How to Efficiently Backup One External Hard Drive to Another: A Comprehensive Guide for Windows and macOS Users

Backing up your important data is a crucial step in ensuring that your files are safe from loss due to hardware failure or other unforeseen circumstances. This article will guide you through the process of backing up one external hard drive to another, using both Windows and macOS operating systems. Follow these steps to ensure the fastest and most reliable backup process.

Overview of the Backup Process

Whether you are using Windows or macOS, the basic steps remain similar. The key differences lie in the specific commands and tools available in each system. Let's dive into each operating system's method in detail.

Backup Process for Windows Users

To back up one external hard drive to another in Windows, follow these straightforward steps:

1. Connecting Both Drives

Connect both external hard drives to your computer via USB ports.

2. Using File Explorer for Basic Backup

Open File Explorer. Locate the source external hard drive. Select the files and folders you want to back up. You can press Ctrl A to select everything. Right-click the selection and choose Copy. Navigate to the destination external hard drive and right-click in the folder where you want to paste. Select Paste to complete the backup.

3. Using Robocopy for Large Backups

Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Use the following command to initiate the backup:

robocopy E:SourceFolder F:DestinationFolder /E /Z /MIR

Replace E:SourceFolder with the path of your source drive and F:DestinationFolder with the path of your destination drive. The /E flag copies all subdirectories, including empty ones. The /Z flag enables a restartable mode, allowing the backup to be continued after a network or system interruption. The /MIR flag mirrors the directory structure, deleting files in the destination that are not in the source.

Backup Process for macOS Users

Back up one external hard drive to another on macOS with these easy steps:

1. Connecting Both Drives

Plug in both external hard drives to your computer.

2. Using Finder for Basic Backup

Open Finder. Locate your source external hard drive. Select the files and folders you want to back up, then right-click and select Copy. Navigate to the destination external hard drive, right-click in the desired location, and select Paste Item.

3. Using Terminal for Large Backups

Open Terminal. Use the following command to initiate the backup:

rsync -avh --progress /Volumes/SourceDrive /Volumes/DestinationDrive

Replace SourceDrive and DestinationDrive with the names of your drives. The -a option preserves attributes. The -v option provides verbosity. The -h option gives human-readable output.

Additional Tips for a Successful Backup

To ensure that your backup process runs smoothly, consider the following tips:

Ensure Both Drives Are Formatted: Make sure both drives are formatted in a compatible file system for your operating system, such as NTFS for Windows, APFS for macOS, or exFAT for macOS. Check Available Space: Ensure the destination drive has enough free space to accommodate the backup files. Use Backup Software: Consider using dedicated backup software like Acronis True Image, EaseUS Todo Backup, or Time Machine for macOS, which offer advanced features such as scheduling and incremental backups.

By following these steps and additional tips, you can efficiently back up one external hard drive to another, ensuring the safety and integrity of your important data.