How to back up your computer (the easy way)

The 3-2-1 rule

Keep 3 copies of important files, on 2 kinds of storage, with 1 copy somewhere else (like the cloud). It sounds like a lot, but it's easy to set up once.

Windows

• Cloud: Settings → Accounts → Windows Backup backs up your folders to OneDrive (check how much storage your plan has).
• External drive: Control Panel → File History → turn it on and pick your drive.

Mac

• External drive: plug in a drive and choose Use as Backup Disk for Time Machine.
• Cloud: iCloud Drive with Desktop & Documents Folders turned on.

Other good cloud options

Google Drive, Dropbox, or a dedicated service like Backblaze that backs up the whole computer automatically.

Test it

Every few months, restore one file from your backup. A backup you've never tested might not work.

Ransomware tip

Unplug the external backup drive when it isn't backing up, or use a cloud service with version history, so ransomware can't reach your backups too.