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How to Backup SSD to External Hard Drive: 3 Easy Methods
Discover three effective ways to backup your SSD data to an external hard drive, ensuring the safety and security of your valuable files and documents.
By Sebastian Updated on July 19, 2024
Can I clone an SSD drive to an external hard drive on my Windows computer?
“I installed my Windows 10 operating system on a new SSD a few days ago, and indeed, the whole performance of my laptop improved a lot. Now, I want to create a backup of this SSD and save the backup on my old hard drive. How can I back up SSD to an external hard drive? Any good tool to make it easier?”
SSDs have become a popular choice for installing the Windows operating system and applications, thanks to their remarkable speed and superior performance. They offer a compelling solution for users seeking to optimize their device's efficiency and responsiveness.
Conversely, External hard drives(HDD) remain a cost-effective alternative to SSD, boasting larger storage capacities at a fraction of the cost. With their expansive storage capabilities and budget-friendly pricing, HDD continues to be favored by many as a reliable data storage solution.
Backing up your SSD to an external hard drive is essential for safeguarding your valuable data against potential loss or corruption. And here in this tutorial, we will explore three simple yet effective methods on how to backup SSD to external hard drive.
Reasons to Backup SSD to External Hard Drive
Whether you're upgrading your SSD, preparing for system maintenance, or protecting against unforeseen disasters, having a reliable backup ensures peace of mind and data security. Here are four compelling reasons to do so:
🚩Data Protection: By creating a backup of your SSD onto an external hard drive, you establish a copy of your important files and documents. You can retrieve your files from the backup any time you want, preventing the loss of critical information.
🚩Event Prevention: External hard drives offer a portable and reliable storage solution for event prevention. In case of unforeseen events, having a backup allows for swift restoration of your system and files, minimizing potential losses.
🚩Flexibility and Accessibility: Storing SSD backups on an external hard drive provides flexibility and accessibility across multiple devices and platforms. An external hard drive allows for seamless data retrieval and utilization, enhancing productivity and collaboration.
🚩Extended Storage Capacity: External hard drives typically offer larger storage capacities compared to SSD, making them ideal for archiving and storing extensive data collections. This extended storage capacity provides peace of mind, knowing that your data is securely stored and easily accessible whenever needed.
How to Backup SSD to External Hard Drive
Here comes the main course: three methods to help you know how to backup SSD to an external hard drive Windows 11. To make a backup of your SSD, you can use Windows' built-in backup tool or other software like AOMEI Backupper Standard. Another option is to clone your SSD onto an external hard drive as a backup. This way, if your SSD breaks, you can switch it out without any downtime.
Prepare and Initialize Your External Hard Drive
Important: Your target drive, whether internal or external, must have at least the same capacity as the source SSD to clone a disk.
If you're working with a brand-new, unallocated drive, you'll need to initialize it first. Here’s how to get started:
1. Plug your external hard drive into your computer using its USB cable.
2. Right-click the Windows icon and choose "Disk Management
3. Right-click on it and select "Initialize Disk." Choose the disk type (MBR or GPT) for the external HDD.
4. If the drive shows as "New Volume". Right-click and select "Change Drive Letter and Paths." Assign a new drive letter to make it accessible.
5. After these steps, your external hard drive should be detectable and ready for use.
Method 1: Create a Disk Image of SSD via AOMEI Backupper
The simplest method how to transfer data from SSD to an external hard drive is by using a specialized disk backup tool. AOMEI Backupper Standard is a versatile backup and restore software that can easily back up your SSD to any external hard drive. It works on Windows 11/10/8/7 and offers various advanced backup options for disks:
AOMEI Backupper-
Scheduled backup: This tool supports users to set a scheduled backup plan, and it will perform the automatic backup task daily, weekly, or monthly without manual operation.
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Multiple Backup Storage: This backup tool allows users to backup SSD to any internal or external hard drive, even a network drive, NAS, etc.
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Various Backup Solutions: AOMEI Backupper supports differential and incremental backup, which help users only back up changed files without wasting time and extra space. Differential Backup is a paid feature.
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Reliable Cloning and Sync: Users can use the built-in amazing features for efficient cloning and sync, making exact replicas of SSD for backup to the external hard drive.
100% SecureBefore the instruction on how to backup SSD to HDD in Windows 10, make sure your SSD and HDD are connected with enough space to make a backup and store.
Step 1: Install and open AOMEI Backupper. Select Backup >> Disk Backup.
Step 2: Choose separately the SSD and the external hard drive disk as the backup destination.
Step 3: In the last step, tap"Start Backup" to backup SSD to the external hard drive.
Extra settings:
Just as mentioned earlier, users can set Schedule Backup and backup SSD to HDD automatically. You can choose among Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Event triggers, and USB Plugs. It is advised to enable the Backup Scheme and delete the backup file automatically. Upgrade and use this feature immediately.
Method 2: Make a Copy Clone of SSD with AOMEI Backupper
Creating a copy clone of your SSD is also an efficient and reliable method. AOMEI Backupper is the best solution equipped with advanced clone features to simplify the backup process. With its intuitive interface and robust functionality, it allows users to create exact replicas of their SSDs, and store them on an external hard drive for safekeeping. If your SSD contains OS, try a professional version to conduct the clone operation.
In this section, we'll delve into how to use AOMEI Backupper to clone your SSD, helping you seamlessly back up your data and preserve its integrity.
1: First, connect your SSD and external hard drive to your PC. Tap Clone >> Disk Clone in order.
2: Select the source SSD disk as the cloned source, as well as the external hard drive as the saving destination.
3: Click Start Clone to start the clone task.
Method 3: Backup Entire SSD Using Backup and Restore
Backing up your SSD to an external hard drive using Windows Backup and Restore is also a straightforward method. Whether you're looking to safeguard important files or create a complete system image backup, Windows Backup and Restore offers a convenient solution. In this section, we'll explore how to utilize Windows Backup and Restore to backup your SSD to an external hard drive.
Always remember to connect all your storage devices to the computer and make sure they are recognized.
1: Search this built-in feature of Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
2: Continue to select Set up backup >> select external hard drive >> Let me choose.
3: Check all the partitions on your SSD to be backed up and click Next. Confirm all your settings and click Save settings and run backup.
FAQs about Backing Up SSD to External Hard Drive
Q 1: How often should I backup my SSD?
A 1: Regular backups are crucial. Depending on your data usage, weekly or monthly backups are recommended to ensure you always have the latest data.
Q 2: Can I use the same external hard drive for multiple backups?
A 2: Yes, as long as the external hard drive has sufficient capacity. It’s advisable to organize backups by creating separate folders for each backup session.
Q 3: What happens if my external hard drive runs out of space?
A 3: You can delete older backups to free up space or use a new external hard drive. Ensure critical data is not lost when removing old backups.
Technical Terms Explained
1. Cloning
Cloning is the process of creating an exact copy of a hard drive, including the operating system, applications, and data. This is useful for system migrations or creating a bootable backup.
2. Disk Backup
Disk backup involves creating a backup of the entire disk, including all partitions and data. This ensures a complete recovery option in case of failure.
3. Encryption
Encryption is the process of converting data into a coded format to prevent unauthorized access. It enhances data security, especially during backups and transfers.
Practical Tips for Backing Up SSD to External Hard Drive
Regular Schedule: Set a regular backup schedule to ensure your data is always up-to-date.
Verify Backups: Regularly check and verify your backups to ensure they are complete and not corrupted.
Secure Storage: Store your external hard drive in a safe location to protect it from physical damage or theft.
Conclusion
In conclusion, backing up your SSD to an external hard drive is crucial for protecting your data against loss or damage. By following the methods outlined in this article, you can ensure the safety and security of your valuable files and system settings. Among the options presented, AOMEI Backupper stands out as a reliable and versatile solution for SSD backup, offering advanced features. Whether you're a home user or a business professional, AOMEI Backupper provides the tools you need to protect your SSD data effectively. Consider choosing AOMEI Backupper for your SSD backup needs and safeguard your valuable data with confidence.
