Back up with OneDrive

One of the simplest ways to back up your PC is with OneDrive, which is built into Windows. With a Microsoft account, which you can create for free if you don’t already have one, you get your own private space in Microsoft’s cloud where OneDrive can keep copies of files from these locations:

If your computer suffers a disk failure, or is lost or stolen, your files will be safe in OneDrive, so you can access them by signing into your Microsoft account from another device. And if you replace your computer, your files will be automatically available on the new one.

Check that OneDrive is set up

To check that your Documents, Pictures and other key folders are being backed up, first find the OneDrive icon in the notification area — near the clock, usually in the lower-right corner of the screen. It looks like a cloud.

Note: If you can’t find the OneDrive icon, you might first need to click the show hidden icons button, which looks like an upwards arrow.

  1. Click the OneDrive icon.
  2. Click the cog (gear wheel) and choose Settings.
  3. Click the Sync and backup tab (on the left).
  4. Click Manage backup.

Each folder’s status is indicated. If you want to back up any folders that aren’t already, toggle their switches on and click Save changes or Start backup.

Note: You might want to watch Microsoft’s video showing this process.

OneDrive works continuously in the background. You can check its status by clicking its icon: when all is well, it will show a message like ‘Your files are synced’.

Test it

Just like it’s wise to test your smoke alarms and check your tyre pressures, you might want to do a drill now and again to be sure OneDrive is working. One way is to check the OneDrive website, which gives you a direct view of your online storage as opposed to the local files on your PC:

  1. Open a web browser, like Chrome, Edge or Firefox.
  2. In the address bar (at the top) type onedrive.com and press Enter on your keyboard.
  3. If prompted, sign in with your Microsoft account.
  4. Check that your most recent document, photo or other file is present.