Backing up your Dropbox files to an external hard drive is a simple yet effective way to ensure your important files are safe from data loss due to hardware failure, software corruption, or even cyber attacks.
This method is especially useful for large files or folders that you don't want to rely solely on cloud storage for.
You can use a USB external hard drive or a NAS (Network-Attached Storage) device, both of which can be easily connected to your computer.
The key is to choose a drive with sufficient storage capacity to hold all your Dropbox files, and to regularly update your backups to ensure everything remains up-to-date.
Why Backup to External Hard Drive?
Backing up your Dropbox files to an external hard drive is a smart move. It provides double data protection, so if you delete files in Dropbox, they won't be gone forever.
You may not think about it, but Dropbox only keeps deleted files for 30 days. After that, they're gone for good.
Backing up to an external hard drive is also a safer option. It's less likely to be hacked compared to Dropbox, so your files will be more secure.
The cost-effective aspect is also a big plus. If you're a free user, you only get 2GB of cloud storage, which can fill up quickly. By backing up to an external hard drive, you can avoid paying for more space.
With an external hard drive, you can access your Dropbox files offline. This is especially useful if you're working on a project without a stable internet connection.
How to Backup to External Hard Drive
Backing up Dropbox to an external hard drive is a great way to protect your data and ensure you can access it even when the internet is down. You can choose from three easy methods: changing the download location, directly moving the Dropbox folder, or syncing Dropbox to the external hard drive automatically.
To get started, connect your external hard drive and make sure it's recognized by your computer.
You can download all Dropbox folders and files to backup by clicking "All Files" on the left side, then pressing Ctrl + A to select all Dropbox folders and files, and clicking the Download button.
The easiest way to backup Dropbox to an external hard drive is to use the Dropbox desktop app, which allows you to move the Dropbox folder to the external hard drive.
Backing up Dropbox to an external hard drive offers several benefits, including being able to access your files offline and having a one-time cost, as opposed to cloud storage services that require ongoing payments.
Here are the three easy methods to backup Dropbox to an external hard drive:
It's essential to note that you should have at least 20MB of storage space available on your external hard drive to ensure successful backups.
Backup Methods
You can back up Dropbox to an external hard drive using various methods. There are three easy ways to do this, as mentioned in several sources.
One way is to use the free backup software AOMEI Backupper Standard, which allows you to customize the backup task and schedule it to run automatically. You can select the Dropbox folder as the source and the external hard drive as the destination.
Another option is to use the cloud file manager MultCloud, which supports over 30 cloud storage services, including Dropbox. With MultCloud, you can manage multiple cloud storage services in one platform and perform basic operations like uploading, renaming, and sharing files.
You can also use AOMEI Backupper Standard to backup files to Dropbox or other cloud storage services, simply by exchanging the source and destination. This flexibility makes it a convenient option for backing up your Dropbox files.
Here are the three easy ways to back up Dropbox to an external hard drive:
- AOMEI Backupper Standard
- MultCloud
- Other methods, such as using the Dropbox folder on your computer
Remember to sync all Dropbox folders and files to your Dropbox folder on the computer before backing up to an external hard drive.
Manual Backup Methods
There are two basic methods to backup from Dropbox to an external hard drive. Both solutions follow the same rule: download the data you want to backup from Dropbox, and then move the data to your external hard drive.
The commonest way to backup files from Dropbox to an external hard drive on Mac/Windows is to use the download feature. You can download the Dropbox data on your local computer.
To download all Dropbox folders and files, click All Files on the left side, then press Ctrl + A to select all Dropbox folders and files, and click the Download button. This will start the download process, and you'll see the Dropbox.zip file downloading.
Once the download is complete, open the download folder to find the Dropbox.zip file, and move it to the external hard drive that you connected to before.
Alternatively, you can install the Dropbox desktop app and log in to your Dropbox account. Then, tap the Dropbox icon in the system tray and click your Dropbox account icon at the top right corner, select Preferences.
Software and Tools
If you want to automate the Dropbox backup process, you can use a free file sync software like Qiling Disk Master Standard.
You can download it and use it to sync your Dropbox files to an external hard drive. Just connect the external hard drive to your computer and follow the software's instructions.
Qiling Disk Master Standard offers a range of features, including File Sync, Two-Way Sync, and File Sync modes, which you can use to customize the backup process.
To sync your Dropbox files, choose the external hard drive as the Dropbox folder location and click Schedule Sync to enable automatic backups.
You can also use the software's backup feature to compress infrequently used Dropbox files and enable differential and incremental backup to only backup changed files.
- Files Backup: This feature allows you to backup your entire Dropbox folder to the external hard drive.
- Differential and Incremental Backup: These features enable you to backup only changed files, saving space and time.
Auto Sync with Freeware
If you're looking for a way to automatically sync your Dropbox files to an external hard drive without breaking the bank, you're in luck. Qiling Disk Master Standard is a free yet powerful file sync software that can handle the task.
This freeware allows you to sync your Dropbox files to an external hard drive with ease. To get started, simply download and install Qiling Disk Master Standard, and connect your external hard drive to your computer.
Choose the external hard drive as the Dropbox folder location, then click Schedule Sync to enable automatic syncing. You can select from Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Event triggers, and USB Plug in to make it run automatically.
To compress infrequently used Dropbox files, use the backup feature to compress them. You can also enable differential and incremental backup to only sync changed files.
Here are some key features of Qiling Disk Master Standard:
- Files Backup: backup Dropbox to external hard drive
- Differential and incremental backup: backup only changed files
- Backup feature: compress infrequently used Dropbox files
Requirements
You'll need to consider the requirements before moving your Dropbox folder to an external hard drive.
Dropbox only supports certain file systems, so be aware of what's compatible. An example of an unsupported file system is exFAT.
Avoid using network file systems with Dropbox, as they're not compatible.
Removable media, like SD cards, aren't allowed for storing your Dropbox folder. However, external hard drives are okay, as long as they're hosted as one of your computer's drives.
Platforms
You can use a Windows computer to backup Dropbox to an external hard drive, and it's not difficult to do so using the Dropbox app or a data backup software like AOMEI Backupper.
The Dropbox app allows you to backup your Dropbox folder to an external hard drive on Windows by following a few simple steps, including plugging in the external drive and clicking on the Dropbox logo at the bottom-right edge of your PC taskbar.
AOMEI Backupper is another option that makes it easy to backup Dropbox to a hard drive on Windows, and it works on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10.
You can install AOMEI Backupper, plug in your external drive, and run the software to initiate the backup process, which includes choosing your external drive as the destination folder of your Dropbox folder.
The Dropbox app can be used to backup your Dropbox folder to an external hard drive on Windows using Method 1, which involves clicking on the gear icon or settings button at the top-right edge of the window and selecting Sync.
AOMEI Backupper is a data backup software that allows you to backup Dropbox to a hard drive on Windows, and it's available for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Dropbox and Dropbox backup?
Dropbox allows you to sync and access your files across devices in real-time, while Dropbox Backup automatically backs up your folders and files to the cloud for safe recovery.
Can I download directly from Dropbox to external hard drive?
Yes, you can download files from Dropbox to an external hard drive, but first set the browser's default save location to the external drive or USB. To do this, click the "Download" button after selecting the files in Dropbox.
Sources
- https://www.qilingtech.com/articles/backup-dropbox-to-external-hard-drive-5740.shtml
- https://inclowdz.wondershare.com/cloud-tips/backup-dropbox-to-external-hard-drive.html
- https://www.multcloud.com/tutorials/backup-dropbox-to-external-hard-drive-1207.html
- https://www.cbackup.com/articles/backing-up-dropbox-5740.html
- https://help.alamode.com/5521
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