Automatic cloud backup: how to set it up on Google Drive and OneDrive
Why manual backup almost always fails
Everyone knows they should back up — but a backup that depends on remembering to do it, in practice, doesn't happen often enough. The solution is to set it up once and let it run on its own: that's exactly what automatic cloud backup solves.
Setting it up on Google Drive (via Google Drive for desktop)
- Download and install the "Google Drive for desktop" app from Google's official site
- Log in with your Google account
- Choose the folders on your computer you want to sync automatically (e.g. Documents, Desktop)
- Done — any file saved in those folders now uploads to the cloud on its own
Setting it up on OneDrive (already built into Windows)
- Open OneDrive from Windows search (it comes pre-installed by default)
- Log in with your Microsoft account
- Under Settings > Backup, turn on automatic backup for the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders
- The cloud icon in the Windows tray shows the sync status
How much free space you get
Google Drive offers 15 GB free and OneDrive usually comes with 5 GB free per account — enough for documents and spreadsheets, but it can get tight if you work with a lot of high-resolution photos or videos. In that case, it's worth considering a paid plan or combining both accounts.
PruPru Digital Security Checklist
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See the security checklist →Does cloud backup replace local backup?
Ideally, you shouldn't depend on just one place. The most commonly used rule is 3-2-1: three copies of the data, on two different types of media, with at least one of them off-site (and the cloud already covers that off-site part).
Frequently asked questions
Are my files safe in the cloud?
Google Drive and OneDrive use encryption and account authentication to protect stored files — the weakest point is usually the account password itself, so it's worth using a strong password and two-factor authentication.
Does automatic backup use a lot of internet?
Day to day, only new or changed files are uploaded, so the usage is much lower than it seems. The biggest impact happens during the first sync, when everything uploads at once.