Full Guide: How to Make OneDrive Backup Multiple Computers

Backing up multiple computers to OneDrive allows you to manage and share your files more easily and effortlessly. Just read carefully and follow the graphic steps below.

Clytze

by Clytze Updated on January 22, 2024

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Scenario

 

How do I make OneDrive backup multiple computers?

I'm using a desktop PC in the office, I have a working laptop that I carry around and I also have my private laptop. I'm using one OneDrive account across all these machines to backup and sync important folders. However, I use each for slightly different purposes so it would be helpful for me to have backed up versions especially of the Desktop folders for each machine separately. Is it possible to achieve this somehow?

- Question from Reddit

OneDrive Backup Multiple Computers

Reasons for backing up multiple computers to OneDrive

Nowadays, more and more people are using multiple computers in their lives or at work. In the past, to use documents on more than one computer, we usually use USB drives to copy them. However, USB drive is not only troublesome to carry, but also easy to lose. It is also a problem to update and synchronize the corresponding document version on multiple computers.

However, with the continuous expansion of the free cloud storage, security and practicality improved, we can use the cloud drive to achieve multiple computer file updates and backup.

Backing up multiple computer files to the cloud means that:

  • You can browse the same files on different computers with just one cloud account, which can be viewed and edited at any time, making it easy to work together.
  • Backing up local data from multiple computers to OneDrive is a wise choice to keep your data safe. If local data is lost, you can still easily recover data from OneDrive.

But how to achieve this? Well, in this post, we will explore how to backup to OneDrive if you are using more than one computer. Keep reading the detailed information below.

How to backup multiple computers to OneDrive (2 easy ways)

There are two easy ways to make OneDrive backup more than one computer. Generally, you can use its desktop app and log in to a single OneDrive account across different devices, which will store all your computer files in the same cloud. The other way is seeking for help from a third-party tool. In the following contents, let’s check them one-by-one.

#1. OneDrive backup specific folder on multiple computers with its desktop app

The easiest way to backup multiple computers to OneDrive is to take advantage of its desktop application. Specifically, when you sign in to your OneDrive on one computer, the local data on that computer will backup to OneDrive once it’s launched, and the same thing happens when you sign in to the same OneDrive account on other computers.

 Tip: If you’re using Windows 10/11, your computer already has the OneDrive app installed. If it can’t be used, install the Windows version of the new OneDrive sync app.

Step 1. Select the Start button, search for OneDrive, and then open it to sign in with your Microsoft account. If you don't have one, click Create account.

Set Up Onedrive

Step 2. On the Your OneDrive folder screen, select Next to accept the default folder location for your OneDrive files.

Your Onedrive Folder

 Tip: If you want to change the folder location, select Change location - this is the best time to make this change, for you haven't synced any files yet.

Step 3. Click Open my OneDrive folder in the Your OneDrive is ready for you page.

Open My Onedrive Folder

Step 4. When you open this page, you can drag and drop or copy and paste the files/folders you want to sync into the OneDrive folder.

Select Sync Folders

Step 5. After that, your local folders on your PC will be automatically backed up to OneDrive.

To using OneDrive on multiple computers:

To backup more computers to the same account, just come to another computer. Similarly, run OneDrive desktop app and sign in to it with the same OneDrive account. Then repeat the operations as shown to you as above. In this way, both selected folders on 2 PCs will be synced to OneDrive easily.

#2. Backup multiple computers to OneDrive with third-party tool

For another situation, you don’t just want to back up your computer files to the cloud. You want to back up your disk or your entire PC. However, those backup or sync apps that comes with these cloud services can only backup documents, images, music and other important files. In order to protect your entire computer, and saves your backup both locally and on OneDrive Cloud, you can apply to a professional free cloud backup software - AOMEI Backupper Standard.

As the backup tool of choice for millions of users, AOMEI Backupper can offer you many powerful features. Here is a list of some of them that you can benefit from:

 ✎Backup types: As the best cloud backup software, it allows you to backup files/folders, system, partitions, , disks.
Various cloud storage: You can backup to multiple cloud devices such as Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, etc.
Various locations: You can backup to several devices, such as cloud drive, external hard drive, USB drive, NAS device, etc.
Automatic backup: It supports you to automate your backup tasks on a daily, weekly, monthly, etc. basis.
High compatibility: It supports multiple Windows operating systems, including Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP, Vista. For Server users, please try AOMEI Backupper Server.

Now, download and install AOMEI Backupper Standard on all your computers that are to be backed up.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

 Tip: As the system backup image file may be too large, please check if your OneDrive cloud storage is sufficient, if not, please upgrade to avoid backup failure.

Step 1. Open this tool, click Backup then choose System Backup.

System Backup

Step 2. The program automatically chooses the system-related partition(s) as the source data. You just need to select a cloud drive to store your backup.

Select Destination Path

Step 3. Select the OneDrive folder as the destination to save the entire system image backup. OneDrive desktop folder is probably located in C:\Users\UserName\OneDrive.

Backup to OneDrive

 Options: Enables you to modify the backup image, like compress, split, encrypt, and comment, even email notification.
Schedule Backup: 5 options are provided here to automatically backup computer to OneDrive - Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Event triggers and USB plug in. (last two are available in paid edition).
Backup Scheme: AOMEI Backupper Professional offers an option that can help remove old backup images automatically to free up storage space.

Step 4. After managing your personalized settings, click Start Backup and wait for the process to complete.

 Note: This operation is performed by creating a separate backup task for each computer in a separate installation. If you don't want to install it repeatedly, you can use AOMEI Backupper Technician or Technician Plus edition to Create Portable Version.

Enterprise backup solution to backup multiple computers flexibly

OneDrive is a great Cloud storage service for backing up and syncing multiple computers. After backing up to OneDrive, we still recommend you create a local backup for all of your computers for a higher security level, especially if you are an enterprise backup. 

Here we would like to recommend a professional enterprise backup software named AOMEI Cyber Backup. It performs excellently in backing up multiple computers (PCs & Servers). And it stands out due to the following advantages.

• Easy to use tool: An intuitive console simplifies the whole backup steps. Anyone can easily backup all computers within a few steps.
• All data included: Provides 3 backup ways - disk backup, partition backup, system backup to ensure all critical data are protected.
• Centralized and separate management: With the web console, backup all computers to any location of your local, external storage, NAS drive, etc. And Easily manage each backup separately.
• Automatic backup: Support automatic backup features to ensure continuous data protection. Setup a backup schedule, and then the backup task will backup daily, weekly, or monthly.

Now you can click the download button to download the free trial version of AOMEI Cyber Backup. Then we will guide you on how to use it to backup multiple computers.

Download FreewareEasiest Enterprise Backup Software
Secure Download

Step 1. Install and run AOMEI Cyber Backup, then login. The both of administrator username and password are "Admin".

Step 2. Then install AOMEI Cyber Backup agent on all computers that need backing up. Click "Source Device" >"Agents" >"Download Agent" to download the installation file to your local computer, and then copy it to the corresponding device for installation. 

Step 3. Now you can add Windows computer. Click Source Device Windows Add Windows Device to add the Windows you want to backup.

Add Windows Device

Step 4.  To create a backup task, click Backup Task on the left menu bar and select Backup Task Create New Task. Choose a backup type, and content, and set the backup location, and other settings. Click "Start Backup" button.

create backup task

Conclusion

Above all are the graphical guide of the two easy ways to make OneDrive backup multiple computers. No matter which method you use, it will help you solve this task easily and effectively. Likewise, if you are Server users, you can use AOMEI Backupper to tackle server backup to cloud.

With numerous powerful features more than cloud backup, AOMEI Backupper also provides you with Restore, Sync, Clone features. You can simply tackle blue screen on Windows 11 issue with its help. Come and try it to safeguard your data now!

Clytze
Clytze · Editor
Clytze, an editor at AOMEI Technology, is passionate about safeguarding your digital world. She dedicates her expertise to empower users like you in data security and recovery. She firmly believes that everyone should have the tools and knowledge to protect their digital assets through computer backup, seamless disk cloning, and efficient file synchronization. Clytze is your trusted guide on the journey to data safety.