By Ivy / Last update June 10, 2022

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Why need automatic backup software for external hard drive?

Nowadays, due to the painful experience of data loss, many people start to realize the importance of backup, especially for important working documents or precious memories of family members. You will be suggested to backup files to external hard drive with an automatic external hard drive backup software if you ask a professional. Here are some clear ideas:

External Hard Drive

First, external hard drives like USB flash drive, HDD, SSD are far away from computer failure, for example, system crash, hard disk failure, fire, virus, etc. Because they are not inside the computer.

Second, you can purchase any external storage regardless of its types and size, it can be a larger disk or smaller disk, or a combination. In addition, they are flexible, so you can take them everywhere and use it at any time.

Third, automatic backup software for external hard drive avoids data loss owing to forgetting to make a backup. And it will keep all the changes you made since the first full backup. In addition, this operation does not require any human intervention, you just need to plug it into your computer. 

Easiest automatic backup software for external hard drive

Since "Backup and Restore(Windows 7)", and "File History" is the priority choices for many users, you can only backup files to external hard drive, not in it. To achieve both purposes, it's suggested to try professional backup software  - AOMEI Backupper Professional. With it, you can backup files, system, disk, partition and enjoy many useful features during this process.

Run backup task automatically in daily, weekly or monthly, or use event trigger and USB plug in, even during off-peak hours. The last one allows you to automatic backup external hard drive or files to it when it's plugged in. 
Backup only changed files with incremental or differential backup, thereby saving disk space. 
Password encrypt backup image to add an extra layer of data security. 
Delete old backup image regularly with one of the automatic backup cleanup methods to free up disk space completely. 
Restore files from backup or other backup images corresponding. The selective file restore and universal restore are supported.

Besides, it has great compatibility with the storage device and Windows system. Except for external drive, it still allows you to backup to USB flash drive, network drive, NAS etc in Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista. For server users, try AOMEI Backupper Server.

To get started, please download this software to backup external hard drive or files to it!

Download Free Trial Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

How to backup files to external hard drive effortlessly

To backup files to external hard drive automatically, please prepare an external hard disk in advance.

Important Tip: If you want to take it with you, it's suggested to copy files to USB drive when it's plugged in. You just need to insert it into your computer when you want to backup files, not always connected. And this also applies to backup external hard drive/

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Backupper Professional after installing. Then, click "Backup" -> "File Backup" in order.

File Backup

Note: If you want to backup entire hard drive, you could use "Disk Backup" in AOMEI Backupper Professional.

Step 2. Click "Add File" or "Add Folder" to select files or folders you want to backup.  

Add File Or Folder

Step 3. Click where the arrow point and select the prepared USB drive as backup location.

Select Backup Destination

Step 4. Set "USB Plug in" schedule backup" and click "Start Backup".

It's the easiest way to backup files to USB, you just need to plug it in when you want to backup, NOT always connected. And it will backup only changed files automatically with incremental backup. But it's more demanding on backup intact and recovery. Thus, it's suggested to try the differential backup. 

Schedule Settings General

Besides, it still allows you to resolve the potential schedule backup issue - backup disk full. You need to use automatic backup cleanup methods in the Backup Scheme. It will delete image files based on the selected methods.

Enable Automatic Backup Cleanup

Summary

Automatic backup software for external hard drive - AOMEI Backupper Professional is very helpful, whether you want to backup files to external hard drive or directly backup external disk, and the USB plug in feature is the easiest and most  suitable and easiest feature if your external hard drive is a USB drive.

With it, you don't need to always connect USB drive in order not to miss any changes in a scheduled task. And it will backup all the changes at the next time you plug it into your computer. 

Also, it is capable of performing automatic backup external hard drive with its "Disk Backup" feature, and providing other backup solutions, including "System Backup" and "Partition Backup". They also enjoy all the scheduled backup settings.