Using OneDrive for Nearly Continuous Backup

⚜️ OneDrive can be used for many things, but one of the most valuable is ongoing online backup.
⚜️ OneDrive as backup
You’ll need a Microsoft account to use OneDrive.
OneDrive is included in Windows 10, and can be downloaded and installed on older versions of Windows.
Setting up OneDrive creates a OneDrive folder on your PC.
OneDrive automatically copies files and folders in that OneDrive folder to the cloud and other PCs.
Setting OneDrive as the default location to save documents makes using it transparent.
Updates, related links, and more discussion: askleo.com/29368
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✅ Watch next ▶ The Problem With OneDrive Backup ▶ • The Problem With OneDr...
Chapters
0:00 OneDrive Continuous Backup
1:20 Configure OneDrive
2:00 OneDrive folder location
2:30 Turn off Backup filters on this PC
3:30 OneDrive online
4:00 Changes sync
5:10 Set OneDrive folder to be default
9:00 OneDrive keeps old versions
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#askleo #oneDrive #backup

[@askleonotenboom]

Even if you use it for nothing else, use OneDrive for this.

[@BerserkPublishing]

Here is my main concern with OneDrive. I have known people, myself included, that lost data on OneDrive. It was not due to an accidental deletion. It was not found in the Trash. Full disclosure, I am a Microsoft Alumni who used to work in the OS support and training departments. So, I am quite familiar with not only OneDrive, but many things that pre-date it. I know Microsoft has done a much better job with OneDrive recently, but there are still matters of people losing data. They are not consistent, so it is probably not fair to indicate that there is a problem with OneDrive today. That said, people need to be sure that their files reside on both their local drive as well as OneDrive. While Microsoft's ability to put a file stub locally while keeping the data on OneDrive is nice to save space, it can cause a lot of confusion, especially if you think you're also backing up locally. Personally, I keep my backup drives on the portable SSDs. The prices are so good now, you basically pay for several Terabytes vs. 1TB for one year, assuming you don't use Office. The portable drives are nice because you can grab and go. It is true, you may not be able to get to your drive if there is a fire, but if you are that worried you can unplug the drive at night and put it on a nightstand in your bedroom. My point is that you can have robust backup plan without OneDrive or other vendors. That said, OneDrive, and others, are great for collaboration or if you want to share photos, videos with co-workers or family.

[@jrgomez]

Really like this video. I'll definitely follow this backup strategy. Thanks!

[@user-qb1mx5fk7f]

Thank you again for another great explainer. Time to apply what I've learned on my new laptop.

[@mikekingsborough1]

Thank you for the video Leo.

[@jcddcjjcdnz]

This is an excellent chanel because it can upskill new or inexperienced windows users. Many sites aim to high for those wanting to learn windows.

[@JohnW118]

Excellent. I added Excel as well.

[@reallyisitjustme]

I use Onedrive Backup to save space on my hard drive and use the status icons, cloud or tick, to know if the file is saved on my computer or in the cloud. To choose the status of a file, I right click on it and can then choose "free up space" or "always keep on device".

[@DavidM2002]

Were it not for the versioning, I would call this a sync and not a backup. After 30 days, it's not a backup for older files. I would not rely on Onedrive for my backups. I do think that the Office 365 annual subscription is great value though. I get to share with 5 other people and each of us gets 1 Tb of Onedrive storage.

[@q95oldies57]

I use idrive, p cloud and Dropbox plus several local external drives.

[@kirksteinklauber260]

Interesting video!! Quick one: After i define a new default folder in Word (as an example), any other file or sub-folder created within that Word Saved Document will also replicate automatically? or only when I use word and save only word documents?

[@askleonotenboom]

All files.

[@No.ThatPrettyGirl]

TGANK YOU❣️

[@dansanger5340]

I think if you just let Windows back up your Documents folder, you wouldn't need to go through the extra steps. Yes, I watched your other video about using the OneDrive backup feature, so it should probably only be done if you know what you're doing.

[@whiz3528]

Microsoft commandeering out data under the pretense of file space.

[@richardmaynard6381]

Leo, on a back up question. I have a full image just made and I have a new drive that I want to replace it ane then add the image one the new drive. I use Acronis home pro. I am not sure the steps to do this. Could you give step by step on how to do this. Or should I make a clone drive and replace the old drive with the clone? I realy enjoy your daily you tube postings, and have learned a lot from them.

[@askleonotenboom]

It's been years since I've used Acronis, but in concept: make whatever Acronis calls recovery or emergency media, boot from that, and then use that to restore the image to the replacement drive.

[@peterjackson2625]

Google has continuous backup for its apps like Google Docs. The user doesn't have to install anything and you don't have to deliberately do anything. It just happens automatically And it's FREE.

[@askleonotenboom]

And it's online, thus if you lose your account for any reason it's also ... gone.

[@NoEgg4u]

Instead of creating a sub-directory (for example, for Word documents) within your OneDrive directory, can you instead configure OneDrive to sync other directories -- perhaps your documents directory?

[@askleonotenboom]

OneDrive does not allow you to specific specific folders outside of the OneDrive folder for backup. If you turn on their backup "feature" (which is something separate from what this video is about) OneDrive will MOVE your Documents, Pictures, and another folder or two into your OneDrive folder - often with disastrous results.

[@NoEgg4u]

@@askleonotenboomI do not use OneDrive. But I am still curious about its functionality. It helps me to learn, and to help others that might be seeking help. That is why I asked. If I were using OneDrive, I would test it myself. With the above in mind, I have one more question: Will OneDrive follow a symbolic link to some other directory (via the "junction" or "mklink" command)? If yes, then you should be able to have OneDrive act on any directory, by creating a symbolic link within OneDrive's directory. Windows is a bit choosy when it comes to symbolic links. I discovered this when I was using a "map network drive" on a remote system. Consider computer #1 and computer #2: From #1, I was able to access the remote drive on #2. I then (while logged in directly to #2) created a symbolic link on #2's drive, to yet some other location. From #1, Windows complained and refused to let me access the target of computer #2's symbolic link. When logged directly in to #2, the symbolic link worked. But when I accessed that symbolic link while on #1, as a mapped drive, Windows balked (I do not recall the message -- but it was a refusal). So I wonder what the behavior would be if a symbolic link were used within the OneDrive directory that targets some non OneDrive directory? Perhaps you can test this, if you are also interested in the answer?

[@Yorschek6869]

OneDrive personal or OneDrive live?

[@franciscohorna5542]

1 question can you uninstall onedrive from yer system or is it tied to windows not going to do that just wanted to know i dont use it have it turned off in startup

[@askleonotenboom]

You can uninstall it, yes. It's even listed in Settings -> Apps.

[@franciscohorna5542]

@@askleonotenboom ok good to know ill keep it

[@exmuslim1330]

Outlook .pst files will not syncronizie on OneDrive and causing issue, can you show us how to fix this issue

[@askleonotenboom]

Don't put your live pst files in dropbox. I'm not being snarky, it's just not what you should be doing. You can copy backup pst files to OneDrive just fine, but only as those files are never directly opened by Outlook.

[@colt5189]

Are these files encrypted before being uploaded to Onedrive?

[@askleonotenboom]

No.

[@andrewkeir9561]

I've just had am email from OneDrive saying they think I have ransomware and they're going to delete files they think are involved from my OneDrive. It's not much use having a backup if someone can randomly decide to delete it; I don't feel I can rely on OneDrive so, reluctantly, I'm going to have to find something else - unless you can advise me how to prevent MS from randomly deleting my OneDrive files? Not your fault I know, but I'm stuck - I hadn't realised MS could just do this whenever they choose. A backup someone else can wipe isn't really a backup.

[@askleonotenboom]

I've never heard of OneDrive randomly deleting files other than for being over quota. Are you sure that isn't a phishing email?

[@andrewkeir9561]

I did take every precaution I could think of - accessing OneDrive from my own links, not the ones in the email, and so on. I felt it was unclear from their emails exactly what they'd delete; in fairness to them, they provided a list of files which looked hooky and which I couldn't trace to anything on my computer (which tested clean on Avast). Trouble is, I have an encrypted folder on OneDrive - access details to bank accounts and such - and I do wonder if OneDrive was complaining about the encrypted files. But they did seem very determined that they were going to wipe files they believed to be ransomware, unless I specifically requested them not to. Please keep AskLeo going, it's an invaluable help to an old Fortran programmer 🙂 @@askleonotenboom

[@jonr6680]

Not sure if I said this before but really got Excel files corrupted by the long paths in the OneDrive server... Made me lose my mind. The formulae got corrupted and then as the files are constantly uploaded/downloaded, the original local file is mirrored on OneDrive, both were the same i.e. trashed. (Excel replaced the formula with the value. No error message at all.) So you need to make your OWN backup manually away from OneDrive. And you need a manual version control system. Microsoft has versioning as the video says but not sure I'd trust it! They call it History, bit like Apple. But it's not Apple!! If you make a change or error you don't notice, all those automatic versions just get overwritten with the error eventually. So I would not rely on OneDrive as a backup UNLESS you COPY local files from another folder to the OneDrive syncing folder. And not reliable version control either, unless you append numbering indexing like (1) (2) etc for INTENTIONAL versioning. Or describe the status in the filename like 'revision C before change xyz'. OneDrive is pretty pointless unless you need to access your files from different devices or locations, or share them with other users. THEN it is great especially with office docs etc. Sorry Leo, on a real downer for MS these days. And trust for any tech or media pretty much zero. Lost too many USB sticks, cards, etc to corruption. One is none!

[@SpiritintheSky.]

A model video.

[@maagu4779]

I agree. A court order to reveal your otherwise personal information is now locked away in some warehouse with the warehouse owners obliged to open it upon a "judges" request, and they can keep you out as well. I will say that if asked by law enforcement to do so, they may back up your files from your computer, even without your knowledge! (via a back door). All this means is that they won't have to raid your home or business or even need take your computer. I think the FBI would really like that feature!

[@johntrim7169]

I was scrolling through KZbin, saw your face, thought you were Bernard Sumner and clicked on the link hoping for another album with Hooky. I can't stop laughing at myself.

[@boblangill6209]

OneDrive is a Microsoft service. As such, is there a service charge, or is it a free and unrestricted service?

[@askleonotenboom]

15GB free storage. You can buy more. Most cost effective is to subscribe to Microsoft 365, which gets you a terabyte.

[@montebont]

@@askleonotenboom I have a MS 365 subscription but my files are still corrupted. NEVER TRUST ONEDRIVE OR MICROSOFT for backups.... Been there, done that and learned some painful lessons...

[@er...]

@@askleonotenboom 15gb? I only got 5!

[@boblangill6209]

@@askleonotenboom That works for some. I don't have a need for Microsoft 365, and my photo files are over 340 GB. I've got a 2TB account with iDrive that runs me $40 a year.

[@askleonotenboom]

Sorry, got it backwards. Outlook.com gets 15GB for free, OneDrive gets 5GB.