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A backup routine you will actually keep

6 min read · Updated November 2026

Backups protect you from malware, failed drives, theft and plain accidents. The best backup is the one that runs without you thinking about it.

The 3-2-1 idea

Keep 3 copies of important files, on 2 different types of storage, with 1 copy somewhere else, such as the cloud or a drive kept at another location.

Set it up

1. List what matters: Documents, Pictures, Desktop, work files.
2. Plug in an external drive and use File History (search for it in Start) to back up automatically.
3. Turn on a cloud folder sync such as OneDrive for your key folders.
4. Store one older backup copy unplugged. Ransomware can encrypt drives that stay connected.

Test it

Once a month, restore one file from each backup. A backup you have never tested may not work when you need it.