan’s storage allowance may not cover all the folders and future photos or videos you intend to protect.
Measure the files first, allow room for growth and compare that figure with the plan’s stated allowance.
HDD and SSD describe storage technology, not the encryption or backup software included with a particular model.
Choose the drive type for your capacity, transfer and portability needs, then check the exact model’s security features, software and compatibility separately.
These brands illustrate different backup routes; their features apply to the named products or services, not automatically to every device or plan from the same brand.
Its My Passport portable and My Book desktop lines are external HDD references for local backups.
The Crucial X10 is an external SSD reference for a compact local copy.
OneDrive is a cloud route for selected computer folders and access across devices.
iCloud+ provides cloud storage for Apple-device backups, photos and files.
Dropbox Plus is a cloud option for selected computer folders and files.
Google Drive for desktop offers file sync and offline-file controls; Google One provides expanded account storage.
These options cover portable local drives and a diskless home network-storage setup. A local device needs a separate off-site destination if that is part of your backup plan.
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A portable local copy for photos and documents. The listing states 2TB capacity, USB 3.2 Gen 1, scheduled-backup software, password protection and 256-bit AES hardware encryption. Select the folders for scheduled backups; the drive alone is not an off-site copy.
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A portable local-copy option for a Mac-oriented setup. The listing states 5TB capacity, USB-C, password protection and 256-bit AES hardware encryption. It describes macOS 11+ support and says Windows use requires a downloadable HFS+ driver; confirm compatibility and the applicable warranty before buying.
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A compact local-copy option when transfer time and portability matter. The listing states USB 3.2 Gen 2 and read/write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s; actual transfers also depend on the connection. It lists IP65 protection but warns against submerging the drive. Confirm the backup workflow and encryption features if you need unattended backups or protected files.
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A portable 4TB local-copy option for a sizeable file collection. The listing states USB 3.2 Gen 1, includes a USB-A cable and describes plug-and-play use with Windows 10+. Mac or other-system use may require reformatting; check compatibility, backup software and encryption features for your intended setup.
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A home network-storage setup for people prepared to configure their backup destinations. The listing describes automated backup to cloud services, external drives and remote NAS devices. It is diskless, so confirm compatible drives and the setup required; a separate cloud destination is needed for cloud backup.
Use another copy in a separate location for files you cannot replace. The UK Department for Education Cyber Security Hub describes a 3-2-1 approach: three copies on two forms of storage or separate devices, with one off site. It is resilience guidance, not a legal requirement for personal files.
Set up the provider’s desktop app, select the folders you need and confirm that backup or syncing completes. Microsoft’s OneDrive controls let you turn on folder backup; Dropbox Help describes automatic backup for key computer folders and an external drive. Restore a test file before relying on the setup.
Yes, if the files you need are kept locally. Google Drive for desktop supports offline files and offers mirrored or streamed modes; check the relevant offline setting and files before travelling.
Review the service’s encryption description, available account-security controls and recovery terms for the files you intend to store. Dropbox states that Plus storage is encrypted and offers multi-factor authentication and 30-day deleted-file recovery. Apple says iCloud data is encrypted, while only certain categories are end-to-end encrypted; check which protections apply to your files.