In the words of famed inventor Thomas Edison, “Strategy without execution is hallucination.” We now have a strategy. Let’s talk about executing it. In this post, I discuss backup and recovery options for the four primary operating systems using tools they provide at no or low cost.
There’s a lot of variation among products and approaches, as well as additional “free” offerings. To keep things as simple as possible, I’m deliberately ignoring these differences and focusing just on basic backup. And while I don’t include step-by-step instructions, I provide links with further information.
Brief Windows instructions:
- To create a recovery drive: Enter “Create a recovery drive” into Windows Search and follow the instructions. Creating the drive may take some time. The recovery drive should be unencrypted. Verify the recovery drive by restarting your PC with the drive inserted. It should start in recovery mode (this will be obvious). If it starts up normally (not in recovery mode), you need to change the boot sequence in your BIOS. If this statement makes sense, carry on. If it does not, skip the verification step.
- To create a disk image, follow the instructions found at: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-create-a-system-image-in-windows-11-and/036110b8-66bb-4cc7-b9e2-2d66df27d236 . The backup will take some time. Make sure the backup drive is encrypted and large enough to store the disk image. In the File Explorer, if you right-click on the drive you are imaging, “C:” for instance, and click on “Properties,” look for “Used Space.” Size the drive to at least this value plus 10%.
- To create a local file backup, follow the instructions found at: https://www.computerworld.com/article/1621193/how-to-use-file-history-windows-10-windows-11.html . Make sure the backup drive is encrypted. Once enabled, File History will take a snapshot of files in common directories on a schedule that you set. It defaults to hourly. And also set “Keep saved versions” to “Until space is needed.” Otherwise, you will rapidly overflow the drive.
- To create a file backup in the cloud, use Microsoft OneDrive. One Drive provides 5 GB of free cloud storage. Additional storage is available for purchase. Note that only the Desktop, Documents and Pictures directories can be configured to backup automatically. Other files can be backed up manually. And you cannot choose your own encryption key, so consider storing sensitive data in a virtual encrypted disk. More information may be found at: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/back-up-your-windows-pc-87a81f8a-78fa-456e-b521-ac0560e32338#ID0EBF=Windows_10
Brief macOS instructions:
- To create a local disk clone, purchase Carbon Copy Cloner at https://bombich.com . It cost $49.95 the last time I looked. Make sure the backup drive is encrypted.
- To create a local file backup, follow the instructions found at: https://support.apple.com/en-us/104984 . Make sure the backup drive is encrypted.
- To create a file backup in the cloud, use Apple iCloud. iCloud provides 5 GB of free cloud storage. Additional storage is available for purchase. Enable Advanced Data Protection for iCloud to provide end-to-end encryption for your data. More information may be found at: https://support.apple.com/en-us/109344
Brief iOS instructions:
- To create a local file backup, use iTunes on a PC or a Mac. A copy on your laptop is a reasonable approach to maintaining a local backup of your iPhone. If you back up to a USB drive, make sure the backup disk is encrypted.
- To create a file backup in the cloud, use Apple iCloud. iCloud provides 5 GB of free cloud storage. Additional storage is available for purchase. Enable Advanced Data Protection for iCloud to provide end-to-end encryption for your data.
- iPhone backup instructions may be found at: https://support.apple.com/en-us/108771
Brief Android Instructions:
- To create a local file backup to your PC, there are options. Review the information at: https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-backup-android-phone-to-pc-4769775
- To create a file backup in the cloud, use Google Drive. Google Drive provides 15 GB of free cloud storage. Additional storage is available for purchase. Further information may be found at: https://support.google.com/android/answer/2819582?hl=en
In the next post, I review third party options that are more feature-rich, easy to use and convenient—but a little more expensive.
Information provided in this post is subject to the disclaimer in the first post of this series.