2 Ways to Perform OneDrive Full Backup

What is Full Backup?

A full backup involves creating at least one complete copy of all the files you want to protect in a single operation. Usually, applications, operating systems, and software cannot be included in a full backup. While this method requires copying a lot of data and can take time, it offers the best protection for your files and allows for easier organization later on.

How to Let Full PC Backup to One Drive

Next, this article will introduce two solutions for backing up your computer to OneDrive in order. The first one is to use OneDrive's desktop App, and the other is to use free third-party backup software. Each method includes a detailed graphic tutorial.

Method 1. Use OneDrive Desktop App

The first way to perform a full PC backup to OneDrive is by using the OneDrive desktop APP. All you need to do is sign in to OneDrive and follow the steps below to backup your PC to OneDrive.

Step 1. Double-click the OneDrive icon on the left side of your taskbar.

Step 2. In the OneDrive pop-up, click Help & Settings, and then in the pop-up menu, choose Settings.

Step 3. Click Backup from the tabs at the top of the OneDrive settings window.

Step 4. In the Important PC Folders section, click Manage backup.

Step 5. Then, OneDrive will display the Manage folder backup screen. Select the files you want to back up.  If you need, you can also backup documents, pictures, etc.

Step 6. Click Start backup.

Method 2. Use Free Backup Software

Although OneDrive can help you back up your entire computer's data to OneDrive, it cannot restore data from the cloud when your local data is lost. In order to better protect data security, it is recommended that you use the professional third-party software AOMEI Backupper Standard to help you back up the entire system to OneDrive. It has these advantages:

🚩 Instant Recovery: Quickly restore lost local data using a previous system backup.
🚩 Scheduled backup: Set regular backup frequencies to sync local changes to OneDrive.
🚩 Multiple Cloud Drives: Supports various cloud storage options, including Dropbox and Google Drive.
🚩 Incremental Backup: Scheduled backups automatically save updated files, and the system will select the incremental backup method for you.

You can download and install this freeware and follow the steps below to start backing up your entire system to OneDrive. If you are a Windows Server user, you can choose this version of AOMEI Backupper Server.

Step 1. Open AOMEI Backupper Standard, and install and launch the software. You can click Backup > System Backup.

Step 2. You can modify the Task Name to distinguish it from other backup tasks. The software will select the system and boot partitions by default as the source. Please select a destination path for your system.

Notes:

• Schedule Backup: You can set the fixed intervals to run the system backup task automatically such as daily, weekly, monthly event trigger or USB plug in. The last two are available in the Pro version.
• Backup Schemes: You can select a backup scheme and it will help you save the target disk space by deleting the older backups. And this feature is supported by the professional version or higher versions.

Step 3. Confirm all your operations and click Start Backup to perform the system backup.

Faqs about OneDrive Full Backup

Q1: Can I back up my whole computer to OneDrive?

A1: Yes, you can back up many files and folders to OneDrive, but you cannot back up your entire computer in one go. Instead, you need to manually upload files or set up backup for specific folders like Documents, Pictures, and Desktop. Additionally, you can use the OneDrive app to automatically sync these folders for easier access across your devices.

Q2: Is everything saved on OneDrive backed up?

A2: Standard folders like Desktop, Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos may not be automatically included in OneDrive. To ensure these folders are backed up and accessible on all your devices, you should manually back them up. Check how to manage your OneDrive backup settings for more information.

Q3: What are the downsides of using OneDrive?

A3: OneDrive has some limitations, such as fewer sharing options, restricted file management features, and limited settings for desktop synchronization. Sharing files with non-Microsoft users can be particularly challenging due to these constraints.

Summary

This article describes what a full backup is and offers two simple methods to back up your files to OneDrive. You can use the OneDrive desktop app or free third-party backup software. I recommend the second option because it not only creates a full backup to OneDrive but also allows for quick recovery if you lose data, providing extra security for your files.

Additionally, its Universal Restore feature lets you restore backups to computers with different hardware if needed. There are many more useful features to discover, so you can download this free software to learn more.