How to Back Up Your Important Files
Hardware fails, devices get lost, and ransomware happens. A good backup means you never lose what matters. Follow the simple 3-2-1 approach.
Step-by-step
- 1
Decide what to back up
Focus on irreplaceable files: documents, photos, videos, and important downloads. Programs can be reinstalled, so they're a lower priority.
- 2
Set up cloud backup
Use a cloud service (such as OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, or a dedicated backup service) to automatically sync your key folders. This protects you if your device is lost or damaged.
- 3
Add a local backup
Copy your files to an external drive as a second copy. On Windows use File History; on Mac use Time Machine for automatic local backups.
- 4
Follow the 3-2-1 rule
Keep 3 copies of important data, on 2 different types of media, with 1 copy off-site (such as the cloud). This protects against almost any single failure.
- 5
Test your backup
Open a few backed-up files to confirm they restore correctly. A backup you've never tested isn't one you can trust.
Helpful tips
- Automate backups so they happen without you remembering — set-and-forget is the most reliable approach.
- For businesses, we set up automated, monitored backups with tested recovery.