Backup
A backup is a second copy of a file saved in another location.
This helps to prevent data loss if the original file is:
- Removed
- Lost
- Deleted
- Not accessible
Keeping a valid backup also helps against:
- Computer viruses
- Data corruption
- Hardware issues
- Environmental hazards
IMPORTANT:
A true backup is saving a file in at least two different places.
Moving data from the computer to an external hard drive IS NOT a backup unless there is a second copy of the file in a different place.
USB Drive
- Answer ID 18911: Steps to Backup, Copy or Move Data Between Drives on Windows or macOS
- Answer ID 25298: Using Windows File History Backup and Restore to a WD External Drive
- Answer ID 18952: Time Machine Backup and Restore from macOS to a WD External Drive
- Answer ID 30022: Perform File Backup and Restore to External Drive Using Acronis True Image for Western Digital
My Cloud OS 5
- Answer ID 30151: How to Use macOS Time Machine Backups with a My Cloud OS 5
- Answer ID 30036: How to Use Remote Backups for My Cloud OS 5
My Cloud
- Answer ID 25082: Perform File Backup and Restore to Network Atttached Storage (NAS) Drive Using Acronis True Image for Western Digital
- Answer ID 2374: RETIRED: How to Use macOS Time Machine Backups to WD Network Attached Storage (NAS)
- Answer ID 20227: My Cloud OS 3: Configuring USB Backups
- Answer ID 14280: Windows & macOS: Back Up to a WD Network Attached Storage (NAS)
My Cloud Home
- Answer ID 6140: My Cloud Home: USB Backup and Compatibility
- Answer ID 7839: Steps to Backup a Windows or macOS Computer to a My Cloud Home
Third-Party Software
Synchronization
Synchronization allows files to be copied from a computer onto a storage device.
Adding, deleting or modifying files on one will lead to the same changes being applied to the other.
Synchronize IS NOT a backup.
My Cloud OS 5
My Cloud Home
- Answer ID 50815: How to Synchronize Files to My Cloud Home with FreeFileSync
- Answer ID 50879: How to Synchronize Files to My Cloud Home with ChronoSync
- Answer ID 50888: How to Synchronize Files to My Cloud Home with SyncTime Lite
