For one home computer, an external hard drive can provide a local copy of important files; an external SSD is another portable local option. Cloud storage can help with access across devices and keeping a copy away from home, but check which folders it covers and how much account storage is available. If losing both the computer and its local backup is a concern, keep an independent off-device copy and test that you can restore files.
If photos, videos or RAW images take up much of your computer storage, measure the library before choosing a drive or cloud allowance. Leave room for files you expect to add and for any backup history you intend to retain.
If important folders need to be accessible from more than one device, check which folders each cloud service covers, whose account holds them and whether the available storage is shared with other services.
If theft, damage or ransomware could put the only copy of a file at risk, keep another copy independently and practise restoring a sample folder. The National Cyber Security Centre advises against leaving a backup device permanently connected.
Decide how you will recover the files before choosing capacity, device access and a portable-drive setup.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Independent recovery | Keep a copy separate from the computer; check that you can restore a sample folder. Disconnect a local backup drive when it is not in use. | If my computer or an attached drive is affected, I need another copy I can actually open. About 33% of consumers would put independent recovery first. |
| Growing library capacity | Measure the files to protect and allow for growth and any retained backup versions. | A growing photo or video library could fill the space I set aside for documents. Sufficient capacity would be the primary concern for about 27% of consumers. |
| Access across devices | Confirm the covered folders and devices, account access and whether other services use the same storage allowance. | I need important folders available on more than one household device, without assuming that sync covers the whole computer. About 20% of consumers would prioritise that access. |
| Portable local backup | Check ports, cables and backup-app compatibility; assess any speed or physical-protection claims for the exact drive. | When I carry a drive or copy large files regularly, a workable portable setup matters most. That would lead the choice for about 20% of consumers. |
Microsoft describes OneDrive folder backup for selected folders. Files kept elsewhere may need a separate backup arrangement.
List your important folders, check which backup features cover them and restore a sample file rather than relying on a sync icon.
An attached backup can be exposed to an incident affecting the computer. The National Cyber Security Centre advises that a backup device should not be permanently connected.
Back up regularly, safely disconnect the drive afterwards and check periodically that you can restore files.
Apple says Time Machine cannot back up to a Windows-formatted disk; reformatting a disk removes its existing contents. Samsung says the T7 Shield's stated maximum transfer speeds require a compatible host connection and cable.
Check your operating system, backup app, drive format, ports and cables before formatting a drive or relying on a speed rating.
Google says Drive, Gmail and Google Photos share account storage. At the limit, uploads and other account functions can be affected.
Check combined account use, the folders being protected and what happens if you change or cancel a plan. Keep an independent copy of irreplaceable files.
A cloud plan can also involve an ongoing subscription.
Seagate offers portable and desktop external hard-drive ranges for local storage.
The portable T7 and T7 Shield SSD lines are relevant when you want to carry a local backup.
Time Machine is a Mac local-backup option; iCloud+ provides cloud storage within Apple's account ecosystem.
Google One adds storage to an account using Drive, Gmail and Google Photos.
OneDrive folder backup and Windows Backup are options for protecting selected files and settings in a Microsoft-account setup.
These external hard drives and SSDs are options for keeping a local copy of home-computer files. Choose a capacity against the files you need to protect, then check the drive's compatibility with your intended backup and restore setup.
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A portable external hard drive to consider for a local copy of files that fit within its stated 2TB capacity. Check that your computer and backup app can use it, and test a restore; a copy kept only at home does not protect against loss of both the computer and drive.
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Consider this portable 4 TB SSD if you need a local copy of a sizeable file collection and will carry the drive. Its title specifies USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2; check your computer's connection, the backup software you plan to use and how you will restore files.
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This portable 5TB hard drive is a local-storage option to assess for a Mac file library. Confirm its format and compatibility with your intended backup app before use, particularly if the drive will also be used with Windows, and test a restore.
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Consider this portable 2 TB SSD for a local copy if that capacity accommodates the files you plan to protect. Its title specifies USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2; check the host connection and backup app, and keep a separate off-device copy if losing this drive alongside the computer is a concern.
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This 4TB external hard drive is an option for keeping a local copy of a larger file collection. Check its format against your computer and backup app before use, especially for a Mac, and make sure you can restore files from the resulting backup.
An external drive can provide a useful local copy, but it does not provide a copy away from home. If losing the computer and drive together would put important files at risk, consider a separate off-device copy and check that you can restore it.
If reducing ransomware exposure matters, disconnect it when it is not backing up. The National Cyber Security Centre advises against keeping the backup device permanently connected; continue making regular backups and checking restores.
Check the file-system and backup-app plan before sharing a drive. Apple says Time Machine cannot back up to a Windows-formatted disk, and reformatting a disk for Mac use removes its existing data.
Google says that at the account storage limit you cannot upload or create Drive files, send or receive Gmail, or back up photos and videos to Google Photos. Check usage across all three services; Google also says cancelling Google One returns the account to up to 15GB of personal storage.
Check who can access or share the files, the account recovery settings and the provider's encryption options. The Information Commissioner's Office advises thinking carefully about cloud-file access settings and notes that encryption is only one part of protecting stored information.