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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Use OneDrive to store and sync selected PC folders in the cloud; use Windows Backup to save selected Windows settings and app references for setup on a new consumer PC. They work together rather than serving as direct substitutes. If you also want a copy independent of cloud sync, add an external drive.
Windows Backup vs. OneDrive: what each one does
| Option | What it stores or does | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Backup | Selected Windows settings and app references; it can also help select supported folders for OneDrive sync. | Restoring selected settings and app references during setup of a new consumer PC. |
| OneDrive | Cloud file storage and synchronization for files in OneDrive and selected protected Windows folders. | Keeping files accessible through File Explorer, the web, and other devices. |
| External drive | A separate local copy of files you choose to copy or back up. | Adding a copy independent of the current OneDrive sync state. |
Microsoft describes the Windows Backup app as focused on consumer devices signed in with a personal Microsoft account. Its [Windows Backup guidance] covers selecting settings and folders, then restoring available selections during new-device setup. OneDrive is a separate sync service and supports personal as well as work or school accounts, though organization policies can limit features on managed devices.
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Does OneDrive back up Desktop and Documents?
Windows Backup can guide you to protect supported standard folders by syncing them to OneDrive. Microsoft currently lists Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music. The files then use your OneDrive cloud storage and are available through the same account on other devices.
Microsoft says a free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of OneDrive storage; the cited support page does not specify a publication year for that allowance. Check your account’s current capacity before enabling folder protection, especially if the selected folders contain large files.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
To set it up, open Start > Settings > Accounts > Windows backup, then review the folder and settings options shown on your PC. Availability and labels may differ by Windows version. Windows Backup can also include settings such as accessibility, accounts and Wi-Fi information, personalization, and language preferences. Personalization backup requires signing in to OneDrive and having storage available.
Will OneDrive sync delete files everywhere?
It can. OneDrive sync propagates additions, changes, and deletions between the cloud and devices syncing the same files. That behavior is useful for keeping devices aligned, but synchronization alone is not a fully independent backup: an unwanted change or deletion may also reach the online copy and other synced devices.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Files On-Demand can show cloud files in File Explorer without downloading every file to the PC. An online-only file needs an internet connection when you open it; mark files for local availability when you need offline access. The OneDrive sync client also lets you choose which OneDrive folders are synced to a particular PC. See Microsoft’s [OneDrive sync guidance for Windows] for details.
How do I restore files and settings on a new PC?
Restore Windows settings and app references
- On the new consumer PC, sign in during Windows setup with the same personal Microsoft account used for the available backup.
- When Windows offers an available backup, choose it to restore the selections it contains.
- After setup, check your apps. Microsoft Store app pins can be restored, but some non-Store apps need to be downloaded and installed again from their original source.
The backup is not a complete image of every installed program and file. It is intended to restore selected Windows settings and app references; files stored in OneDrive are accessed by signing in to OneDrive.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Recover deleted OneDrive files
Microsoft’s [OneDrive deleted-file guidance] gives a recycle-bin recovery period of 30 days for personal accounts and 93 days for work or school accounts, unless an administrator has changed the work or school retention setting. Items permanently removed from the recycle bin cannot be recovered through that route. Microsoft 365 subscribers can also use whole-OneDrive restore to roll back activity within the previous 30 days, as described in its [OneDrive restore instructions].
What happens when you stop folder protection?
Check where your files will remain before changing folder protection. Microsoft’s [folder protection instructions] say that when stopping backup, you may choose to keep files only in OneDrive or only on the PC. If files are cloud-only, download them before making a change that requires local copies.
Rank #4
- 【Upgraded version】 - The mirror logo strip is combined with the striped non-slip design. The rounded corners of the shell are more suitable for holding. The strips play a heat dissipation function to ensure a stable and fast transmission process.
- 【Ultra-thin and quiet】 - The motherboard adopts JMicron 578 noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Pairing this external hard drive with JMicron 578 solution USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces enables blazing-fast data transfer. It boasts theoretical read speeds of up to 125MB/s and write speeds of up to 103MB/s.
- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
Which option should you choose?
| Your priority | Practical choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Restore selected Windows settings and app references on a new consumer PC | Windows Backup with the same personal Microsoft account | It is designed to carry selected settings and app references into new-device setup. |
| Access Desktop, Documents, Pictures, or other supported folders across devices | Enable folder protection to OneDrive | Selected folders sync to the cloud and are available through the same account. |
| Reduce local disk use for a large cloud library | OneDrive Files On-Demand and selective sync | Files can stay online-only, and you can choose which folders sync to the PC. |
| Keep a copy independent of OneDrive’s current sync state | Make an additional copy on an external drive | A separate copy is not simply another view of the same synced files. |
Before choosing, consider account eligibility, what data you need stored, how much local disk space and offline access you need, available cloud capacity, and how you would recover a deleted or damaged file. Microsoft describes external drives as one possible backup destination in its [Windows backup and restore guidance]; using one is optional, not a requirement for Windows Backup or OneDrive.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
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