Windows 10: Can a backup be stored on an external hard drive from two different computers?

Can I store a backup on an external hard drive from more than one computer: thus, my W7 desktop and my W8.1 HP laptop: what would happen if I wanted to restore the backup to only one of them? How does the system decide which is which, if I am restoring files to the same, let's say, refurbished computer?Would it make a difference to the restoration process if I had just upgraded the W 7 computer to W 8.1?I would like to add that the list of possible topics in the drop-down menu beneath, does not include "Data handling", so that I could not find a suitable category for this question.

:)

 

Is it possible to use windows backup utility for External Hard drive backup to External Hard drive

Hi Smittychat, thank you very much for the reply.

There is OneDrive link (Explorer) on computer but I did not use it and do not know how it work. It was there when I had purchased computer last year.

I am not trying to backup computer rather two external hard drives.

 

Free hard drive backup/restore program?

I am looking for a free (freeware) program that will back up and restore a hard drive. I'm looking to clone a few external hard drives. If the program will backup the used space instead of the whole drive this will be awesome! Thanks for any suggestions.

 

Facing issue with Clickfree Automatic Backup external hard drive in Windows 10

Hi,

I am sorry to know that you are facing issues with back up external hard drive.

Lets run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter and check if that helps.

To open the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter, follow these steps:

• Press the Windows logo key + R to open the Run dialog box.
• Type control in the Run dialog box, then press Enter.
• In the Search box in Control Panel, type
  troubleshooter, and then click Troubleshooting.
• Under the Hardware and Sound item, click Configure a device. If you are prompted to enter an administrator password or provide confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

If the issue persist, I suggest you to plug in your
back up external hard drive into a different USB port and check the if you get the error message as such. And if the issue persist, try plugging in a different
back up external hard drive and check the behavior.

If the issue still persist with a different
back up external hard drive also, then try the same procedure in a different computer device and check the behavior. This is to just make sure, if the issue is
back up external hard drive specific or computer device specific.

Please keep us updated with the status of your
back up external hard drive, to assist you further.

Regards,