The majority use Google Drive as cloud storage because it is easy to use and has free storage of up to 15 GB per individual. Others still prefer to store data on an external hard drive for other reasons, like better security or faster access. This article will provide steps on backing up Google Drive to an external hard drive, depending on the reason for doing so.
Methods for backing up Google Drive Files onto an External Hard Drive
The following are three methods of backing up Google Drive content to an external hard drive: the first is to download directly from Google Drive, the second is by utilizing the Google Takeout Tool, and the third is by utilizing an automated tool.
The initial step is to backup Google Drive files to an external hard disk.
To apply this technique, observe the following steps:
- Launch Chrome and go to the Google Drive website.
- Search for the files or folders you wish to save.
- Secondly, choose the Google Drive files that you wish to sync to the External Hard Drive.
- Next, click Download from the drop-down menu.
The other method of backing up Google Drive files to an external hard drive.
We achieve this with Google Takeout. Google Takeout is a free Google tool that helps users move information from a Gmail account to an external hard drive.
- Open the Chrome browser and log into your Gmail account, where you will keep the files.
- Next, visit Google Takeout at Google and paste the first link.
- Choose the data to copy and click Next.
- Finally, choose the file type, frequency, and where to save your files.
- After you finish the above procedures, click Create Export, and the tool will be downloaded.
- Then, you’ll have a resulting backup file or link in the location you’ve specified.
Weaknesses of employing these approaches:
- There is a file size limit; Google Takeout accommodates files up to 50 GB in a single download.
- There is no plan for a change if the process is initiated
- They need to go through this drill repeatedly for numerous accounts.
Hence, if the said rules fail, the third alternative is likely to be pursued.
The third method of securing Google Drive is saving data on an external hard drive.
All businesses desire to utilize the automated Google Drive backup program to duplicate their data to an external hard drive. I have an excellent recommendation for that: the Shoviv Google Drive Backup tool. This program possesses extremely useful features, which make it among the best software for Google Drive backup.
Some of the features of the Shoviv Google Drive Backup tool
- This software allows you to copy all the data in Google Drive.
- Other than that, users can only keep important data.
- It has several options to filter by Folder, Date, File Extension, and Size.
- It has a simple-to-use GUI.
- Multiple Google Drive backup operations can be performed simultaneously.
How can I utilize this tool to backup Google Drive files onto an external hard disk?
- Install and download Shoviv Google Drive Backup software.
- Incorporate Google Drive and Google Workspace as input data.
- Under the ribbon bar, choose the option Create Job and click on it.
- To finish, select Source and Target, and submit by clicking Create Job.
- Then, provide a title for the backup job, define the source and destination projects, and proceed by clicking the Next button.
- If necessary, activate the filters of the various criteria and go ahead and click Next.
- On the Settings page, configure a backup if required and click Finish.
- Finally, the program will start the backup.
Conclusion
This article discusses three methods of backing up Google Drive to an external hard drive. The first two methods are good for personal usage when there is not a large amount of data. However, in the business world, it is always good to use automated software such as Shoviv’s backup utility.