You can easily set up automatic backup to a network drive in Windows 11/10. Use MiniTool ShadowMaker for flexible file/system/disk/partition backup. Or run File History for personal folders or Backup and Restore (Windows 7) to create system images.
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.
How to Set up Automatic Backup to Network Drive Windows 11/10
Quickly Choose the Tool That Fits You
Windows 11/10 offers two built-in tools, File History and Backup and Restore (Windows 7), to help you back up files to a network drive. You can also use third-party backup software like MiniTool ShadowMaker.
These methods differ in features. Compare them below to choose the right one based on your needs.
| Method | Best for | Automation |
| MiniTool ShadowMaker | File, folder, system, disk, and partition backup | Daily, weekly, monthly, or on an event |
| File History | Personal files and folders in libraries | Every hour (default)/10 minutes/15 minutes/20 minutes/30 minutes/3 hours/6 hours/12 hours/Daily |
| Backup and Restore (Windows 7) | File backup and system images | Daily, weekly, or monthly |
Method 1: Automatically Back Up Data to Network Drive with MiniTool ShadowMaker
The simplest method to create automatic file backups to a network drive is to use a professional backup software.
MiniTool ShadowMaker is highly commended for its remarkable performance and flexible features.
It 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. Furthermore, it can back up files and folders, the system, partitions, and the entire disk.
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.
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.
Step 3. Go to DESTINATION, click Add, and follow the on-screen instructions to add a shared folder. Then, choose it as the destination path.
Step 4. 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.
Method 2: Windows 11/10 Automatic Backup to Network Drive with 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.
Step 1. Open Control Panel and set View by to Large icons.
Step 2. Choose File History.
Step 3. Click Select drive > Add network location and select your network drive as the backup destination.
Step 4. Click Advanced settings and choose how often you want to save copies of your files.
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.
Method 3: 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.
Comparison of the 3 Backup Tools
After going through all this information, you might wonder about the differences among these 3 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.
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 three 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
We highly value your feedback and precious suggestions after trying our product, so please don’t hesitate to contact us via [email protected].
User Comments :