How to Backup Windows Server to OneDrive Easily (3 Ways)

 Windows Server Backup to OneDrive

OneDrive is the Microsoft cloud service that connects you to all your files. It allows you to store and protect your files, share them with others, and get to them from anywhere on all your devices. OneDrive offers a reliable cloud storage solution that integrates seamlessly with Windows Server, providing an additional layer of security against data loss due to hardware failures, cyberattacks, or human errors.

Here are three key reasons to back up your Windows Server to OneDrive.

Benefits of Backing Up to OneDrive

• Security: Backing up Windows Server to OneDrive boosts data security. Since OneDrive stores data remotely, you can still access it even if your local device fails.

• Convenience: With OneDrive, you can access your data from any device as long as you have an Internet connection.

• Space-saving: Local hard drives can fill up quickly with backups. Using OneDrive helps you save space on your local disk.

How to Make Windows Server Backup to OneDrive

In this article, you'll learn three effective methods for backing up your server to OneDrive. You can choose to use a desktop application, a reliable third-party tool, or the official OneDrive website for the process. Each option has its own advantages, making it easy to find one that suits your needs. Let's explore these methods to help you secure your data.

Way 1. Backup Server to OneDrive via Desktop App

The first method is to backup Windows Server to OneDrive via the OneDrive desktop App. After installing this application, OneDrive will create a sync folder on your local computer. This folder will be synced in both directions, which means if you add any files to this location on Windows Server, they will be automatically added to OneDrive and you can also keep them locally if there are some changes. 

Step 1. Download the OneDrive desktop App on your Windows Server, install it, and open it.

Step 2. Sign in to your OneDrive account.

Step 3. If you are on the Your OneDrive folder page, select Next to accept the default folder location for your OneDrive files.

Tips:

• The OneDrive desktop App is available on Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 (R2), or Windows Server 2008 R2.
• If you want to change the folder location, select Change location. This is the best time to make this change because you haven't backed up or synced any files so far.
• If this is your first time to open the App, you will be shown several welcome screens introducing you to brief instructions on how to use OneDrive service and just click on Next to continue.

Step 4. Then you will see the Get the Mobile App screen, if you need the mobile app, click the Get the Mobile App button. If you don’t need it, click Later.

Step 5. On the Your OneDrive is ready for you page, click Open my OneDrive folder.

Step 6. When you open this page, it will automatically select these files for you and they will be synced into the OneDrive folder. This folder has a two-way sync feature, so you just need to drag and drop the files into the OneDrive folder, It will automatically backup and sync the files.

Way 2. Perform Windows Server Backup OneDrivevia Third-party Tool

Besides OneDrive, there are several helpful third-party tools available, like the AOMEI Backupper Server. This software makes it simple to back up files from Windows Server to OneDrive. It can run automatically, ensuring minimal use of disk space while still providing effective backup options.

With these features, managing your backups becomes much easier.

📌Schedule backup: it allows you to backup Windows Server to OneDrive with fixed intervals, such as Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or based on specific events in Event triggers.
📌Backup method: it supports full, Incremental, and differential backup, among them, the last two backup methods only backup the changed parts of your files to OneDrive. Thus, you can create multiple backups with less disk space
📌Backup cleanup: The cleanup methods help delete old backups automatically and it varies depending on the backup method. In the default incremental backup, you can use By quantity, By time, and By daily/weekly/monthly. For differential backup, you can still use the space method.

In addition, it still supports backup files from Windows Server to local disk, external disk, USB drive, HDD, SSD, AOMEI Cloud, etc. And it is also applicable to Windows PC systems, such as Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP, and Vista. Please download the AOMEI Backupper Server, install it, and open it.

Now, you can follow this graphic tutorial to backup Windows Server to OneDrive.

Step 1. On the main page of AOMEI Backupper, click Backup> FileBackup.

Step 2. Click Add File or Add Folder to select the files/folders you want to backup.

Step 3. Click the triangle icon next to the folder-shaped icon and then Select a cloud drive to add OneDrive as the destination.

Step 4. In the Select Cloud window, you will see all the available cloud drives. Select OneDrive in the following window and click OK.

Step 5. Confirm all your operations and click Start Backup to backup Windows Server to OneDrive.

You can also click Options, Schedule Backup, and Backup Scheme to make backup tasks automatically and flexibly:

▶Options: It allows you to write comments on the backup files, and encrypt, split, and compress the backup file. You can also set the email notification.

▶Schedule Backup: You can do the scheduled backup with different frequencies (Daily, Weekly, Monthly), or based on specific events in Event triggers. Note that the USB plug-in option is only available for Windows Server backup files to a USB flash drive.

▶Backup scheme: It allows you to create a full backup every time or backup only changed files with corresponding backup methods. And you can also automatically delete old backup images to save your space.

• Backup Method: By default, the backup method is incremental Backup, it only backs up changes after the previous backup, taking less backup time and backup disk space. And you can also use Differential Backup, by comparison, it is relatively independent.
• Backup Cleanup: You have 3 ways to delete old backups with default backup methods, "By quality", "By time", and "By daily/weekly/monthly". If you use Differential Backup instead, you still can use the By space cleanup method.

Way 3. Backup Server to OneDrive via the Official Website

The third way to backup Windows Server to OneDrive is to use the official website of OneDrive. It allows you to upload files or folders manually. 

Step 1. Go to the official OneDrive website and sign in.

Step 2. On the home page, click the "Upload" option to select the files you want to upload to OneDrive.

FAQs About Windows Server Backup to OneDrive

Q1: What’s the best way to back up a Windows Server to OneDrive?

A1: AOMEI Backupper is a great choice because it offers easy-to-use features designed for cloud backups, including seamless integration with OneDrive.

Q2: What if my OneDrive storage is full during a backup?

A2: If your OneDrive is full, the backup will not be complete. It’s important to keep an eye on your storage space and organize your files to prevent this problem.

Q3: Is my data safe when backed up to OneDrive?

A3: OneDrive uses strong encryption both while your data is being transferred and when it’s stored, making it a secure option. Adding extra encryption during the backup process can provide even more protection.

Bottom Line

Backing up Windows Server to OneDrive can better protect your data and also make it easier for users to access their files. This article provides 3 ways including the OneDrive desktop App, its official website, and a professional backup software AOMEI Backupper Server to achieve this goal.  

I prefer the third method because it is more stable and secure than the other two methods, and it offers more backup features to protect your files in all aspects. Besides, its AOMEI Backupper Technician Plus helps you protect unlimited servers of your company and allows you to copy the installation directory for portable version creation.