Windows 10: Suggestions for external backup solution

I hope this is the right section. A bit unsure where this question would be best posed. I have (very shamefully) been manually backing up all my work files for pretty much ever. Many years ago, at home solutions just seemed to be.... bad. Haha. Not purposeless and I am sure better than nothing but I tried a few and they were a train wreck. Mismatched files in wrong locations everywhere. I would change or update files and they weren't being backed up, seemingly because I think that the software thought it already did. But, it has been a long time since the days of windows vista and I would be shocked if things are still that crazy. This also means I am out of practice.

I am hoping for some suggestions for an external backup hard drive that can meet a few needs of mine. I also am open to alternative software if you think that maybe a hard drive is good but there is better software to use. I want to be clear. I am not incapable of google searching this, but enough articles with bold text saying "BEST DRIVE TO BUY IN 2021!!!" with multiple authors from the same blog contradicting each other doesn't give me confidence. I am hoping for first hand accounts, ideas of why you do or don't like certain options, little quirky features that get you really excited, etc.

Basically I need it to:

• Be compatible with Windows
• Be at least 4tb,
• Be stable and independent of my machine so if something were to happen to my computer I can trust it didn't completely screw me over,
• Have some sort of automatic backup feature whether it is scheduled nightly or real time, or something so I can pretty much forget about it,
• Preferably the drive and software (if separate from what is included with the drive) will be under $150, but that is a soft number and I have a bit of wiggle room if the suggestion is just that great.
• Network features are certainly cool as I have multiple machines, but not really a NEED per se

I really appreciate all of your help!

:)

 

Need a Backup Solution

Automatic backup

newtekie1 helped alot with what he suggested. Been using it for almost 2 weeks now works awesome.

 

Suggest me a heatsink

people have been able to get 3.6-3.8 with the ultra, of course you'll be using the g0 stepping right? it runs cooler then the b3 stepping so that'll definently help.

as for my fanboyism.. do i look like a thermalright fanboy? honestly, im just trying to suggest the best air cooling solution, which has been proven over and over to be thermalright. thank you for understanding.

 

Backup using file history

Thanks Robeline

I was going by other advice and articles that suggest that backing up under Update and security/backup is now the way to go. I will try your suggestion.

Doug