This article on MiniTool Solution will walk you through why set up automatic backups to network drive is important, the different backup approaches, and how to backup to network drive via File History, Backup and Restore (Windows 7), OneDrive, and a reliable third-party solution – MiniTool ShadowMaker.
Why Should You Backup to Network Drive?
A network drive is a storage device that can be connected to a local area network (LAN) in a business or home environment. Because of this, many businesses and homes rely on it to share files with others. Within a business, a network drive is usually located on a server or a network-attached storage (NAS) device. But why do you need to set up automatic backups to network drive?
To prevent data loss, backing up data to a network drive is a good choice. Shared folders or drives on the network are convenient spots for data backup because if your computer is connected to the network, you don’t have to reserve storage space on your computer and you can access the data more easily over the network.
In this guide, we will demonstrate how to create automatic file backup to network drive.
Windows Backup Features: File History, and Backup and Restore (Windows 7)
Windows 10 offers two distinct file backup features, namely File History, and Backup and Restore (Windows 7). Therefore, in Windows 10, you possess at least three approaches to automatically create backups and restore your files and documents to prevent accidental deletion, hardware malfunctions, or system failures from harming your data.
These backup options come with different characteristics, and you can select the most appropriate one based on your requirements.
File History
File History is an intrinsic function in the Windows operating system that enables you to backup to network drive or external drive at various intervals throughout the day to prevent data loss. This feature operates by regularly scanning specified folders in Library, and saving the changed files.
Thus, even in the case of an unexpected situation, you can restore to a previous version with ease. You can store as many backups as your storage space permits, which could amount to several terabytes. Hence, this option is particularly significant for users with a large volume of data (such as videos, music, software collections, and vital files).
Also see: How to Enable or Disable File History in Windows? Look Here!
Backup and Restore (Windows 7)
Backup and Restore (Windows 7) is the second automatic file backup option presented by Windows 10. This feature not only supports the regular backup of personal files but also enables the creation of a complete system image, facilitating quick restoration to a previous state when necessary.
This process involves backing up crucial data and configuration settings to a portable drive or a network-shared folder (such as a specific directory on a NAS server).
It’s similar to File History but offers more flexibility, such as choosing what to include and when to carry out the task. However, it’s worth noting that you can only schedule an incremental backup once a day, a week or a month.
This implies that if you miss a scheduled backup, some newly created data might not be saved in time. These backup copies are mainly stored locally, so they can effectively protect against the risks of accidental deletion, hardware failures, and system crashes.
Now, it’s time to see how to set up automatic backups to network drive.
1. Windows 10 Backup to Network Drive via File History
Step 1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Backup.
Step 2. In the Back up using File History section, click the More options button below. Then click See advanced settings to open the old-style Control Panel.
Step 3. Click Select drive > Add network location and select your network drive as the backup destination. Then the Automatically backup my files switch will be enabled automatically.
Step 4. Click More options to specify how often to automatically backup data to network drive (every hour is default) and how long to keep backups. You can also scroll down to see a list of folders that will be backed up automatically, with controls for adding to removing locations from that list.
After completing these steps, Windows’s File History feature has successfully set up automatic backups to network drive and will start regularly backing up your files.
To restore your data, read the post – How to Restore Files with File History in Windows 10 – 3 Steps.
2. Set up Automatic Backups to Network Drive from Backup and Restore (Windows 7)
Alternatively, you can also use the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) feature to create automatic backups of your files to a network drive.
To create automatic file backups from this backup tool, use these steps:
Step 1. Open Control Panel > click on System and Security > select Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
Step 2. Click the Set up backup option under the Back up or restore your files section.
Step 3. Select the Save on a network button to choose a shared folder in the network to back up your files to your local Network Attached Storage (NAS). Click the Next button.
Step 4. Select the Let me choose option and click the Next button.
Step 5. You can clear all the default selections to select the folders and locations with files you want to include the backup (for example, desktop, documents, pictures, videos, and downloads folder) under Computer. Click the Next button.
Step 6. Click the Change schedule button and check the Run backup on a schedule option. Then you can specify how often to automatically backup data to network drive and what time to keep backups and set up automatic backups to network drive. Click the OK button.
Step 7. Click the Save settings and run backup button.
Once you complete the steps, the backup process will begin for the first time, and then follow-up backups will be performed on schedule.
3. Easier Way to Set up Automatic Backups to Network Drive
It’s essential to pick a suitable software for automatically backing up data to network drive, or external hard drives when using Windows 10 or 11. Among numerous backup software, MiniTool ShadowMaker is highly commended for its remarkable performance and flexible features.
MiniTool ShadowMaker is a free backup software compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7 and offers diverse flexible backup solutions, making it a favored choice for many users. For business users, its advanced version supports Windows Server and Workstation.
One major advantage of this software is that it simplifies the backup process. You don’t need to carry out the complex operations of the two mentioned backup tools. They can set automatic data backup plans to easily save specific folders or files with important information. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of data loss caused by human errors.
Additionally, MiniTool ShadowMaker allows you to set the execution frequency as needed, such as daily, weekly, or monthly, to ensure the data is up-to-date. Furthermore, it can back up files and folders, the system, partitions, and the entire disk, cloning HDD to SSD or moving Windows to another drive. Let’s set up automatic backups to network drive using MiniTool ShadowMaker.
MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Step 1. After downloading and installing this tool, open it and click on Keep Trial to enter its home page.
Step 2. In the Backup page, click SOURCE > Folders and Files to choose the files you want to protect. Then go to DESTINATION to select your network drive as the destination path.
Step 3. To set an automatic backup, you can hit Options in the lower right corner and toggle on Schedule Settings. Now you can pick up a time point to back up your data daily, weekly, monthly, or on events. Click OK to continue.
Step 4. Hit Back Up Now to start an instant backup.
Addition: Create File Backup on Windows 10 from OneDrive
For the majority of Windows 10 users, OneDrive is undoubtedly a very convenient and efficient data management solution.
When you log in and start saving documents and other types of information to the OneDrive cloud service, the platform will automatically synchronize and update your database in real-time. This means that no matter where you are, whether at home or on the move, as long as you have an internet connection, you can access your important information at any time.
At the same time, since all data is securely stored in the cloud, it also provides you with an additional layer of protection, effectively reducing the risk of damage to physical devices. Furthermore, collaborating with others to edit documents becomes much easier by sharing links.
OneDrive offers 5GB of free cloud storage. But if you need more space, you have to purchase a Microsoft 365 subscription to get access to the full 1TB storage space.
In fact, OneDrive does not intend to use any part of the network drive, but here we compare it with other backup features.
To create file backups automatically to OneDrive on Windows 10, use these steps:
Step 1. Open the OneDrive app and log into your account.
Step 2. Click Help & Settings > Settings. Then, go to Sync and backup > Manage backup.
Step 3. Select the folders to back up in the cloud, including desktop, documents, and pictures. Then click the Save changes button.
These steps assist you in backing up your profile folder to OneDrive.
Comparison of the Four Backup Tools
After going through all this information, you might wonder about the differences among these four tools and which one to select to set up automatic backups to network drive.
File History has a distinct limitation: it only backs up folders in Library. If you aim to back up files on other partitions, you have to add the necessary ones to the specific directory, and then you can conduct the automatic data backup.
To create automatic file backup, Backup and Restore (Windows 7) is an optional choice, yet it doesn’t enable automatic backup when logging in or exiting the operating system like MiniTool ShadowMaker does.
As for OneDrive, while it provides an excellent solution that allows you to access files from anywhere with an internet connection and easily share files with others, it does not offer the same comprehensive system or disk imaging capabilities as some professional backup software. And OneDrive also does not offer scheduled backup.
Furthermore, you may frequently confront issues with Windows backup function failing, such as backup not running normally, the automatic backup not working, and not backing up at the scheduled time.
As you can perceive, MiniTool ShadowMaker is worthy of recommendation and trial because it’s simpler and more flexible to automatically back up any file on the computer to network drive. Similarly, system backup, partition backup, and disk backup can be accomplished effortlessly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the four different types of data protection solutions have their unique advantages and limitations. In practical applications, you should take into account your specific circumstances, such as the significance of the data, and whether they frequently work remotely.
Then you can choose the most suitable method to set up automatic backups to network drive. MiniTool ShadowMaker is worth a try.
MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
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About The Author
Position: Columnist
Nan is always interested in writing and exploring new things. Her enthusiasm for writing leads her to become an English editor. She likes to share helpful information about kinds of Android issues with readers and focuses on PC backup and restore. She also loves to read books and watch documentaries in her spare time.