Another option is to use the backup software included with your operating system.
Third-party backup software can cost $20 to $60, but could be well worth it, if only for peace of mind. Even software bundled with some drives can have limitations, such as the inability to back up onto CDs, DVDs, or networked drives. Some low-priced drives come with no software or with backup software that’s short on features and flexibility. An external hard drive that runs without software installation, or performs a backup with the push of a button, is a good alternative. Just keep in mind that the handiest options-a thumb drive or optical disc-might require multiple discs or devices for a complete backup.
Setting up a backup is relatively easy, but if you’re not tech savvy, you might want to choose a simpler solution. A wired connection is 5 to 50 times faster than a typical wireless connection. If your computer is near the router, consider connecting it via Ethernet cable to improve speed. Installation takes a little more computer knowledge than using an external drive. If you have several computers running on a home network, consider a network drive, which you can share. A network or external drive is a reasonable alternative. An extra internal hard drive would be the fastest solution, but installation requires some technical know-how. After the first full backup, which could take two or more days to complete, things go faster, but if you create a lot of music, video, or image files each day, you should consider a faster solution. Online storage services sound great until you realize how slow they are. If you need to take your backup with you, you’ll want a drive that’s small enough to carry around. You’ll save relatively little by buying less capacity than that so get as large a drive as you can afford-at least as much capacity as your computer’s internal hard drive. You could spend $100 to $200 on a 2 terabyte drive, or closer to $300 for a 4TB model, but do you really need that much space? A 500GB to 750GB drive might accommodate your needs well into the future.
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