Windows 10: Easy, free or cheap Backup Suggestions 2023 Windows 11

Your files should always be backed up because a hard drive can die at any time without notice. Don't be one of the many I've seen who are crushed by the loss of irreplaceable family pictures or valuable documents! Some suggestions are here based on helping for 14 years in forums with what works best:1 You can sync your Desktop, Documents and Pictures folder using OneDrive Backup, or just drag valuable files into OneDrive folder, offering 5gb free with additional space for cheap, 1tb with MS 365 subscription: Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing Across Windows 11 Devices Tutorial

:)

 

Easy, free (or cheap) Backup Suggestions (2023)

Your files should always be backed up because a hard drive can die at any time without notice. Don't be one of the many I've seen who are crushed by the loss of irreplaceable family pictures or valuable documents! Some suggestions are here based on helping for 14 years in forums with what works best:

1) You can sync your Desktop, Documents and Pictures folder using OneDrive Backup, or just drag valuable files into OneDrive folder, offering 5gb free with additional space for cheap, 1tb with MS 365 subscription: Turn On or Off OneDrive PC Folder Backup Protection in Windows 10

I have been syncing all my User folders in OneDrive for ten years without problem, using this additional method: Sync, Backup and Store Any/All User Folders to the Cloud with - Microsoft Community. In addition I have a secondary real time User folder backup using Google Drive Desktop.

2) Google Drive has a new Desktop program that allows you to choose User folders (Documents, Pictures, etc.) to sync up to 15gb for free to their cloud in real time so it always has the latest version: Use Google Drive for desktop - Google Drive Help You can sync your Android phone too with this.

3) In addition I'd have an on-site hard copy backup. The best way to do this is to sort all of your files into their User folders and then drag or copy them periodically to another hard drive, or better yet an USB external or flash drive which you keep unplugged to avoid ransomware infection.

Here are the best quality discount external and USB flash drives on Amazon as of now:

Amazon.com: Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400) $49 : Electronics

Amazon.com: SanDisk 32GB Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive $7.40 - SDCZ48-032G-UAM46 : Electronics

Amazon.com: PNY 128GB Turbo Attache 3 USB 3.0 Flash Drive $9.99! : Electronics

Here's how to drag, copy or move large groups of files: The many ways to copy, move, or delete multiple files | PCWorld

4) Besides your files you should save a System Image back up to use in place of reinstall in 20 minutes. The best free alternative is Macrium which is the choice of all experts because of it's drag-n-drop simplicity which always works: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/7363/macrium-reflect-is-a-free-and-easy-to-use-backup-utility/ You can even use the Macrium program to mount and extract files from this image so it can serve as both image and file backup too. In the rare case an image will ever not start, the rescue media it makes for you has advanced Startup Repair.

The modern way to do this is have a separate data partition where you link your User folders this way: How to move user folders to different location on Windows 10 | Windows Central

This keeps the C partition Windows image smaller for storage purposes, so if Windows ever becomes irreparable you can restore C from recovery media, and your files will be current and safe in their own separate partition. If they are left on C they would be dated from when the image was taken.

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the detailed results you post back, I will have other suggestions if necessary.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

 

Easy, free backup strategies for files and Windows (2023)

Here are easy, free backup methods so you never lose files or Windows if it becomes irreparable.

1) The safest and most reliable backup method is to sort your files into their User Folders (Documents, Desktop, Pictures, Downloads, etc) and periodically drag or copy them to external, which is otherwise kept unplugged to prevent ransomware attack. See tips for copying large groups of files here: The many ways to copy, move, or delete multiple files | PCWorld

2) Then have a Cloud backup to capture real time file changes, and so your files are safe from ransomware, fire and theft and easily accessible via the internet just like email. Some suggestions to help ease into this habit:

You can drag or copy 5gb for free (more for cheap, 1tb free with MS 365) into OneDrive app to store in the cloud where they are safe from fire and theft. You can also choose to sync the Desktop, Pictures and Documents folders (only) in OneDrive app Settings > Backup for real time backup. More here:

Turn On or Off OneDrive PC Folder Backup Protection in Windows 10

Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing Across Windows 11 Devices Tutorial | Windows 11 Forum

Additional User data folders can be sync'd in real time to OneDrive using this method: How to move User Profile Data Folders to another Drive in Windows 11/10 ((Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially DO NOT INSTALL Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)

3) If you install Google Drive Desktop, you can choose ANY User folders (Documents, Pictures, etc.) to sync up to 15g for free to their cloud in real time. You can also drag/copy selected files into Drive folder. More here: Use Google Drive for desktop - Google Drive Help

4) Save a System Image backup stored externally so if Windows ever becomes irreparable you can restore C in 20 minutes and be up and running. Here's the best free imaging app and how to use it: https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/7363/macrium-reflect-is-a-free-and-easy-to-use-backup-utility/

If you were referred here from another thread, please post back results in that thread. Otherwise you can ask questions and share information in the Comments section below, including any broken links.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

 

Reset Failure Windows 10/11 (2023)

Try the link on the Sign in page for Sign In Options to try another method.

Try resetting the password: Reset Pass10 Reset Pass 11

If none of those work then one of the steps here will always work for when Windows 10 or 11 will not start:

Fix Windows 10 when it won't start 2023 - Microsoft Community

Windows 11 Failure to Start Fixes 2023 - Microsoft Community

If not then start a new thread here under Performance failures:

NEW POST