Forum Discussion
Backup folders from a 2nd computer that don't sync with 1st
Hi, I have a work laptop that only I have access to (I'm a sole trader) and that is connected to OneDrive for online backup. I now have a 2nd computer used for games and music creation. I want to backup a few of those folders to the same OneDrive account but I don't want them to sync with my work files. Likewise, I don't want any files from my work laptop syncing with my 2nd PC. Is this possible? Both PCs use the same account login. Thanks for your help, Nigel.
- NikolinoDEGold Contributor
It is possible to back up specific folders from a second computer to your OneDrive account without syncing those files with your work laptop or vice versa. Here’s how you can achieve this:
Steps to Backup Specific Folders to OneDrive from a Second Computer
- Install OneDrive on the Second Computer:
- Ensure that the OneDrive application is installed on your second computer (the one used for gaming and music creation).
- Sign in to OneDrive:
- Open OneDrive and sign in with the same Microsoft account that you use on your work laptop.
- Choose What Folders to Sync:
- During the OneDrive setup on your second computer, you’ll have the option to select which folders to sync. Here’s how to do it:
- Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray (bottom right of your screen).
- Select Settings.
- Go to the Account tab.
- Click on Choose folders.
- Here, you can uncheck the folders you don’t want to sync from your work laptop. You can leave your OneDrive folder empty or select only the specific folders you want from your second computer.
- Set Up a Backup for Specific Folders:
- On your second computer, navigate to the folders you want to back up (e.g., music creation files or game files).
- You can either:
- Drag and Drop: Open the OneDrive folder from File Explorer and drag the folders you want to back up into your OneDrive folder. This will upload those folders to OneDrive without syncing files from your work laptop.
- Create a Separate Backup Folder: In your OneDrive, create a separate folder (e.g., "Music Creation Backups" or "Game Backups") and then copy or move the desired folders into this new folder.
- Turn Off Syncing for Specific Folders (if needed):
- If you have previously set up OneDrive to sync folders from your work laptop that you don't want to mix with your second computer:
- Go to the OneDrive settings as mentioned in step 3.
- Uncheck any folders that you don't want to sync with your second computer.
Best Practices
- Use Separate OneDrive Folders: To keep things organized, consider using distinct folders within OneDrive for your work and personal files.
- Monitor Storage: Keep an eye on your OneDrive storage to ensure you have enough space for the files you want to back up.
- Manual Backups: If you prefer, you can also manually copy files to your OneDrive folder without relying on automatic sync. This way, you have complete control over what gets uploaded.
Summary
By managing the folder selection and using the OneDrive settings effectively, you can back up specific folders from your second computer to OneDrive without syncing files from your work laptop. This approach ensures your work files remain separate and secure while still providing a backup solution for your personal projects.
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