Automatically Backup a Folder to A Network Drive
Do you know how to back up your folders automatically? You could create a backup plan by using third-party software or using the Windows built-in tool. And then you can automatically backup a folder to a network drive. So, you can restore these folders in time when something unexpected happens to your computer. And this article will introduce three ways to back up a folder to a network drive automatically.
What Is Network Drive?
So it means a network drive is also a kind of storage device. And it can be connected to other computers in a local area network. So many businesses or homes will use it to share files with others.
The following section will describe many other benefits of automatically backing up folders to a network drive.
Why Automatically Backup a Folder to A Network Drive?
An automatic backup to the network drive can prevent us from forgetting backup tasks and reduce backup maintenance work. And automatically backing up a folder to a network drive can also bring many benefits. A network drive is chosen mainly for the following reasons:
- Large capacity: network storage generally provides free memory.
- Shareability: It allows users to access other computers.
- Convenience: Files can be accessed anytime and anywhere.
- Security: Store files on network drives can avoid the problems caused by system crashes.
In a word, it makes sense to set up an automatic backup folder to the network drive. It is easy to operate and won't waste much time. Next, I will introduce three quick ways to automatically back up a folder to a network drive on Windows 10.
How to Automatically Backup a Folder to A Network Drive
It is necessary to set up automatic backup folders to network drives. In Windows 10, there are at least three ways to help you automate this task:
- Third-party software: Qiling Backup Home
- Windows built-in tool: Backup and Restore
- File History Windows 10
All three methods allow you to set up a backup schedule and backup your folders to a network drive. However, they have some other differences:
| Comparison | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Content | Folder, disks, and system image | Files, folders, and system image | Files and folders |
| Security | Encrypt backup images | No protection | No protection |
| Backup method | Full, incremental, and differential backup | Full backup | Full and incremental |
Next are the specific steps for the three automatic backup methods.It is clear that all three methods above can meet the basic requirements for automatic backup. But Qiling Backup is able to meet more needs and is the best choice. It can back up more content, and it is also the best incremental backup software on Windows 10, which can help us save space and increase efficiency.
Method 1: Use Qiling Backup to Automatically Backup a Folder to A Network Drive
Qiling Backup is professional backup software. It can meet all your demand for backup. You can easily backup files and folders or backup hard drive. And it allows you to store your backups locally, on a NAS, or clone PC to new PC. There are more functions:
- It supports the system and partition backup.
- It allows you to back up safely. The files can be encrypted.
- It has a backup filter to exclude useless content and save more space.
- It supports rapid system image recovery when the system crashes.
Besides, it is powerful to support all kinds of Windows, such as Windows 11/10/8 and windows vista/XP. And Qiling Backup is easy to operate, and everyone who downloads it can automatically back up their folder easily. Here are the steps:
Step 1. To start backup, click the File backup button.
Step 2. On the left-hand side, you'll see a list of local and network files. Selecting the files to be backed up by expanding the directory.
Step 3. Follow the instructions on the screen and pick the location where you wish to store the backup.
Step 4. In Backup Options, click Options to encrypt the backup with a password, specify the backup schedule, there are a variety of customizable features available for you to explore, and you may tailor the backup operation to meet your specific requirements.
And choose whether or not to start the backup at a certain event in Backup Scheme.
Step 5. Backups can be stored on a local disk, in Qiling's cloud service, or on a network attached storage device (NAS).
Step 6. Qiling Backup allows customers to back up data to a third-party cloud drive or the company's own cloud storage.
If you wish to back up your data to a third-party cloud drive, select Local Drive, scroll down to add Cloud Device and enter your account information.
Step 7. To begin a backup, choose Proceed. It will appear in the shape of a card on the left-hand panel when the backup process has been successfully finished. To handle the backup job in more detail, click on it.
Method 2: Use File History to Automatically Backup a Folder to A Network Drive
File History is a tool that comes with Windows. By default, File History backs up all the files in your user folder, including the desktop, documents, downloads, and pictures folders. Also, all changed files will be automatically stored on the network drive.
Step 1: Open Open "Settings" from the Start menu.
Step 2: Go to Update & security and choose "Backup."
Step 3: Click the "Add a network location" option to add a network drive.
Step 4: Turn on the "Automatically back up my files" button. And click "More options".
Step 5: Set the backup time and click "Back up now" to start the automatic backup.
Method 3: Use Backup and Restore to Automatically Backup a Folder to A Network Drive
Backup and Restore(Windows 7) follow the design of Windows 7, but it can also be used for the automatic backup of folders in Windows 10. It allows backing up folders to a NAS server or other network drives. In contrast to file history, it also provides the ability to restore files. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Open the control panel and click "System and Security."
Step 2: Find "Backup and Restore."
Step 3: Click " Set up backup" on the right side.
Step 4: Choose "Save on a network" on the right corner.
Step 5: Click "Browse" to add a network drive or simply type the network location. Then enter the username and password, and click "OK."
Step 6: Click "Next." And then select "Let Windows choose" or create a custom backup.
Step 7: Click "Change schedule" to set an automatic backup time. And then click "Save settings and run backup."
Conclusion
This article covers three ways to automatically back up folders to a network drive. You can choose one depending on your habits. But Qiling Backup is a more comprehensive backup option that can help you with a lot less hassle. As the best backup software, it's worth a try!
FAQs about Automatically Backup a Folder to A Network Drive
The above introduces the three most comprehensive ways to automatically back up your folders. And here are some frequently asked questions.
1. Does Windows 10 automatically backup files?
Windows 10 can automatically backup files via "File History" and "Backup and Restore." In addition, you can set the backup plan on Windows 10.
2. How do I automatically backup files to my NAS?
You can automatically backup files to NAS using professional backup software, such as Qiling Backup. Or you can use Windows Backup and Restore tool.
Step 1: Open "Control panel" and choose "System and Security."
Step 2: Select " Backup and Restore."
Step 3: Set a backup or create a system image.
3. Does Windows 10 have a file backup program?
Yes. In Windows 10, you can find "File History" and "Backup and Restore" in the control panel. Both tools can backup files.
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