backing up C Drive to OneDrive?

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Is it possible, using a tool like Acronis or Macrium Reflect, to back up to OneDrive? Since my OneDrive space is now over 1TB, it would seem a logical (and safe) choice.

Regards,
Chuck Billow

Chuck Billow

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You might be able to, but the way OneDrive works by default, you will have a copy stored both in the cloud and on your computer.

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So then, Graham, if I set up a backup to go to my OneDrive folder locally, would it then by default copy the backup to the cloud? ‘Cause if so, that would be fine, since I then would have local access as needed with cloud security simultaneously.

Would I “just” set my backup to go to the OneDrive folder?

Regards,
Chuck Billow

Chuck Billow

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So then, Graham, if I set up a backup to go to my OneDrive folder locally, would it then by default copy the backup to the cloud?

Yes. I don’t know how large your HDD is or how much you plan on backing up, but it’s not hard to surpass the 10GB per file limit with backups.

And one of the real limitations with OneDrive is the fact that it DOES store a copy both locally and in the cloud. You have 1TB of space on OneDrive, how much spare room do you have on your HDD? If you have 500GB of stuff on OneDrive, you also have 500GB on your HDD.

There are some tricks that will let you put stuff up on OneDrive that is not replicated down to your computer, but that’s a different topic.

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I have a 1TB external drive and a 750 gig external. I would have more than enough space to store 3 backups locally, and that would leave me with 250 G on my OneDrive which also would be more than enough for my purposes.

As for the 10GB file size limit, I’m going to take a look at Macrium, because, although I haven’t needed it as yet and so therefore never checked into it, there most certainly will be a way to dictate file size limits for backups in case one would want to transfer same to DVD.

Chuck

Chuck Billow

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You should be able to image to the One Drive folder directly or move it there afterword.
Just don’t rely entirely on One Drive for the restoration process.

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Clint, that’s what I was just asking Graham: If I direct my backup to my local OneDrive folder, would it then be automatically in both places — locally for access/restoration if need be, and cloud-0based for insurance?

Chuck

Chuck Billow

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Clint, that’s what I was just asking Graham: If I direct my backup to my local OneDrive folder, would it then be automatically in both places — locally for access/restoration if need be, and cloud-0based for insurance?

Chuck

Yeah, that’s right, One Drive free WILL definitely have a file size limit,
You’re looking at least 15-30 GB with W7, 8.1, and 10.
And I imagine there’s no way they are going to give you 15-30GB free.

A lean XP system, maybe.

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I just set up my backup to do it in DVD sized chucks, 4.7 gigs. That way it will satisfy the OneDrive size restrictions. I had moved my OneDrive to an external drive, and the backup, done as a single file (120 gigs) worked fine, but then, obviously the transfer didn’t.

I’ll try the segmented backup tonight and, if that works, then the transfer to “the cloud” ought to as well…We’ll see. ‘Cause if this does work, I’ll get cloud backup at a really cheap price — and, because of the way OneDrive works, have immediate local access as well.

Chuck

Chuck Billow

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One thing that you will need to consider is maximum file size which appears to be only 2GB for Onedrive for Business.

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Browni, in September 2014, MS increased 1D file size to 10 gigs. I’ll keep looking — and, in fact, keep trying because I’m running a test backup as we “speak”, and they are, for me, generally often in excess of 100 gigs…so, we’ll soon see!

Chuck

http://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-increases-onedrive-file-size-limit-10-gb-and-adds-more-features

Chuck Billow

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Chuck,

You don’t say which version you have, the 2GB limit is for Onedrive for Business.

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Browni, no, I’m not using OneDrive for Business. Strange MS would put that limit on a product aimed at business…ah well.

Chuck

Chuck Billow

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Chuck, OneDrive cannot span multiple devices and is (normally) located on an internal HDD. I’m not certain how much luck you would have trying to put it on an external drive unless it were connected and on all the time.

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Gordon, I did a backup using “default” backup settings (single file) and that worked fine. I am now in the process of trying it using 4 gig “chunks” that would then circumvent the file size limitation while still completing the backup —

Note: The backup itself is created in the local OneDrive folder, and then the various 4 gig files “should be” transferred up.

Chuck

Chuck Billow

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I suspect you might have some difficulty restoring a disk image from OneDrive – at least directly.

Think this through, and try it, before relying on this way of using a backup.

The time when you need it is the wrong time to find that recovery is problematic.

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Cloud storage, what happens if it rains?
https://threatpost.com/hacker-puts-hosting-service-code-spaces-out-of-business/106761/
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/14/10/15/0321203/if-your-cloud-vendor-goes-out-of-business-are-you-ready
http://www.forbes.com/sites/tonybradley/2013/07/23/the-myth-of-online-backup/#7ee3bda82950
http://www.hstreet.com/tip-jul-2014.html

I recommend continuing with what you believe will work for you; and, include two usb ext HDs and Macrium Reflect routine.

"Take care of thy backups and thy restores shall take care of thee." Ben Franklin, revisted

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When I first subscribed to Office 365 Home, they were giving unlimited storage on OneDrive.

I have heard that was subsequently reduced to ??? because people were abusing that unlimited storage.

But, my OneDrive account has always shown my storage capacity as 10 TB.

I have no plans on backing up my C:// drive to OneDrive – but if I did, I would have more than ample storage capacity to do that.

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When I first subscribed to Office 365 Home, they were giving unlimited storage on OneDrive.

I have heard that was subsequently reduced to ??? because people were abusing that unlimited storage.

But, my OneDrive account has always shown my storage capacity as 10 TB.

I have no plans on backing up my C:// drive to OneDrive – but if I did, I would have more than ample storage capacity to do that.

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Steven, my storage is only showing as 1 TB — sigh,whimper…

Chuck

Chuck Billow

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Roland, the concerns over “rain” are certainly real. I have no intention of totally replacing my local backups. That is why what I plan, assuming all the pieces come together is to use OneDrive, which, in effect, if I am understanding this, will give me both a local and a cloud backup simultaneously.

I have used external (usb) drives for backup for years. As the articles both mention and allude to, no online service should be considered either perfect nor a catchall for any and every situation.

At the same time though, if I can start a local backup, directed at my OneDrive folder, on say, a Saturday or Sunday night, then, when the process is complete I will have both a local and a cloud backup.

AND, I moved my OneDrive folder to a USB 3.0 external drive, so that exposure to system crashes would be further minimized.

Regards,
Chuck

Chuck Billow

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CWBillow, is the hard-drive copy of what’s on the Cloud copied from what’s on the Cloud, or is the hard-drive copy generated by Macrium [for example]? Because of the potential for The ‘Net to become problematic during the backup process, I would rather you separately:
— use Macrium [for example] to make usb ext HD full-images of OS & data partitions
— use Macrium to make the Cloud backup

"Take care of thy backups and thy restores shall take care of thee." Ben Franklin, revisted

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If you have a “normal” (for the USA) internet connection where the upload speed is significantly slower than download backing up a substantial amount of data such as a backup is likely to be time prohibitive.

Joe

--Joe

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Joe / Roland;

As I had figured that upload speeds were be a factor (as exhibited as problematic by all cloud services), I back up using macrium locally, and verify the backup.

I moved my OneDrive folder off “C” in order to account for the space requirements of the backup, and also to avoid any conflicts trying to backup a drive that is both source and destination. I set up Macrium to generate the backup in 4 gig chunks, both to avoid the limits of OneDrive and also to, if desired, copy the backup off to DVD.

So:

What I generate is a local, verified backup in my OneDrive folder which then, by the very nature of OneDrive is copied to the cloud. Thhis stage, since all is verified already, can be performed overnight.

Yes?

Chuck

Chuck Billow

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Well, you can try it. If the backup is 120GB I think it will most likely not complete overnight. It is entirely dependent on your upload speed and the reliability of your connection.

Joe

--Joe

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