How to Backup Network Drive to OneDrive with Two Simple Methods

Backing up your network drive to OneDrive is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few simple steps. You'll need to have a OneDrive account and make sure your network drive is accessible from your computer.

One of the most common methods is to use the built-in Windows tool, File History. This tool allows you to automatically back up your files to a network drive, including your OneDrive account.

You can backup any folder to OneDrive using alternative methods. The OneDrive auto-backup feature is limited, but don't worry, there are other ways to make the backup more flexible.

One feasible way is to use the OneDrive sync client, which allows you to select specific folders to sync with OneDrive. This way, you can choose which folders to backup and when.

The sync client can also be used to backup folders from any drive, not just the local drive.

You have multiple cloud storage options to consider for backing up your files. OneDrive is one such option, but its auto-backup feature is limited.

The OneDrive auto-backup feature cannot help you backup any folder from any drive to OneDrive, so you'll need to explore other options. This can be frustrating, but don't worry, there are other ways to make the backup process more flexible.

You can use third-party cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or pCloud to backup your files. These services often offer more flexible backup options and larger storage capacities than OneDrive's auto-backup feature.

In some cases, you may need to manually configure the backup process to ensure your files are properly synced across devices. This can be a bit more complicated, but it's doable with the right tools and knowledge.

To share a local folder for backup, you can use OneDrive's desktop client. Download and set it up on your computer to sync files between OneDrive cloud and local folder.

The OneDrive local folder is where you'll create a specialized folder named File History backup. Right-click on it to choose Properties.

Under the Sharing tab, click on Share and note down the network path of this folder. This will give you the address of the shared folder.

Enter the shared folder location in the File History window and hit Select Folder. This will allow File History to backup to the OneDrive local folder.

Confirm this operation and you'll return to the File History window. From there, hit Turn on to make File History backup to OneDrive.

Backing up your network drive to OneDrive is a great idea, and it's easier than you think. You can save space on your computer and phone by syncing your local files to OneDrive.

OneDrive provides a free online storage service, allowing you to easily share files with others using the built-in sharing feature. You can share documents, such as pictures, word or excel documents, via email address or share link.

Backing up your data to OneDrive prevents data loss and corruption. Files are easily lost due to system crashes, human errors, and virus attacks, but with OneDrive, you can retrieve them directly from the cloud.

To get started, install the OneDrive desktop and mobile applications, and you'll be able to access your saved data anytime, anywhere. This is especially useful if you need to access your files from multiple devices.

Here are the benefits of backing up your network drive to OneDrive:

Using the mklink command is a straightforward way to create a symbolic link between your network drive and OneDrive. This command is included with all Windows operating systems since Vista.

To create a symbolic link, you can use the mklink /J command, which is used to create a junction link. For example, you can enter: mklink /J "%UserProfile%\OneDrive\Folder Name" "Local folder path".

Pressing the enter button on your keyboard executes the command, syncing the local folder with OneDrive. You can then open the OneDrive folder to check the synced contents.

You can access OneDrive from almost every device, making it easy to backup files from your PC or Mac.

OneDrive provides 5 GB of free storage on the cloud, and you can always buy more storage to boost your backup.

There are two popular ways to perform Windows backup to OneDrive.

You can log-in to your OneDrive Account to start the backup process.

OneDrive works with both Windows and Mac systems, making it a versatile backup option.

You can use the sync option of OneDrive to store files to the cloud instantly.

OneDrive is accessible on devices such as Android, making it a convenient backup solution.

Using the mklink command is a powerful way to create symbolic links, hard links, or directory junctions in Windows. This can be particularly useful for tasks like file organization and system backups.

To create a mklink, you'll need to enter the command in the format: mklink /J "%UserProfile%\OneDrive\Folder Name" "Local folder path". This will create a link to the important files or directories for quick access.

You can also use the mklink command to create a symbolic link from within your OneDrive folder and point it at your NAS drive. The command to do this is: mklink /d data n:\data. This will create a fake subfolder called C:\OneDrive\Data that actually points across the Network at N:\Data.

By using mklink, you can create links to files and directories without having to navigate through complex directory hierarchies. This can save you a lot of time and make it easier to access your files.

Using a tool like FreeFileSync can be a reliable way to keep folders in sync. This tool is free and can do the job in real time.

FreeFileSync allows you to set up a sync process between your C:\OneDrive folder and your N:\Data location. You can even export your settings as a Batch File.

The RealtimeSync program that comes with FreeFileSync can watch for changes at either location and run the batch file you created when it spots any. This way, you'll always have the latest files synced.

Introducing an additional program into the solution does make things a bit more complex to set up and maintain. But if you find a way to keep your local OneDrive folder in sync with your NAS drive location, the OneDrive client does a pretty good job of the rest.

The objectives for syncing data from your network drive to OneDrive are clear: you want to sync N:\Data with OneDrive, and have the sync happen automatically with real-time updating. This means no task scheduler is needed.

To ensure a true two-way process, you want to capture any changes on either the NAS or OneDrive. This is crucial for maintaining data consistency across both locations.

Here are the objectives in a concise list:

You can backup your WD NAS by using the OneDrive website, where you can manually choose and upload files from your local computer.

To do this, map your WD My Cloud to it on your computer, and then select the file straight from the network drive on the OneDrive website.

The OneDrive program on your computer will also create a folder to automatically sync your data between the local computer and the cloud after installation.

You can find this OneDrive folder on Windows Explorer.

You'll also need to download and install the Dropbox desktop app to sync your WD NAS.

Installing the Dropbox app will allow you to transfer data from the network drive to the OneDrive folder.

Testing the sync between your NAS drive and OneDrive is a crucial step to ensure seamless data backup and accessibility.

To start, create a folder within your NAS drive called something like LocalTest. This will help you test the sync functionality.

Give your NAS drive a few moments to sync, then access your OneDrive through a browser. If the folder is showing, you're good to go.

To ensure the sync is working both ways, create a CloudTest folder within your OneDrive account through a browser and watch for it syncing back to your NAS drive.

If both of these tests are working, congratulations – you are in sync!

Making a file history is a great way to keep track of changes to your files. This is especially useful when working on a project with multiple collaborators, as it allows you to see who made what changes and when.

By enabling file history, you can also revert back to previous versions of a file if needed. This can be a lifesaver if you accidentally delete important work or make a mistake that you can't undo.

File history is automatically enabled when you sync your files, so you don't need to do anything extra to set it up.

To sync data between a NAS and OneDrive, you need to set clear objectives. One of the main objectives is to sync a specific location on the NAS, such as N:\Data, with OneDrive. This ensures that data is up-to-date and accessible from anywhere.

The sync process should be automatic, updating in real-time without the need for manual intervention or task schedulers. This means that changes made on either the NAS or OneDrive are captured instantly, making it a true two-way process.

One of the key objectives is to achieve this sync without incurring any additional costs. This can be done by using the built-in OneDrive features or exploring alternative tools that don't require extra expenses.

Here are the key objectives for syncing data between a NAS and OneDrive: