How to backup your computer with an external hard drive (HDD)

Рет қаралды 113,316

Күн бұрын

In this video I show how to use an external harddrive to backup your data. This video is for someone who doesnt know how to use a hard drive, or has never needed to back anything up before.
If you know what a hard drive is, then this video might not be for you.
I will be uploading a video shortly on how to use an advance method of system backup to completely backup your files for free, so subscribe if you want to see that video!
How to setup synchronizing on your computer for free: • How To Use and Setup a...
If you need a hard drive, I can recommend this. I am not an affiliate, so this link is just a link to an amazon product.
www.amazon.com/Seagate-Portab...

Пікірлер: 127

@lrigdrenlrigdren2147 3 ай бұрын

Thank you. I am afraid to ask people basic questions, because they usually humiliate instead of helping. I know I can do things, but I do have to be taught, and I think everyone does. Some people just learned so early, they don't remember being taught. Others of us didn't have access to computers when we were young, and we do need help with the basics. An old friend set up something called "SyncBack" on my laptop to do backups to an external hard drive. I just hooked up the external drive, opened Syncback and saw "Full Backup" at the top, and "Run" on a button at the bottom. I ran it ... for 6.5 hours ... and it said the backup failed. I can't reach that friend for help. I'm thinking this is a topic for the more advanced video! I also think my friend may have set up something more complicated than I need (probably my fault for not communicating clearly). I just want to back up not only my Microsoft files but also a few other programs, before I upgrade from Windows 10 to 11, and then also get in the habit of backing up more regularly. I think my lack of knowledge about the correct vocabulary, has made it harder for me to ask for what I really need. Thank goodness for nice helpful people like you!

@graytechnical5870 3 ай бұрын

I am glad this was helpful! Here is the link to the more advanced video. The advanced video shows the tool SyncToy by Microsoft. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pdSCfNiTyq3Jqps.html When you upgrade you have the option to keep everything on the device. But I would suggest that you look into Windows 11 before you actually upgrade. I personally hate 11 and would stick with 10 if I could, but running a software company requires that I stay up-to-date and compliant with all Windows variations. Here is a playlist of what has changed, and how to use Windows 11 for a Windows 10 user. kzfaq.info/sun/PLNCnfgJp3TbZMHXCxwYh3JsXdbBfcIY6G

@lrigdrenlrigdren2147 3 ай бұрын

@@graytechnical5870why, thank you for a very speedy reply! Another plus of your channel. I don't like upgrading either - especially being nontechy, I hate having a big new learning curve every few years, just to do basic things.

@advalaii Ай бұрын

I needed to back up my files and your video was the first one that explained it very well in detail. Thank you.

@graytechnical5870 Ай бұрын

Glad I could help!

@randycatalano6622 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for the refresher. Its been a long time. Great and easy to follow. Many Thanks

@graytechnical5870 11 ай бұрын

No problem! Glad to help!

@CompSomAnichi Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! I was having some nervousness trying this out and your vid helped. Tysm!

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Glad I could help!

@dth2525 Жыл бұрын

Thank You for having patience to teach me how to use external hard drive. !!!

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

No problem! Glad to help!

@janaswank4568 9 ай бұрын

Thank you for making this video you saved my son from having to explain and you saved my sanity have a great day!!

@graytechnical5870 9 ай бұрын

Glad to help!

@phil2766 6 ай бұрын

thank you for taking the time to make this video. very easy to follow! =)

@graytechnical5870 6 ай бұрын

Glad it helped!

@voncilegissendaner-wilson6264 2 ай бұрын

Kyle, This video was so quick and easy to understand. Thanks so much. Voncile

@graytechnical5870 2 ай бұрын

Thank you! Happy to help!

@NicoleLooby 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for the important information on shortcuts, so helpful.

@graytechnical5870 2 ай бұрын

Glad I could help!

@frunomaol5069 9 ай бұрын

I found your pacing and progression through the topic clear and helpful. I learned some useful tips. (Thanks for explaining why the pc hard disc is labelled "C"; now there is one less mystery in my universe.) Being picky, I found the background music a bit of a distraction. This is the first of your videos that I have watched. Thanks

@graytechnical5870 9 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@Thagurew 10 ай бұрын

Not sure if this helps anyone that may run into the same snag but "Clicking & Dragging" the icons remained as a short cut for me but what did work was simply "Copy & Pasting" to the External hard drive. Thanks for the upload of this video.

@lindamarchand9045 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for that info... just in case.

@kellilarson3704 3 ай бұрын

Thank you sooooo much for this!!! You saved me!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

@bethanycoulter0409 Жыл бұрын

Thank you! This was very easy to understand and follow!

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Glad to help!

@Midgy21747 2 ай бұрын

Great thanks. Really useful.

@graytechnical5870 2 ай бұрын

Glad it helped!

@pcburke2 Жыл бұрын

Perfect. Good pace. Easy to understand by a neophyte like myself. Thank you for your explanation

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Glad to help!

@lisabaez3934 Жыл бұрын

Amazing explanation! Thank you for sharing! I truly appreciate it.

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Glad to help!

@myragrapa5169 Жыл бұрын

very nice, easy to follow. i think my dad could understand it!

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Glad I could help!

@craigwelch3721 Жыл бұрын

very good tutorial,,,shory and simple, thanks

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Glad I could help!

@joleneself5414 Жыл бұрын

A true teacher

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Glad to help!

@paulmuff9883 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant and manny thanks 🙏🏻

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Glad I could help!

@palakb1598 11 ай бұрын

Nice explanation Thanks

@graytechnical5870 11 ай бұрын

Thanks! Glad to help!

@prestigequickcod 13 күн бұрын

thank you for your help!

@graytechnical5870 12 күн бұрын

Glad to help!

@wendybuckle1405 4 ай бұрын

Very helpful

@graytechnical5870 4 ай бұрын

Glad it helped!

@lindamarchand9045 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for very clear, calm and precise instructions. I do wonder how many GB are on external hard drives... but that's not what your video was about. Now I won't feel intimidated by how to use one... no mystery anymore... Great! Buying one soon! No more worrying about losing files, if by some chance my pc crashes. Thanks again. 2 thumbs up!

@graytechnical5870 7 ай бұрын

I am so happy it helped! And most harddrives now do not go off of GB's. Most are TB's (a terabyte being 1000 gigabytes ;) )

@robsmith6087 Жыл бұрын

subscribed ! Thanks

@kellilarson3704 3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!! 🙏

@graytechnical5870 3 ай бұрын

Glad to help!

@ryanbielecki3140 Жыл бұрын

THANK YOU!!

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Glad to help!

@JEMYSTICAL Жыл бұрын

😃❤👍👍👍Amazing explanation! Thank you for sharing! I

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Glad to help!

@meowstangerine 9 ай бұрын

Thank you!! :)

@graytechnical5870 9 ай бұрын

Glad to help!

@peacefulpleb 3 ай бұрын

Very useful

@graytechnical5870 3 ай бұрын

Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

@AbdulWahid-yc7pt 3 ай бұрын

Thanks Gray tech

@graytechnical5870 3 ай бұрын

Glad to help!

@diqndiqn944 Жыл бұрын

Thank you bro

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Glad to help!

@rrunnr 7 ай бұрын

Thank you

@graytechnical5870 7 ай бұрын

Glad is was helpful!

@Theavastone 10 ай бұрын

Thanks you❤

@graytechnical5870 10 ай бұрын

Glad to help!

@pirateshack9315 Жыл бұрын

Hi Kyle, probably a dumb question but being a non tech musician, I'm trying to free up disk space on my windows 10 for my pc music programs to run better. I've transferred my files to an external HD successfully. Is it safe to delete those files from my pc now ? Thank you !

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Yep! Just double and triple check they are backed up. Try and plug the hard drive into another machine and see if they show up. If they do, then you know you got them saved.

@mainao3443 2 ай бұрын

@graytechnical5870 2 ай бұрын

Glad to help!

@ninakim7282 6 ай бұрын

Great.

@graytechnical5870 6 ай бұрын

Glad it helped!

@danhanna8610 10 ай бұрын

Good video. Q: Can you demonstrate how to backup more than 1 computer to the same external harddrive? Also, is there software specifically used to managing backups? Thank You.

@graytechnical5870 10 ай бұрын

I would suggest to make a new folder in the drive called 'computer 1' and put everything from the first computer in there, and so on. For software, I use Sync Toy by microsoft. It is a free backup tool for auto backups. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pdSCfNiTyq3Jqps.html

@mikemikey5282 Жыл бұрын

Your video was helpful but I have a question am planning to sell my pc but I wouldn’t build on in a hurry so if I do this and put everything like my download’s onto a hard drive would it be good for the future new pc? am only looking to carry over download’s and if possible windows settings

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Think of it like moving to a new house. You first need to take your things (IE, files), from the old house (IE, old computer) and put them in a device that can transport them, like a truck (IE, Harddrive). Once your things are in the truck, you drive to the new house (IE, new computer). You can either leave the stuff in the truck and never unpack, or unpack the truck and put the things where you want them to go in the house. Its up to you. Your settings though, think of them as the quirks to your house. You cant packup the dent in the wall from when your kid was playing baseball in the house, but you can put a similar dent in roughly the same place in the new house. Does that make since?

@Chyril1 Ай бұрын

Thanks .. Will save this to learn. We're behind in moving to windows 11.. I have an antique Sea Gate.. we used.. I thought a external hard drive would save files etc. and could be reintroduced to windows 11 from our old 8.1 desk top.. The Sea Gate is connected to our window 7 laptop for safety reasons.. but I can't get it to work.. Need a new 11 computer but am afraid I won't be able to move pictures and files .. Can a new external hard drive help me move everything.? It is frustrating for us senior (71) year old to retain instructions.

@graytechnical5870 Ай бұрын

Yes, the harddrive should be able to hold your files. Most consumer harddrives now are much larger than ones from 20 years ago. Average stock Windows 7/8 machines ran on 250 gig, while most harddrives now are 1tb (or 1000 gigs). You should be fine.

@Chyril1 Ай бұрын

Thanks.. With help I I used a small scan disk usb to add old photos to the antique laptop.. But I'd like an external drive also.. Boy have they changed.. Our Seagate is huge.. Are new drives really as tiny as they look.? Prices are very different.. So the hunt begins.. You can teach an old dog.. right.? 😁

@graytechnical5870 Ай бұрын

@@Chyril1 If you have used a USB jumpdrive then they are basically the same thing. Same concept, just more storage and less likely to break. Also, yes, harddrives now are pretty small. You can still get the tower ones, but most are about the size as the one in the video. Good luck!

@Z20Z207 Жыл бұрын

Hey! I have a question im on windows 11 rn but i want to fresh install windows 10 is there a way to fast backup my computer before i install windows 10 so i can restore all of my files?

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Files, yes, using the method outlined in the video. Programs and system settings, no. Windows does not offer any tool for downgrading. You will be starting over from scratch with programs and system settings. Think of the computer like a house. Your files are the furniture. You can move furniture around as much as you like. Get more of exactly the same thing (copy), move them (transfer), or just throw it out (delete). Now think of the programs on the computer as walls in the house. You can always add another wall (install a program), or renovate (uninstall), but the walls are still walls, they stay with the house. When you install a new OS, well that is like building a new house with a pre-built floor plan. You can always move your furniture into the new house, but it will have its own walls that you will need to navigate around.

@Sid.jaiswal 5 ай бұрын

Do a session on Ram and Rom

@graytechnical5870 5 ай бұрын

Good Idea!

@user-xb1in7md2z 6 ай бұрын

Thx bro , can you share update windos7 to windos10 please?

@graytechnical5870 6 ай бұрын

install the ISO on a USB and then plug in the USB into the computer and run the installer, or boot into the USB and select 'Upgrade Computer'. It is the same method as installing Windows 10 on a clean install. The only difference is instead of selecting 'New Install' you select the 'Upgrade' option. There are several videos on this. Pretty much any of them will work. Its a straight forward procedure.

@Sammy2012ify 6 ай бұрын

Hello, I just got a New Seagate external drive for my MacBook as. Christmas gift. I'm wanting to store videos on it. For the life of me I can't get the external drive to cooperate with the MacBook. Could you please tell me what I need to do?

@graytechnical5870 6 ай бұрын

You will need to format it so it can be compatible with the Mac. If you want it work work across Windows and Mac you should format it as either ExFat or FAT32. If you are only going to be using this on a Mac, format it for Mac OS Extended (Journal), as that will give you the best results and transfer speeds. Here is a video that outlines how to format a harddrive on a Mac. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z8CJe9ym0bjMcWg.html

@Sammy2012ify 6 ай бұрын

@@graytechnical5870 Thanks!

@Sammy2012ify 6 ай бұрын

@@graytechnical5870 Thanks! I’ll watch it!

@jerseyjim9092 5 ай бұрын

Do I need to do anything to a new out of box hard drive before using it as a backup drive. Like formatting or creating partitions, etc.. I'm referring to a stand alone hard drive not a Mybook backup drive.

@graytechnical5870 5 ай бұрын

Most external drives come pre-formatted for you. If it is not formatted, Windows will automatically come up and tell you to format it. If you need to format the drive, go to Computer > Right Click on the drive, and select 'Format'.

@jerseyjim9092 5 ай бұрын

@@graytechnical5870 Good to know. Thanks.

@shielaproudfoot6695 11 ай бұрын

Ugh I'm so challenged. I have windows 10 so I tried to "copy" libraries to the hard drive but it says an unexpected error occurred 😢 I hope you still read comments and can help me

@graytechnical5870 11 ай бұрын

Every one of them! The error could happen because the drive was in the wrong format, the drive had a formatting error from the factory, or at some point either the hard drive became disconnected or the USB port the drive was plugged into freaked out (could be caused by a loose wire on the inside or something). Here are the steps I would take: 1. Try and plug the USB device into the back part of the computer (a direct connection to the motherboard). 2. Reformat the drive 3. Try again I would try to format your harddrive first. Here is a video on that shows the easiest way to format a hard drive or jump drive: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jKiblqmaqJbIlWg.html

@w.a.rasunchamod8694 Жыл бұрын

What if I backup my files in windows 7 will it work on newer windows like 10 or 11

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Yes. All files will read and transfer between operating systems

@w.a.rasunchamod8694 Жыл бұрын

@@graytechnical5870 thanks 😊

@swollenplumz110 Жыл бұрын

Once It’s on your hard drive how do you put it on your new computer? Kind regards

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Same way, just reverse the process. 1. Plug the hard drive into the new computer. 2. Open the hard drive in the browser window 3. Drag and drop the files from the hard drive to the new computer That simple :) Hope it helps!

@swollenplumz110 Жыл бұрын

@@graytechnical5870 thank you very much… I thought it would be that way, but I’m always apprehensive about starting something up as I’m a bit of a novice when it comes to computers

@fergit0923ify Жыл бұрын

So can I just copy the entire C drive to the ext HD?

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Yes, you can, but the copied C drive will not 'run' programs in the 'C:\Programs\" folder. Programs use system files when installed to run properly. Just keep that in mind, and yes, copying the C drive is a great way to grab everything.

@fergit0923ify Жыл бұрын

@@graytechnical5870 ok cool. Thank you for the response. I’m not trying to run any programs from the spare drive. Just backup 😎

@kellilarson3704 3 ай бұрын

Well, I came back and it did not work! When I try to access what is on the external hard drive it opens up in Notepad and there are only two weird icons!! Aaaarrrrggghhh I’m screwed!!!

@graytechnical5870 3 ай бұрын

None of that sounds right. Try and plug in the device to a new USB port, and also verify that it is the same drive. Sometimes computers have multiple drives (like backup save files for operating systems).

@jessepena8321 11 ай бұрын

How do you save emails to a external hard drive? Thanks

@graytechnical5870 11 ай бұрын

In most cases you select the emails from your email client (Outlook or Thunderbird), and then drag-and-drop them into a folder or on the external drive. It should save the files in that location.

@jessepena8321 11 ай бұрын

So would it be copy n paste? Thanks, Jesse

@graytechnical5870 11 ай бұрын

@@jessepena8321 Possibly?? It really depends on your email client. For me, its select>Drag and Drop. Yours might be 'Copy' and 'Paste'. It sounds like it would achieve the same result.

@jessepena8321 11 ай бұрын

Thanks again!😊

@dcMark202 Жыл бұрын

how do you save Windows to external drive then placing it back

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

You don't, or, at least, not in the way you are thinking. In order to do a 100% backup of your computer, OS and all files, drivers, etc, you will need to clone your computer. The most effective (and free) way I have found to do this is with Clonezilla, but it requires quite a bit of knowledge with boot loading and DOS/Linux interface to pull it off. That being said, the last time I tried to do this was almost 10 years ago, it could have gotten easier over the years. You can probably find videos on it. clonezilla.org/

@dcMark202 Жыл бұрын

@@graytechnical5870 thanks

@1234_Flux 10 ай бұрын

That's not backing up that's just standard file trasnfer.

@user-il7hy9cr4f 3 ай бұрын

What about email? I want to back that up as well.

@graytechnical5870 3 ай бұрын

Most email clients allow you to export emails. Typically you can do this by selecting emails, and then dragging-and-dropping them into a folder on your desktop. You can also try File>Export inside of your email client.

@user-il7hy9cr4f 3 ай бұрын

Thank-you@@graytechnical5870

@l.rongardner2150 9 ай бұрын

The looped background techno-trash muzak is annoying and distracting. It makes it harder to pay attention to what you're saying.

@heartnet1999 8 ай бұрын

You’re hilarious

@kamijenkins4202 Жыл бұрын

Great job! 👏Thank you so very much for all of the information you provided. I was so worried about doing this, but now I know how to do it because of you! Now I feel confident and happy!! You are a life saver!! Have a very blessed night and life.

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! I am glad to help!

@SIGMAGAMERZ. 9 ай бұрын

Hello dear

@Vampirat3 Жыл бұрын

THIS IS NOT BACKING UP YOUR COMPUTER. READ MORE DOCS.

@graytechnical5870 Жыл бұрын

Or, listen to the first 10 seconds where it says, "to back up your files". If you would like to back up your computer (as in, everything on your machine; OS, system docs, programs, etc.) I would recommend a cloning tool like CloneZilla.