Automatically Backup Folder to Network Drive

Many people tend to choose a network drive to backup files. This article will discuss 3 ways to automatically back up folder to network drive.

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Cici

Updated on Feb 26, 2024

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Do you know how to back up files or folders automatically? You could create a backup plan by using third-party Windows backup software, EaseUS Todo Backup, or using the built-in Windows backup tools, File History and Backup and Restore. Then, you can automatically back up files or a folder to a network drive. So you can restore files in time when something unexpected happens to your computer. This article will introduce three ways to back up a folder to a network drive automatically on Windows 10.

What Is Network Drive? -An Overview

A network drive or mapped drive is a drive, NAS, or share on another computer or server on the same network (e.g., LAN)  - by Computer Hope.

So, it means a network drive is also a kind of storage device. It can be connected to other computers in a local area network. So many businesses or homes will use it to share files with others.

The following section will describe many other benefits of automatically backing up folders to a network drive.

Why Automatically Backup a Folder to A Network Drive?

An automatic backup to the network drive can prevent us from forgetting backup tasks and reduce backup maintenance work. Automatically backing up a folder to a network drive can also bring many benefits. A network drive is chosen mainly for the following reasons:

  • 🎗️Large capacity: network storage generally provides free memory.
  • 🎞️Shareability: It allows users to access other computers.
  • 🎟️Convenience: Files can be accessed anytime and anywhere.
  • 🔒Security: Store files on network drives can avoid the problems caused by system crashes.

In a word, it makes sense to set up an automatic backup folder to the network drive. It is easy to operate and won't waste much time. Next, I will introduce three quick ways to automatically back up a folder to a network drive on Windows 10.

📖Further Reading: How to Back Up Network Shared Files Using Network Backup Software

In Windows 10, there are at least three ways to help create a file backup:

  • 1️⃣Third-party software: EaseUS Todo Backup Home 🔥
  • 2️⃣Windows built-in tool: Backup and Restore
  • 3️⃣Windows built-in tool: File History Windows 10

All three methods allow you to set up a file backup schedule and backup your folders to a network drive. However, they have some other differences:

Comparison

EaseUS Todo Backup

Backup and Restore

File History

Content Folder, disks, and system image Files, folders, and system image Files and folders
Security Encrypt backup images No protection No protection
Backup method Full, differential, and incremental backups Full backup Full and incremental backups

Next are the specific steps for the three automatic file backup methods. It is clear that all three methods above can meet the basic requirements for automatic file backup, whether you use File History or Backup and Restore. However, EaseUS Todo Backup is able to meet more needs and is the best choice. It can back up more content, and it is also the best incremental backup software on Windows 10, which can help us save space and increase efficiency.

Method 1: Use EaseUS Todo Backup to Automatically Backup Folder to Network Drive

EaseUS Todo Backup is professional Windows backup software with advanced backup settings. It can meet all your backup needs. You can easily back up files automatically and folders or backup hard drives. It allows you to store your backups locally, on a NAS, or clone your PC to a new PC. There are more functions:

  • It supports the system and partition backup.
  • It allows you to back up files and restore files safely. The files can be encrypted.
  • It has a backup filter to exclude useless content and save more space.
  • It can smoothly and automatically backup folders to another drive.
  • It supports rapid system image recovery when the system crashes.

Besides, it is powerful enough to support all kinds of Windows, such as Windows 10/8/7 and Windows 11. EaseUS Todo Backup is easy to operate, and everyone who downloads it can automatically back up their folder easily. Here are the steps:

Step 1. To start backup, click the Select backup contents.

create file backup step1

Step 2. There are four data backup categories: File, Disk, OS, and Mail.

create file backup step2

Step 3. On the left-hand side, you'll see a list of local and network files. Selecting the files to be backed up by expanding the directory.

File backup

Step 4. Follow the instructions on the screen and pick the location where you wish to store the backup.

File backup step4

In Backup Options, click Options to encrypt the backup with a password, specify the backup schedule, and choose whether or not to start the backup at a certain event in Backup Scheme. There are a variety of customizable features available for you to explore, and you may tailor the backup operation to meet your specific requirements.

Backup options

Step 5. Backups can be stored on a local disk, in EaseUS's cloud service, or on a network attached storage device (NAS).

file backup step4

Step 6. EaseUS Todo Backup allows customers to back up data to a third-party cloud drive or the company's own cloud storage.

If you wish to back up your data to a third-party cloud drive, select Local Drive, scroll down to add Cloud Device and enter your account information.

Backup to cloud
You may also use EaseUS's own cloud storage service. Click EaseUS Cloud, create an account using your EaseUS Account, then log in to your account.

backup to easeus cloud

Step 7. To begin a backup, choose Backup Now. It will appear in the shape of a card on the left-hand panel when the backup process has been successfully finished. To handle the backup job in more detail, right-click on it.

File backup step7

📖Further Reading: How to Backup a Folder in Windows 7 | Step-by-Step Guide

Method 2: Use File History to Automatically Backup a Folder to A Network Drive

File History is a Windows backup utility that comes with Windows 8.1 and still available in Windows 10/11. By default, File History can automatically back up files in your user folder, including the desktop, documents, downloads, and pictures folders. Also, all changed files will be automatically stored on the network drive or another drive, whether internal or external. Here is how to use File History to back up a folder:

Step 1: Open Open "Settings" from the Start menu.

Step 2: Go to Update & security and choose "Backup."

Step 3: Click the "Add a network location" option to add a network drive.

add-a-network-location

Step 4: Turn on the "Automatically back up my files" button. And click "More options".

moe-options

Step 5: Set the backup time and click "Back up now" to start the automatic backup.

backup-now

Method 3: Use Backup and Restore to Automatically Backup a Folder to A Network Drive

Backup and Restore (Windows 7), a built-in Windows backup tool, follows the design of Windows 7, but it can also be used for the automatic backup of folders in Windows 10. It can create automatic file backup and back up files or folders to a NAS server or other network drives. In contrast to file history backup, it also provides the ability to restore files. Here are the steps to automatically back up files:

Step 1: Open the control panel and click "System and Security."

system-and-security

Step 2: Find "Backup and Restore."

windows-backup-and-restore

Step 3: Click "Set up backup" on the right side.

set-up-backup

Step 4: Choose "Save on a network" on the right corner.

save-on-a-network

Step 5: Click "Browse" to add a network drive or simply type the network location. Then enter the username and password, and click "OK."

browse

Step 6: Click "Next." Then, select "Let Windows choose" or create a custom backup.

Step 7: Click "Change schedule" to set an automatic backup time. Then, click "Save settings and run backup."

change-schedule

📖Also Read:  Windows 10 Automatic Backup | Backup Files to Google Drive Automatically

Conclusion

This article covers three ways to automatically back up folders to a network drive on Windows 10 or 11. In short, you can use EaseUS Todo Backup, Backup and Restore (Windows 7), and File History to help you back up files. You can choose one depending on your habits. But EaseUS Todo Backup is a more comprehensive backup option that can help you have smooth backup process with much less hassle. It can create automatic file backups. As the best Windows backup software, it's worth a try!

FAQs about Automatically Backup a Folder to A Network Drive

The above introduces the three most comprehensive ways to automatically back up your folders. And here are some frequently asked questions.

1. Does Windows 10 automatically backup files

Windows 10 can automatically backup files via "File History" and "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)." In addition, you can set the backup plan on Windows 10 and create automatic file backups.

2. How do I automatically backup files to my NAS?

You can automatically backup files to NAS using professional file backup software, such as EaseUS Todo Backup. Or you can use Windows Backup and Restore tool.

Step 1: Open "Control panel" and choose "System and Security."

Step 2: Select " Backup and Restore."

Step 3: Set a backup or create a system image.

3. Does Windows 10 have a file backup program?

Yes. In Windows 10, you can find "File History" and "Backup and Restore" in the control panel. Both tools can backup files.

4. Is there a way to back up folder to another drive on my laptop automatically?

Yes, there are several ways to automatically back up a folder to another drive on your laptop. One method is to use backup software or tools that allow you to schedule regular backups of specific folders to another drive. Another option is to use Windows built-in File History, it allows you to set an automatic folder backup to another drive.

EaseUS Todo Backup

EaseUS Todo Backup is a dependable and professional data backup solution capable of backing up files, folders, drives, APP data and creating a system image. It also makes it easy to clone HDD/SSD, transfer the system to different hardware, and create bootable WinPE bootable disks.

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  • Written by

    Cici

    Cici is the junior editor of the writing team of EaseUS. She accepted the systematic training on computers at EaseUS for over one year. Now, she wrote a lot of professional articles to help people resolve the issues of hard drive corruption, computer boot errors, and disk partition problems.…
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