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Computer Help and Support

usonian

(18,112 posts)

1. My backup and transfer strategy.

Reply to UTUSN (Original post)

Sat Jun 7, 2025, 06:42 PM

Saturday

I simply keep all my important files on an external drive. (or two or three ... they are so cheap)
You can get a terabyte SSD for $80, maybe less.

My downloads folder got pretty big, as it's the default, so I sorted things out and off they go to an external disk. (fast)
I could lose the Downloads, Pictures and Documents folders on the internal disk and not miss a thing.
I just transferred all my phone photos to an external disk in one operation. (USB cable)

This also makes backups of the computer quicker and smaller. (however you do that. I use SuperDuper! on the mac to make an image backup, and also TimeMachine to another external drive)

"One backup is never enough"

When I upgraded to a new computer, all my files came over by plugging in one external drive.

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UTUSN

23 replies

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*UPDATE* see Post 22 ZOWIE! - Which is the simplest way to transfer files/pics from old laptop to new? [View all] UTUSN Saturday OP

My backup and transfer strategy. usonian Saturday #1

Thanks. Maybe for the future. UTUSN Saturday #4

I have a claudette Saturday #2

OK, this sounds same as transferring on-and-off of the thumbs/GoogleDrive etc. (not the USB). UTUSN Saturday #3

If you have Google drive can't you just use that? LearnedHand Saturday #5

You have a point. I guess i have it, use chrome and gmail. What's sneakernet? UTUSN Saturday #6

I don't know what the size of the drive is LearnedHand Saturday #7

Have never used powerpoint at all. Will it do what simple Publisher did for me: UTUSN Saturday #9

Basically it's plugging a drive into one machine,,, lastlib 20 hrs ago #18

Thanks, not to prolong, but "plugging a drive" - I've heard of downloading drives, but what is a UTUSN 19 hrs ago #19

Any USB drive--thumb drive or external hard drive--or SSD card..... lastlib 17 hrs ago #20

Thanks UTUSN 11 hrs ago #21

I regularly back up my entire home folder to external hard drives. hunter Saturday #8

Thanks but way beyond me. UTUSN Saturday #10

Thumb drives sound the easiest for you. Cloud works well aslo but usually have a limit like 750GB Eko Saturday #11

Thanks. Had been convinced about google, now swayed by you to thumb. UTUSN Saturday #12

You can get a usb disk drive cheap also. Eko Saturday #13

Is it a piece of machinery? Connects by usb or how? UTUSN Saturday #14

usb cable, its a usb cd drive to be clear Eko Saturday #15

Wow thanks for everything! That ought to do the program part. UTUSN Saturday #16

No prob. Eko Saturday #17

*ZOWIE*! - got/connected/installed an LG jobber and DOWNLOADED the Publisher 2007!!!!!!!!!!!!! UTUSN 11 hrs ago #22

Nice! Eko 11 hrs ago #23