Some computer help needed

[canalsideClaret]

Hi Tony - I found these instructions also for OneDrive backup.

1 Select the blue cloud icon in the Windows notification area, select Help & Settings > Settings, then Backup > Manage backup.
2 Select the folders that you want to back up.
3 Select Start backup.

Does this help at all?

[ClaretTony]

Hi Tony - I found these instructions also for OneDrive backup.

1 Select the blue cloud icon in the Windows notification area, select Help & Settings > Settings, then Backup > Manage backup.
2 Select the folders that you want to back up.
3 Select Start backup.

Does this help at all?

Afraid not. I do have a cloud in the notification area but when I select it I just get a message telling me that all my files are in sync, which they clearly are not.

I've now hit further problems. I switched the desktop on today and it was asking me for a password as part of the startup. I've had it 11 years and never once have I had to use a password. I just kept guessing at some of the passwords I use until one finally let me in.

[Grumps]

I could assist.... But you've blocked me

[ClaretTony]

Hi Tony - I found these instructions also for OneDrive backup.

1 Select the blue cloud icon in the Windows notification area, select Help & Settings > Settings, then Backup > Manage backup.
2 Select the folders that you want to back up.
3 Select Start backup.

Does this help at all?

I think it has helped the second time. I tried again this afternoon and this time I got the pop up with the 'Help & Settings' option so then followed the instructions. It started backing up all the files at around 3:30 p.m. today and it's now around a third of the way through. But it does appear to be working.

[ClaretTony]

Could I please thank all of you who have offered advice & help on this thread. What would once have been an easy task for me is no longer the case. I think it is just getting older and getting stressed over things more easily.

Anyway - where I am

New laptop purchased
Microsoft 365 purchased
All files on desktop now copied into OneDrive

This means I have all my files now backed up. They sync when updated.

Once the desktop goes it would leave me with everything on OneDrive but should I be copying it onto the new laptop so I have the OneDrive as a copy?

[wilks_bfc]

You shouldn’t need a copy of it now it’s on the OneDrive

If you create a “local” copy on your laptop, then you will either use that and the OneDrive file will not be updated or vice versa

[Zlatan]

There is an option on a folder by folder basis to “always keep on my device” so you can keep local copies for when you’re offline, and they will be re-synced when you go back online. The previous versions is also good for rolling back changes if something is broken .

Consider though that if you have a large OneDrive folder you may have to be selective about which folder to always keep on device as the local copy is cached to your user profile (usually) and will fill your local hard disk

[Hipper]

Could I please thank all of you who have offered advice & help on this thread. What would once have been an easy task for me is no longer the case. I think it is just getting older and getting stressed over things more easily.

Anyway - where I am

New laptop purchased
Microsoft 365 purchased
All files on desktop now copied into OneDrive

This means I have all my files now backed up. They sync when updated.

Once the desktop goes it would leave me with everything on OneDrive but should I be copying it onto the new laptop so I have the OneDrive as a copy?

Congrats Tony. It's very satisfying that you can still fight your way through to win these battles with modern technology.

[aggi]

Could I please thank all of you who have offered advice & help on this thread. What would once have been an easy task for me is no longer the case. I think it is just getting older and getting stressed over things more easily.

Anyway - where I am

New laptop purchased
Microsoft 365 purchased
All files on desktop now copied into OneDrive

This means I have all my files now backed up. They sync when updated.

Once the desktop goes it would leave me with everything on OneDrive but should I be copying it onto the new laptop so I have the OneDrive as a copy?

Keep the stuff on Onedrive and work on it. Your copy is effectively the Onedrive cloud. This means that the most recent version of anything is getting backed up, you don't have to actually think about backing things up and, for things like Word and Excel, you'll get version history so you can roll back edits.

If you want you can also have Onedrive back up your Desktop, Documents, etc (go on the little cloud icon on your system tray, right click, settings, Back up, Manage back up, make sure those folders are ticked, Start back up) which may be a preferred way of working.

[ClaretTony]

Keep the stuff on Onedrive and work on it. Your copy is effectively the Onedrive cloud. This means that the most recent version of anything is getting backed up, you don't have to actually think about backing things up and, for things like Word and Excel, you'll get version history so you can roll back edits.

If you want you can also have Onedrive back up your Desktop, Documents, etc (go on the little cloud icon on your system tray, right click, settings, Back up, Manage back up, make sure those folders are ticked, Start back up) which may be a preferred way of working.

I think everything I need to back up I have done so and I've now got copies on my old desktop hard drive and in OneDrive.