Sync Files to External Hard Drive [Free Methods for Windows 11/10/8/7]

We often come across tools to back up data to an external hard drive or cloud storage. Wouldn't it be great if the data on these sources would update automatically the moment we make changes on our computer? Sounds awesome, and that's exactly what synchronization does: it keeps files/folders in sync across multiple locations and up to date. Once you've synchronized files to an external hard drive, the magic of syncing can start to work its wonders.

The Benefits of Syncing Your Files to an External Hard Drive

File synchronization keeps your data up to date across multiple locations, because it automates the process of updating files. But how, beyond occupying hard-drive space, does file sync actually benefit users? Let's take a look at how syncing helps:

• Data Security: Storing your data on an external drive protects it from hardware issues and emergencies.
• Portability: External drives allow you to easily carry your data with you.
• Automatic Backup: You can create and update backup files effortlessly.
• Storage Expansion: Hard drives provide extra space, enabling you to store large files and extend your storage capacity.

Sync files to an external drive easily with the tool Todo Backup Free

The easiest way to go about it is by using a Todo Backup tool to link the folders and start syncing. This free backup and sync software lets you automate the process to synchronize files and folders to your hard drive as frequently as you need. Set it up once, and let the software do all the work for you effortlessly. It also supports syncing files between a computer and a USB drive and syncing files between a desktop and a laptop.

Aside from synchronization, it also offers system imaging, cloning, and bootable USB creation to safeguard your entire system and protect your data from loss in case of emergencies. Its user-friendly interface and ease of use make the synchronization process a breeze. What are you waiting for? Download it now and start syncing your files.

The steps to sync files to an external drive using Todo Backup are as follows:

Remember that the hard drive needs to remain connected to your computer.

Step 1. Launch the Todo Backup tool for free and then click on New Sync.

Step 2: Click Select sync folder to add the locations of the source files and target files (on the external drive).

Note: If the external drive doesn't have a folder, create one.

Step 3: Next, tap on the Options at the bottom to choose your sync frequency, then tap on OK. You can choose Realtime, Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or Other to automatically sync your files.

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Sync files to an external drive with File History

Microsoft offers an inbuilt tool called File History that can sync your files to an external hard drive/disk. Set up the folder on your external drive and configure frequent syncs for the current folder on the drive.

It has several drawbacks, starting with a limited selection of files and ending with frequent glitches, such as freezing. Let's see how to sync files with an external drive using the File History feature.

Requirement: You must keep the external drive connected to your computer at all times.

Step one: Search for “Control Panel” and open it. Click “File History,” and then click “Select Drive.”

Step 2: Then select your external drive and click OK to proceed.

Step three: To sync the settings, click on "Advanced Settings," where you can choose how often to copy files and for how long to keep versions.

Step 4: Click Run Now to start the processing.

File History automatically syncs the files in the current folder to an external drive, and, depending on how often you set it to run, keeps updating the files on the external drive.

?Read Next: How to Sync Two External Hard Drives in Windows 10

Sync files to an external hard drive with OneDrive

Another approach is to use the OneDrive sync client to sync a folder with an external hard drive. With the sync client, you can upload files to OneDrive, download them, and keep them in sync between OneDrive and your external hard drive.

With OneDrive, you need a strong internet connection, and you have less storage space available. So what's the point of buying an external drive if you have to pay for OneDrive again? Let's see how you can sync your external drive with OneDrive.

Demands:

• An external hard drive connected to your computer.
• A reliable internet connection.

First, right-click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar, select Settings, and then click Account.

< b>Step 2:</b> Click <b>Unlink this PC</b> to skip the OneDrive setup screen.

Step 3: In File Explorer, find the OneDrive folder, and then click Move to folder.

4. On the external drive, create and select a folder for moving your OneDrive files.

<Step 5> Then, on the setup screen, sign in with your OneDrive account.

Step 6: On the Folder screen, click Change location. Set your external hard drive as the new OneDrive location, and then click Use this location.

More to read: OneDrive not syncing on Windows PC | How to stop OneDrive from syncing

Appendix: Which Files Should Be Synchronized?

The main reason most people choose to sync files to an external hard drive is to keep important documents up to date and backed up. But you also need to know what files to sync.

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In sum

If you synchronize files in Windows to an external hard drive, you create a backup that gets updated automatically. In this article, you'll see three methods to sync files to an external disk.

Out of these three, the best one is Tools Todo Backup, which can sync your files to a hard drive. It doesn't take up extra space and allows you to sync all files on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions about Syncing Files to an External Drive 1. What is file synchronization? Answer: File synchronization involves copying and updating files and folders from one location (such as your computer) to another (like an external drive) to ensure data consistency across both locations. 2. Why do I need to sync files to an external drive? Answer: Syncing files to an external drive provides backup, protecting your data from loss. It also facilitates sharing files between devices and ensures you always have the latest versions of your files. 3. How do I sync files to an external drive? Answer: You can use various synchronization software (like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive) or built-in sync features in your operating system. Typically, you create a sync folder and move or copy the files you want to back up into it. 4. Is file synchronization automatic? Answer: It depends on the synchronization service or software you use. Some services offer automatic sync options that update when files change, while others require manual initiation. 5. How much space does file synchronization take up? Answer: Synchronized files will occupy the same amount of space on your external drive. Make sure your external drive has enough storage for all synced files. 6. What happens if I delete a file on one device; will it be deleted after syncing? Answer: Most sync services temporarily retain deleted files in a recycle bin or trash folder. If synced, the file will also be deleted on other devices unless specific recovery options are enabled. 7. Is syncing my files secure? Answer: The security of synced files depends on the sync service and the security of your network connection. Using encrypted sync services and secure networks enhances data safety. 8. Can I sync files to multiple external drives? Answer: Yes, but you'll need to set up synchronization on each drive, or use a cloud service that supports syncing across multiple devices. 9. How long does it take to sync files? Answer: Sync time depends on the number of files, their sizes, and network or hard drive speed. Large files or many files might take longer. 10. Can I recover synced files if there's an issue with my external drive? Answer: If your external drive fails and you've used a cloud sync service, you can usually restore files from the cloud. Otherwise, you may need professional data recovery services.

Here are some common questions about how to sync files to an external drive. If you have a similar issue, hopefully this helps.

1. Does Windows 10 have a synchronization feature? Yes, Windows 10 includes built-in functionality to synchronize your data and settings. For instance, through the "Settings" app under the "Accounts" section, you can enable the "Sync your settings" option. This allows your personalization settings, browser favorites, passwords, and some app data to sync across devices where you're signed in. Additionally, Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud storage service that helps you sync files and documents across multiple devices. If you're looking for more advanced synchronization solutions, such as syncing specific folders or sharing data with others, you might need third-party software like Dropbox, Google Drive, or similar services.

Yes, Sync Center is a synchronization utility in the Windows operating system that is used to synchronize files between two computers or between a computer and a disk. It can also be utilized to synchronize data with cloud platforms like OneDrive.

2. How can I automate copying files to an external hard drive?

There are several ways to automate copying files to an external hard drive. You can use built-in Windows tools like Backup and Restore and File History. However, a safer option is to use a dedicated Windows backup software like Todo Backup.

How to automatically sync Google Drive with an external hard drive? To automatically sync Google Drive with an external hard drive, you can use a third-party application or service. Here's an example using "Sync.com," which offers a straightforward method for achieving this: 1. First, sign up and log in to your Sync.com account. They provide a free trial and paid plans. 2. Download and install the Sync.com desktop app. You can find versions for Windows, Mac, or Linux on their official website. 3. After installation, open the Sync.com app and log in with your account. 4. In the Sync.com app, create a new folder or select an existing one where you want the content to sync from Google Drive. 5. Next, download and set up the Google Drive client on your computer from the Google Drive website. Install the version suitable for your operating system. 6. Log in to the Google Drive client and choose the folders you wish to sync. 7. Now, go back to the Sync.com app. Right-click on the folder you created or selected and choose "Set Sync Path." 8. In the dialog box that appears, navigate to the synced folder location in your Google Drive client. Once confirmed, both services should now begin syncing the chosen folder. 9. To ensure data safety on your external hard drive, connect it to your computer and keep the Sync.com app running. When your external hard drive is connected, files will automatically sync between the two services. Please note that this method involves using a third-party service, so make sure you trust the service and review its privacy policy. Also, while this setup allows for syncing, real-time synchronization between the two cloud services might not be instantaneous.

To automatically sync Google Drive to an external drive, first connect the drive to your computer and log in to your Google Drive. Under the "Google Drive" tab, click on "Mirror files" and change the folder location to the external drive.