How to Backup Google Drive to External Hard Drive [4 Easy Ways]
Can I Copy Google Drive Data to an External Drive
You can copy your Google Drive data to an external hard drive as a backup, which can help prevent file corruption, accidental deletion, or malware attacks. To do this, access your Drive and export the files and data to an external hard drive connected to your computer. This will allow you to have a local copy of your data and ensure its safety.
You can back up your Google Drive data to an external hard drive, which is also a good alternative for accessing data offline. There are four ways to do this, including using a hard drive backup software called Qiling Backup Home. This method allows you to easily transfer your Google Drive data to an external hard drive, providing a safe and secure backup of your important files.
How to Backup Google Drive to External Hard Drive in 4 Ways
Backing up your Google Drive files to an external hard drive is a great way to safeguard your important files in case you accidentally delete them from your drive. This approach also allows you to access your files from anywhere, even without an internet connection, thanks to the portability of an external hard drive.
You can transfer your Google Drive files to an external hard drive in four primary ways. These include using a cloud backup service, a third-party software, a Google Drive desktop app, or a manual download and upload process.
- Method 1. Use Disk Backup Software
- Method 2. Use Google Takeout
- Method 3. Use Google Drive for Desktop
- Method 4. Backup Google Drive Using Google Vault
We'll discuss how each method works in the next subheadings.
Method 1. Use DiskBackup Software
To back up Google Drive to an external hard drive, the recommended method is using Qiling Backup software, which supports backing up hard drives on various devices, including Windows 11/10/8/7.
Qiling allows you to back up and clone a hard drive, keeping exact copies on an external drive, network location, NAS, or cloud, and restores deleted files from backups, ensuring data security with a security zone backup feature that protects against malware and ransomware attacks.
Other Features of Qiling Backup Home
- Supports full-Protect your files by backing up data to local drives and external storage drives, ensuring scale protection of your digital assets.
- This product offers various clone options, ranging from small to large hard drive sizes, allowing users to choose the best fit for their needs.
- The system enables a hot backup, allowing data to be saved while the system continues to run without interruption.
- It has a smart backup feature that allows you to save your data on a 7-day cycle.
To start backing up Google Drive to an external hard drive using Qiling Backup Home, download and install the trial version of the software on your computer. Then, follow these steps to get started with the backup process.
Step 1. To initiate a backup, click the "File backup" button to start the backup process.
Step 2. The top tree view displays both local and network files, allowing you to browse and select the desired backup files by extending the directory.
Step 3. Please follow the on-screen instructions and select a location to store the backup.
Step 4. To encrypt the backup with a password in Backup Options, click Options. You can also make other choices to customize the backup process according to your needs.
To specify the backup schedule, click the Backup Scheme button and select the backup frequency, such as daily, weekly, or monthly, and the time of day when the backup should start. This will ensure that backups are performed automatically at the designated intervals.
Step 5. The backup can be stored on a local disk, Qiling's online service, or a Network-Attached Storage (NAS) device.
Step 6. Qiling Backup allows users to back up their data to both a third-party cloud drive and Qiling's own cloud drive.
To back up data to a cloud drive provided by a third party, select Local Drive, scroll down to add Cloud Device, and then add and log in to your account.
Step 7. Click Proceed to start the backup process. The backup job will be displayed on the left side of the panel after it's completed. You can then right-click on the backup job to manage it further.
Method 2. Use Google Takeout
Google Takeout is an advanced Google service that allows you to export data in one instance from various Google products, including Google Photos and Google Drive. This service provides a convenient way to download files from Google Drive and save them to an external hard drive.
To backup Google Drive to an external hard drive, you can use Google Takeout. This process involves exporting your Google Drive data to a zip file, which can then be downloaded to your computer.
Step 1. To export Google Drive data, access Google Takeout, select the "Drive" option under "Select data to include," and click on "Next Step."
Step 2. Select the type, frequency, and destination for your files, then click on "Create Export" at the bottom of the page.
Step 3. To confirm if Google Takeout has sent you a download link, check your Gmail inbox. Once you've located the email, click on the link to download the zipped files to your computer.
Step 4. Once the system downloads all the files to your computer, you can click to unzip them.
Step 5. Select all the unzipped files at once and drag and drop them to your external hard drive, effectively saving your Google Drive data to the external hard drive.
Method 3. Use Google Drive for Desktop
To backup your files and data to an external hard drive using Google Drive for desktop, simply download and install the software on your computer, then select the external hard drive as the backup location, and Google Drive will automatically sync your files to the drive, ensuring your data is safely backed up.
Step 1. Connect an external hard drive to your computer.
Step 2. To sign in to Google Drive for desktop, start the application and click on the "Sign in with browser" option. This will open a browser window where you can enter your Google account credentials to authenticate and access your Google Drive files.
Step 3. Once logged in, click on the Google Drive tab and check the option for "mirror files." A popup will display, click "Change folder location" to proceed.
Step 4. Confirm the location for your external hard drive and click on it. Then, click the "Select Folder" button.
Step 5. Upon returning to the Google Drive interface, click "Confirm location."
Step 6. Once you have selected the external hard drive, click on the "Save" button in the lower right to initiate the syncing process, which will transfer your Google Drive files and data to the chosen external hard drive.
Method 4. Backup Google Drive Using Google Vault
Google Vault is a data archiving software that retains G Suite data, including Google Drive files, even after permanent deletion, serving as a long-term storage solution rather than a backup.
To archive files and data using Google Vault, you'll need to set up a retention policy that outlines the type of data to keep and for how long, then follow the steps to get started with Google Vault for Google Drive backup to an external hard drive.
Step 1. Sign in to your G Suite account.
Step 2. On the Google Vault homepage, click on the left panel and select "Retention" from the options.
Step 3. Click on "Drive"to edit the retention policy.
Step 4. To set a default retention rule for Google Drive, go to the "Default rule setting" section and tick the checkbox that says "Set a default retention rule for Drive."
Step 5. Under duration, check the radio button for "Indefinitely."
Step 6. To save files in Google Vault, click on "Save" and Google Vault will retain your Google Drive files indefinitely.
Step 7. To transfer saved files to an external hard drive, download them to your computer first.
Step 8. To back up your Google Drive data, first, locate your external hard drive and connect it to your computer. Next, open your Google Drive account and select the files you want to back up. Then, drag and drop the selected files to the location of your external hard drive.
Backup Google Drive to External Hard Drive FAQs
Below, we've answered some commonly asked questions about backing up Google Drive to an external hard drive.
1. Can I Put Google Drive on an External Drive?
You can save your Google Drive files and data to an external hard drive using Qiling Backup Home software, Google Takeout, Google Drive for desktop, or Google Vault.
2. Can I Export My Entire Google Drive?
You can download and export your entire Google Drive data, including Google Docs, Forms, Slides, Sheets, Jamboard, Sites, Drawings, etc., and save them to an external hard drive or another location, creating an archive record for your files and data.
3. Can I Download Google Drive to My Computer?
You can download and install Google Drive for desktop on your computer, allowing you to access your Drive files offline and save them to external drives for added protection.
4. How to Back Up Google Drive to an External Hard Drive on Mac?
You can achieve this through the following steps:
- Step 1. To export files and folders from Google Drive to an external drive, visit the Google Drive website and locate the files and folders you want to export.
- Step 2. Hold on to the "control" button and select all the files you want to back up.
- Step 3. To download files, click on "Download" and ensure your external hard drive is set as the default location for download files, allowing the system to save files directly to the external hard drive.
Conclusion
Backing up Google Drive data to an external drive helps prevent file corruption, accidental deletion, and malware attacks, and allows offline access. Qiling Backup Home is the recommended software for this purpose, with other options including Google Takeout, Drive for desktop, and Vault.
If you want a secure way to back up Google Drive to an external drive, Qiling Backup Home is the best answer. This tool offers security zone backup protection to prevent malware or ransomware attacks, and supports Windows 11/10/8/7. To ensure your Google Drive is backed up safely, download and install Qiling Backup Home today to back up your files to an external hard drive.
Related Articles
- How to Backup BitLockerEncrypted Drive in Windows 2022
- How to Stop OneDrive from Syncing in Windows 11/10 [ You Must know]
- [99%'s Choice] How to Backup Entire Hard Drive Windows 10
- Top 10 Offline Backup Software Recommended in 2022