How to backup your computer with an external hard drive (HDD)

In this video I show how to use an external harddrive to backup your data. This video is for someone who doesnt know how to use a hard drive, or has never needed to back anything up before.
If you know what a hard drive is, then this video might not be for you.
I will be uploading a video shortly on how to use an advance method of system backup to completely backup your files for free, so subscribe if you want to see that video!

If you need a hard drive, I can recommend this. I am not an affiliate, so this link is just a link to an amazon product.

[stephenselbie]

Best video for "normal" people I have watched.
Done at a pace you can follow and assumes you are not computer literate, but not stupid.
Well done

[lrigdrenlrigdren]

Thank you. I am afraid to ask people basic questions, because they usually humiliate instead of helping. I know I can do things, but I do have to be taught, and I think everyone does. Some people just learned so early, they don't remember being taught. Others of us didn't have access to computers when we were young, and we do need help with the basics.

An old friend set up something called "SyncBack" on my laptop to do backups to an external hard drive. I just hooked up the external drive, opened Syncback and saw "Full Backup" at the top, and "Run" on a button at the bottom. I ran it ... for 6.5 hours ... and it said the backup failed. I can't reach that friend for help. I'm thinking this is a topic for the more advanced video! I also think my friend may have set up something more complicated than I need (probably my fault for not communicating clearly). I just want to back up not only my Microsoft files but also a few other programs, before I upgrade from Windows 10 to 11, and then also get in the habit of backing up more regularly. I think my lack of knowledge about the correct vocabulary, has made it harder for me to ask for what I really need. Thank goodness for nice helpful people like you!

[Thagurew]

Not sure if this helps anyone that may run into the same snag but "Clicking & Dragging" the icons remained as a short cut for me but what did work was simply "Copy & Pasting" to the External hard drive. Thanks for the upload of this video.

[advalaii]

I needed to back up my files and your video was the first one that explained it very well in detail. Thank you.

[frunomaol]

I found your pacing and progression through the topic clear and helpful. I learned some useful tips. (Thanks for explaining why the pc hard disc is labelled "C"; now there is one less mystery in my universe.) Being picky, I found the background music a bit of a distraction. This is the first of your videos that I have watched. Thanks

[janaswank]

Thank you for making this video you saved my son from having to explain and you saved my sanity have a great day!!

[dth]

Thank You for having patience to teach me how to use external hard drive. !!!

[voncilegissendaner-wilson]

Kyle, This video was so quick and easy to understand. Thanks so much. Voncile

[CompSomAnichi]

Thank you so much! I was having some nervousness trying this out and your vid helped. Tysm!

[pcburke]

Perfect. Good pace. Easy to understand by a neophyte like myself. Thank you for your explanation

[SoniaDube-lp]

Thank you! You explained everything VERY well...I really appreciate it :)

[NicoleLooby]

Thank you for the important information on shortcuts, so helpful.

[lindamarchand]

Thank you for very clear, calm and precise instructions. I do wonder how many GB are on external hard drives... but that's not what your video was about. Now I won't feel intimidated by how to use one... no mystery anymore... Great! Buying one soon! No more worrying about losing files, if by some chance my pc crashes. Thanks again. 2 thumbs up!

[phil]

thank you for taking the time to make this video. very easy to follow! =)

[randycatalano]

Thank you for the refresher. Its been a long time. Great and easy to follow. Many Thanks

[lisabaez]

Amazing explanation! Thank you for sharing! I truly appreciate it.

[bethanycoulter]

Thank you! This was very easy to understand and follow!

[patrickrwhite]

I need to have my SSD upgraded so should I back up program files and if so do you have a video for this. I don't want to have to download it all over again! Thanks, I enjoyed your video. GARY.

[myragrapa]

very nice, easy to follow. i think my dad could understand it!

[pirateshack]

Hi Kyle, probably a dumb question but being a non tech musician, I'm trying to free up disk space on my windows 10 for my pc music programs to run better. I've transferred my files to an external HD successfully. Is it safe to delete those files from my pc now ? Thank you !