Your computer is now the locker where all your history essays, crazy photo gallery and even that Minecraft world reside. The problem is that hard drives are machines without compassion and very prone to failures. Imagine your laptop breaking into pieces or getting a virus and losing all the files the day before finals. This scary scenario can easily be prevented.
There is only one way to sleep calmly at night, and it is automation. You need a backup solution that will be automated and do its job without reminding you about it every time. Otherwise, you will eventually forget. In this article, we will teach you how to create the safety net that will catch you in case the force of nature decided to strike your laptop.
At first, let us consider the cloud backup solutions. These ones are the easiest and most convenient ones for students since most of them have the access to Microsoft OneDrive via their education organization or Google Drive through Gmail. These tools aren't only great for sending files to professors, but they are also great backup solutions that work continuously in the background.
In case you have a Windows laptop, OneDrive becomes your best friend. At first, it will help you to automate the process of backup for your Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders. Every file that is saved in these folders will be instantly moved to servers. Even in case your laptop stops working, you can simply use another computer and find all the files there.
To set it up, look for cloud symbol in your taskbar next to the clock. Simply click it and sign in using your school or personal account. Then, click "Settings" and "Manage Backup". Select the folders that you need to protect. First time it may take several minutes to move the files there, but then it will silently work in the background.
Chromebook users will find a solution similar to Windows one even easier. Most of the times, Google Drive is already integrated in Chromebook in case you are logged in to your account. But still, you shouldn't simply save files to your local storage. Instead, create them directly in Google Docs or Google Sheets. And if you prefer local files, then just drag-and-drop them to the Google Drive folder in your file manager.
Mac users can rely on iCloud Drive that works just like OneDrive. Open your System Settings and click your Apple ID that is located in the top right corner. Then, select "iCloud". Switch on iCloud Drive and turn on "Desktop & Documents Folders". Now your Mac and iPhone are synchronized with the cloud.
But cloud storage isn't always enough. Sometimes, you need a physical backup to ensure that your data is safe even if your internet connection is unstable or just because you are paranoid. This case requires the use of external hard drive. You can buy 1 TB portable one very easily and for a rather low price.
Modern operating systems have a nice tool for this action. On Windows, you use the "File History" feature. You need to plug your external drive and simply click on "File History" in the start menu and "Turn on". Windows will automatically create copies of your files every hour. You will even be able to revert to the previous state of any file in case you accidentally delete some paragraphs from your essay.
Mac users can use Time Machine – one of the best solutions created to ensure safe work of Macs. Just plug in your drive and Mac will ask if you want to use it for Time Machine. Click "Yes". Now, you will be able to create a full copy of your Mac system. If something happens and your computer fails, you will be able to restore everything on a new computer exactly as it was.
The rule of thumb in backup of your data is called 3-2-1 strategy. Although it sounds complicated, it is just math. You need to have three total copies of your data. Two of them are local and stored on different devices, for example, your laptop and external drive. The third one is offsite copy, i.e. the cloud. In case something happens to your home, the cloud copy survives. And if the internet is down, the local copy helps.
You may think that it is complicated to set everything up. But it is only complicated during initial setting process. Once you configure OneDrive or Time Machine, you won't touch it anymore. It just works. It is like insurance that you pay with electricity instead of money. And you don't need to be a tech expert to use it.
The mistake that most of the students make is storing all the files in "Downloads" folder. Unfortunately, this folder is sometimes used as temporary storage that isn't backed up automatically. Try to move your school assignments to your Documents folder right after you create them. Better yet, create separate folders for each class you have. It will simplify the process and will allow you to easily find necessary files in the future.
Think about the amount of time that you spend creating your work. One history essay may require ten hours. Coding assignment can take even twenty. Is it worth spending these hours working on your assignments knowing that everything can be lost by one click of a mouse? The protection of your efforts is just as important as the efforts themselves.
So, don't put this off. Don't wait until you lose your term paper to realize this truth. Choose a tool you like and set it up. And after it is done, you will be able to return to games and social media without that fear that is always in the back of your head. Your future self will thank you when the disaster occurs and you simply restore your files.
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