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How do you back up a computer to the cloud?
To back up computer to the cloud, install a dedicated backup service such as Backblaze or IDrive, sign in, choose your drives and let it upload in the background. It then backs up new and changed files continuously, with version history. Sync tools like OneDrive cover only selected folders, so they are not a full computer backup.
This guide is about full, versioned protection of every user file on a Windows PC or Mac. If you want the bigger strategy, including local drives, read our computer backup hub first.
| Option | What it covers | Version history | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backblaze Personal Backup | All user files on one computer, plus attached drives | 30 days default, 1 year free, forever paid | $99 per year |
| IDrive Personal | Multiple computers and phones in one account | Multiple versions | 5 TB from $6.99/month first year |
| OneDrive folder backup | Desktop, Documents, Pictures | 30-day recycle bin, version history | Included with Microsoft 365 |
| iCloud Drive Desktop and Documents | Desktop and Documents on a Mac | Limited | Included with iCloud+ |
Prices from official provider pages, checked October 2026.
What do you need before you start?
You need a reliable internet connection, enough time for the first upload and a plan that covers your data size. Check how much data you have before buying.
- On Windows, open File Explorer and check used space on each drive.
- On a Mac, open System Settings, General, Storage.
- Test your upload speed. It sets the pace of the first backup.
- Have a password manager ready if you plan to use a private encryption key.
Step by step: set up a full cloud backup
- Choose a service. One computer with lots of data suits Backblaze. Several devices suit IDrive.
- Install the app and create your account with a unique password.
- Turn on two-factor authentication in the account settings.
- Decide on encryption. Choose a private key only if you will store it safely.
- Review exclusions. Make sure external drives and unusual folders are included.
- Set the schedule to continuous or daily.
- Extend version history to one year or more if your plan allows.
- Let the first upload run with the computer plugged in and awake.
Download our free 3-2-1 checklist and tick off each step as you go. It takes about ten minutes to read and covers phones, computers and cloud accounts.
Send me the checklistHow to speed up the first upload
The first upload is limited by your upload speed. A 20 Mbps connection moves about 9 GB per hour at most, so 1 TB can take five days or more. A few changes help.
- Connect by Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi.
- Remove the app’s bandwidth limit during the first upload.
- Stop the computer sleeping in power settings.
- Back up your most important folders first, then add the rest.
- Ask if the service offers a seed drive for very large datasets.
Common errors and fixes
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| External drive missing | Drive not connected for 30 days | Plug it in regularly, check plan rules |
| Backup “stuck” | Computer sleeping | Change sleep settings |
| Some file types skipped | Default exclusions | Edit exclusion list |
| Slow internet for others | No bandwidth limit | Set a throttle during the day |
| Cannot restore | Private key lost | Store keys in a password manager |
Backblaze’s documentation, for example, notes that data from drives disconnected for long periods can be removed after retention ends. Check your provider’s rules for external drives.
How to verify the backup
When the first upload finishes, log in to the provider’s website and download a folder. Open several files, including a large one. Then check that the app shows a recent backup date. Repeat every three months using our check backup steps.
For OS-specific instructions, see cloud backup for Windows and back up a Mac to the cloud. Compare the two main services in Backblaze vs IDrive.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to back up a computer to the cloud?
The first backup depends on your data and upload speed. At 20 Mbps, expect roughly 9 GB per hour at best, so 1 TB can take five days or more. After that, continuous incremental backups usually take minutes because only changed files upload.
What do I need before I back up my computer to the cloud?
You need a backup service plan, a stable internet connection, an idea of your data size and time for the first upload. Set up two-factor login, decide whether to use a private encryption key and keep the computer plugged in and awake during the initial backup.
What are common mistakes when backing up a computer to the cloud?
Common mistakes include relying on OneDrive or iCloud Drive as a full backup, letting the computer sleep, ignoring excluded file types and losing a private key. Another is leaving external drives disconnected for months, which can remove them from the backup.
Is OneDrive enough to back up my computer?
OneDrive folder backup protects Desktop, Documents and Pictures on Windows, with a 30-day recycle bin. It does not protect other folders, apps or settings with long version history. For a full computer backup, add a dedicated service or a local drive image.
Is cloud computer backup secure?
Reputable services encrypt data in transit and at rest. For extra privacy, Backblaze and IDrive let you set a private key so only you can decrypt files. Combine that with a strong unique password and two-factor login for the account.
Our Start Here guide shows the three steps every setup needs, in plain English. Cannot find a guide for your phone, app or drive? Request a guide and we will write it.
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