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How to Sync OneDrive to External Hard Drive
Copy your OneDrive data to an external storage device in order to free up space
2 min. read
Updated onApril 16, 2024
updated onApril 16, 2024
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Key notes
We are now in an age where storing things on your hard drive is no longer feasible. Cloud storage services are becoming better, faster, cheaper, and more secure, and more and more people are rushing toward them.
However, when you run out of cloud storage, you need a backup option. Read on to discover how to sync your OneDrive to an external HDD.
Can I back up OneDrive data to an external drive?
Many people have been wondering whether or not you can back up your OneDrive with anexternal hard driveto free up space.
The short answer would beyes, and this step-by-step guide will show just how you can do this.
How can I sync my OneDrive to my external hard drive?
You can sync OneDrive with an external HDD very easily via the app’s built-in settings. As long as the hard drive is connected to yourPCor laptop, OneDrive will treat it as if it is just a regular part of your local storage.
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Right-click the OneDrive icon in theSystem Tray.
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Press onSettings.
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SelectAccount.
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ChooseUnlink thisPC.
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Navigate to your original OneDrive sync folder. You can select the entireexternal hard drivefor OneDrive to sync, just as long as your OneDrive subscription can handle all the necessary storage space.
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Cut and paste the folder to yourexternal hard drive.
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Go back to the OneDrive set-up window.
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Sign in with your account.
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SelectChange locationto set your sync folder to be yourexternal hard drive.
By following these steps, OneDrive should now be able to sync with that folder from within yourexternal hard drive.
Syncing goes as with any other folder, although you should disable OneDrive when you first disconnect the external hard drive. This is because OneDrive will treat the missing files and folders as deleted, which may result in error messages.
What does OneDrive do?
One of the most extensivecloud storageservices is Microsoft’s OneDrive, which is highly safe and reliable.
Microsoft’s cloud storage service is a massive convenience not only because it maintains your files synced across devices and backed up onto the internet but also because there’s so muchmore about OneDrive.
Nevertheless, depending on how much you store in it, your OneDrive folder could take up a lot of space. Of course, not everyone is such a big fan ofcloud storageand still relies on the good oldexternal hard driveas the go-tobackup software.
In case you want to keep the files on cloud, you can copy files from the OneDrive account to another, read this guide to learn how.
Did you find this article helpful? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
Teodor Nechita
Eager to help those in need, Teodor writes articles daily on subjects regarding Windows, Xbox, and all things tech-related.
When not working, you may usually find him either at the gym or taking a stroll in the park, trying to find inspiration for the next articles he may write.
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