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Cloud backup solutions are an excellent way to protect your valuable data, but there are times when having an additional local backup can provide extra peace of mind. One such solution is IDrive, a popular cloud backup service that also offers the option to perform IDrive backup to local drive. This feature allows you to keep a copy of your files on your local device, offering a hybrid backup solution that combines the best of both cloud and local storage.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of performing IDrive backup to local drive step-by-step, ensuring that your data remains safe both in the cloud and on your physical devices.

Why Backup to a Local Drive?

Before diving into the technical steps of IDrive backup to local drive, it's important to understand why you might want to do this in the first place. Here are some key reasons why a local backup in addition to a cloud backup can be beneficial:

Faster Data Access: Local backups allow you to access and restore files much faster than relying solely on the cloud.
Redundancy: Storing your data both in the cloud and on a local drive ensures redundancy in case of internet issues, cloud service downtime, or if you want a more immediate backup solution.
No Internet Dependency: A local backup doesn’t require an internet connection for restoration, which can be crucial if you're dealing with large amounts of data and a slow or unreliable internet connection.
Control Over Data: By maintaining a local copy, you retain full control over your backup data, without relying on a third-party service.

Now, let’s dive into how to backup to a local drive using IDrive.

How to Backup to a Local Drive Using IDrive

IDrive provides an easy and efficient way to back up your files both to the cloud and to a local drive. Here’s how you can set up IDrive backup to local drive:

Step 1: Download and Install IDrive

If you haven’t already installed IDrive, the first step is to download and install the software. Follow these steps:

Visit the IDrive website:
Sign up for a new account or log in if you already have one.
Once logged in, navigate to the download section of the website and select the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
Click Download and install the software on your device by following the on-screen instructions.

Step 2: Log in to IDrive

Once the installation is complete, open the IDrive application on your computer. You will be prompted to log in to your account.

Enter your IDrive account credentials (email address and password).
Click Sign In to access your IDrive dashboard.

At this point, you are ready to begin configuring your backup options.

Step 3: Configure Backup Settings

IDrive allows you to choose between backing up files to the cloud, your local drive, or both. To configure IDrive backup to local drive, follow these steps:

In the IDrive dashboard, go to the Backup tab.
Click on Select Files/Folders to choose which files you want to back up. You can choose specific files, folders, or even the entire system.
Once you’ve selected the files to back up, click on the Settings icon (usually represented by a gear icon) next to the Backup button.

Here, you can choose to back up your files to both the cloud and a local drive. By enabling this feature, IDrive will create a local backup of the selected files on your computer or an external drive.

Step 4: Select the Local Drive for Backup

To perform IDrive backup to local drive, you’ll need to specify where you want to store the backup locally. Follow these steps:

In the Backup Settings, look for the option to select the Backup Location.
Choose a destination folder on your local drive or external drive where you want the backup to be saved.
You can either choose a folder already created or create a new folder specifically for your IDrive backups.

By setting a local backup destination, you’re ensuring that your files will be stored in both the cloud and the selected local location.

Step 5: Set Up a Backup Schedule

IDrive allows you to schedule your backups to run automatically, ensuring your files are always up-to-date. You can choose to run backups at specific times or set it to back up continuously. To configure the backup schedule:

In the Settings section, go to the Backup Schedule tab.
Choose your preferred backup frequency (daily, weekly, or custom).
You can also enable Real-Time Backup, which automatically backs up new or modified files as soon as changes are detected.
Set the time and days for your backups to run automatically.

This will ensure that IDrive performs a backup to both your cloud storage and your local drive without manual intervention.

Step 6: Start the Backup Process

Once everything is set up, you can manually initiate the backup by clicking on the Start Backup button. Alternatively, if you’ve configured automatic scheduling, the backup will begin as per the schedule.

IDrive will start backing up your selected files to both the cloud and your local drive. Depending on the size of the files and your internet speed, the backup process may take some time, especially for the initial backup.

Step 7: Monitor the Backup Process

During the backup process, you can monitor the progress from the IDrive dashboard. IDrive provides details such as the number of files backed up, the total storage used, and the current status of your backup.

You can check the status in the Backup Status section.
If there are any errors, you’ll be notified and can resolve them by following the on-screen instructions.

Step 8: Restore Files from Local Backup

In the event that you need to restore files from your local backup, IDrive makes it easy to recover data:

Open the Restore tab in the IDrive dashboard.
Select the files or folders you want to restore from your local drive.
Choose whether to restore them to their original location or to a new location on your device.
Click Restore to begin the process.

IDrive will quickly restore the selected files from your local backup, making it easy to recover lost or deleted data without needing to access the cloud.

Additional Tips for IDrive Backup to Local Drive

External Drives: If you’re backing up to an external drive, ensure that the drive is always connected when backups are scheduled to run. You can also set IDrive to perform automatic backups to external storage if needed.
Disk Space Management: Ensure that the local drive or external drive you choose for backup has sufficient space to store your data. IDrive allows you to track backup size and usage directly from the dashboard.
Security: Use encryption options available in IDrive to secure your local backups. IDrive offers 256-bit AES encryption for both cloud and local backups, ensuring your data remains safe.
Incremental Backups: After the initial backup, IDrive will perform incremental backups, meaning only the new or modified files will be backed up. This minimizes the storage space needed on both your local drive and cloud storage.

Conclusion

IDrive backup to local drive is an excellent way to ensure that your data is doubly protected—both in the cloud and locally. By following the simple steps outlined in this guide, you can easily set up and manage your backups across multiple locations. The ability to back up your files locally in addition to the cloud provides redundancy, security, and easy access to your data, ensuring it remains safe no matter what.

IDrive Backup to Local Drive: Step-by-Step Guide