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In today’s world, securing your data is a top priority, whether it’s personal information, photos, or important documents. While cloud storage services like IDrive offer robust solutions for backing up data, there are times when you might prefer a backup to a local drive as an extra layer of protection. If you’re a Windows 10 user looking to set up IDrive backup to local drive on Windows 10, you’re in the right place!

IDrive not only allows you to back up your data to the cloud but also provides a convenient way to back up your files to your local drives, such as an internal hard drive or an external storage device. This hybrid backup strategy ensures redundancy and gives you easy access to your files offline, without relying solely on internet connectivity.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of performing an IDrive backup to local drive on Windows 10, step by step.

Why Backup to a Local Drive?

Before we dive into the specifics of IDrive backup to local drive on Windows 10, it’s worth understanding why you might want to perform a local backup in addition to cloud backups.

Faster Data Recovery: Local backups can be restored much quicker than retrieving data from the cloud, which may require a strong internet connection and time-consuming downloads.
Offline Access: You can access your local backups without the need for an internet connection, which is especially helpful if you're dealing with large data sets or if you’re in an area with limited connectivity.
Redundancy: Having both cloud and local backups offers additional data protection. If anything happens to your cloud storage or internet access, you can always rely on your local copy.
Control Over Your Data: Keeping a copy of your files on a local drive ensures you have full control over your data without relying on external servers.

With these benefits in mind, let’s move forward with the process of backing up your files to a local drive using IDrive backup to local drive on Windows 10.

Step-by-Step Guide: IDrive Backup to Local Drive on Windows 10

Step 1: Download and Install IDrive on Windows 10

If you haven’t installed IDrive on your Windows 10 computer yet, the first step is to download and install the software.

Go to the IDrive website: Visit the official.
Sign Up or Log In: If you don't have an IDrive account, create one. If you already have an account, simply log in.
Download the IDrive Software: Navigate to the "Downloads" section and select the version compatible with your operating system (Windows). Click the Download button.
Install IDrive: Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software on your Windows 10 system.

Step 2: Log In to IDrive

After installation, open the IDrive application on your Windows 10 computer.

Launch IDrive: Open the IDrive software by double-clicking the IDrive icon on your desktop or searching for it in the Start menu.
Sign In: Enter your IDrive account credentials (email address and password) to sign in and access your dashboard.

Once you’re signed in, you’re ready to start setting up your backup.

Step 3: Select Files and Folders to Back Up

IDrive allows you to select which files or folders you want to back up to both the cloud and your local drive. To start the process:

Go to the Backup tab: In the IDrive dashboard, click on the Backup tab.
Select Files/Folders: Click on the Select Files/Folders option. Browse through your files and select the files or folders that you want to back up to your local drive.
Choose a Custom Backup: If you want to perform a full system backup, you can select specific drives or directories. If you only want to back up certain types of files (e.g., documents, photos), you can choose those specific folders.

At this point, you have your files selected, but we still need to configure the local backup destination.

Step 4: Configure Backup to Local Drive

Now that you’ve selected the files for backup, it’s time to choose where you want to store the backup on your local drive. Follow these steps to configure IDrive backup to local drive on Windows 10:

Click on Settings: In the IDrive dashboard, locate the Settings icon (usually a gear or wrench symbol) next to the Backup button.
Select Backup Location: Under the Backup Location settings, you’ll have the option to choose the destination for your backup files. Choose a local drive such as your computer’s internal hard drive or an external storage device (USB drive, external HDD, etc.).
Choose Folder for Backup: Select or create a folder within the local drive where you want the backup to be stored. You can create a new folder called “IDrive Backup” or something similar to help organize your backups.
Enable Cloud and Local Backup: Make sure both Cloud Backup and Local Backup options are enabled. This will ensure that IDrive backs up your files to both the cloud and your local drive.

Step 5: Set Up a Backup Schedule

IDrive gives you the flexibility to schedule automatic backups to your local drive, ensuring that your data is always up-to-date.

Go to Backup Schedule: In the Settings menu, navigate to the Backup Schedule tab.
Choose a Schedule: You can choose a daily, weekly, or custom schedule for your backups. For continuous protection, select Real-Time Backup, which automatically backs up files as soon as they are modified.
Set Time: You can specify the time and days for backups to occur. Make sure your PC is running at the scheduled time for the backup to complete successfully.

With the schedule set, IDrive will automatically back up your files to both the cloud and local drive without needing your manual intervention.

Step 6: Start the Backup Process

Once you’ve configured the backup settings, it’s time to start the backup process.

Click on Start Backup: In the IDrive dashboard, click on the Start Backup button to initiate the process.
Monitor Progress: You can monitor the backup progress by checking the status bar in the IDrive interface. The software will display how many files have been backed up, the total size, and the remaining time.

The initial backup may take longer depending on the number of files and the size of your data. However, subsequent backups will be faster, as IDrive only backs up new or modified files.

Step 7: Restore Files from Local Backup

In case you need to restore files from your local backup, IDrive makes it simple:

Go to Restore Tab: In the IDrive software, go to the Restore tab.
Select Files/Folders to Restore: Choose the files or folders you want to restore from your local backup.
Choose Destination: You can restore your files to the original location or a new folder.
Click Restore: Click Restore to initiate the process, and your files will be restored from the local drive backup.

This ensures that you can quickly recover your data without the need to access the cloud, offering an extra layer of reliability.

Additional Tips for IDrive Backup to Local Drive on Windows 10

External Drives: If you are using an external drive for local backups, make sure it is connected during scheduled backups. You can also enable automatic backups to an external drive for added convenience.
Encryption: For added security, enable 256-bit AES encryption for both cloud and local backups. This ensures that your files are encrypted both in transit and at rest.
Manage Backup Size: If you’re running out of space on your local drive, consider backing up only the most important files or upgrading your storage.
Check Backup Status: Regularly check your backup status in the IDrive dashboard to ensure everything is running smoothly and that all your files are being backed up as scheduled.

Conclusion

Performing IDrive backup to local drive on Windows 10 offers an excellent way to create a hybrid backup solution, combining the benefits of both cloud and local storage. By following these simple steps, you can easily back up your important files to both your cloud account and a local drive, ensuring data security and redundancy.

IDrive Backup to Local Drive on Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide