Here is the short, direct answer you came for. The safest backup plan today is a simple three two one setup. Keep three copies of your data in total, on two different types of storage, with one copy off site in the cloud. On Windows 10 and Windows 11 use OneDrive for always on cloud sync of key folders, add a scheduled copy to an external drive with File History or Windows Backup, and keep a second cloud location for photos and archives with Google Drive or Dropbox. If you want encrypted backups that stay private even in the cloud, use Folder Lock to encrypt first, then place the encrypted locker inside OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. This gives you continuous cloud sync plus local and external drive options, while your files remain unreadable to anyone without your password. Microsoft confirms Known Folder protection for OneDrive, Google confirms Drive for desktop folder backup, and Dropbox confirms Backup for Desktop, Documents, and more. Apple confirms that a locked iPhone cannot be newly backed up without the passcode or a previously trusted computer, so set up backups before you have a problem.

Now use this complete guide to implement and troubleshoot every task on your list.

Why this plan works for real users

OneDrive is built into Windows and protects your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures automatically with version history and ransomware recovery. Google Drive for desktop can mirror or stream your files and back up any chosen folder on your PC. Dropbox Backup adds easy set and forget backups for your profile folders and even external drives. If you add an external USB or NAS to Windows File History, you also get fast local restores when the internet is down. For privacy, encrypt first with Folder Lock, then sync the encrypted locker anywhere. Published documentation backs each piece of this plan.

The full tutorials

OneDrive on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Goal. Continuous cloud backup of Desktop, Documents, and Pictures with simple restore.

Steps

1. Open OneDrive from the system tray and sign in with your Microsoft account. 
2. Select Settings then Sync and Backup then Manage Backup. 
3. Turn on Desktop Documents Pictures. This starts Known Folder protection so the content lives inside OneDrive and syncs. 
4. For immediate local copies on this device, right click the OneDrive root folder and choose Always keep on this device. This will download all items for full offline access. The equivalent in Settings is Advanced settings then Download all files. 

Add any other folder that is not one of the Known Folders
Option A move the folder into your OneDrive folder so it syncs.
Option B create a junction so the folder appears to stay in its original location while the data lives under OneDrive.

1. Close the app that uses the folder. 
2. Move the target folder into OneDrive for example OneDrive\Projects. 
3. Run Command Prompt as Administrator then create a junction
   mklink /J “C:\Original\Projects” “C:\Users\YourName\OneDrive\Projects” 
4. Open your app and verify the original path still works.

Troubleshooting
OneDrive says there are unsupported items. Remove temp files, .tmp files, or re parse file names with reserved characters.
The Always keep choice is missing. Update the OneDrive client then go to Settings then Advanced settings and use Download all files.
Known Folder not available. Your admin may disable it or policies may block it. Microsoft lists Known Folder Move requirements and admin controls.

Google Drive for desktop

Goal. Back up specific folders from your PC to Google Drive with optional mirror to an external drive.

Steps

1. Install Drive for desktop and sign in. 
2. Open Preferences then Folders from your computer. Click Add folder and select any local folder you want protected. Choose Sync with Google Drive. Your folder appears under Computers in Drive. 
3. Decide how Drive handles My Drive content.
   a. Stream files keeps space usage small and downloads on demand.
   b. Mirror files keeps a full local copy for faster access and resilience. You can choose the mirror location. 

Put the mirrored content on an external drive

1. In Preferences open Advanced settings. 
2. Change Local cache files directory or set the My Drive mirror location to a folder on your external drive. Confirm the drive letter or mount point. 
3. Keep the external drive connected when the PC is on. If it goes missing Drive pauses sync to protect data. 

Troubleshooting
Drive says the cache path is unavailable. This happens when the external drive letter changes or is disconnected. Reattach the drive and point Drive back to the folder in Advanced settings.
You need everything offline for a trip. Switch to Mirror or use Offline files for selected folders.

Dropbox Backup

Goal. One click capture of your Desktop Documents and more into Dropbox with simple restores.

Steps

1. Open Dropbox on your PC or Mac and go to Backup. 
2. Pick the folders you want Dropbox to back up. Desktop Documents Downloads and more are supported. 
3. Start backup and let it complete. Your backup is visible at the Backups section on dropbox dot com. 

Good to know
Dropbox Backup is separate from the normal Dropbox sync folder. That means the backed up Desktop from PC one does not replace the Desktop on PC two but you can browse and restore from the web.

Windows 10 and Windows 11 local backups

Goal. Fast local restore when internet is down plus protection from accidental deletion.

Use File History

1. Attach an external drive. 
2. Open Control Panel then System and Security then File History. 
3. Turn on File History and choose the external drive. 
4. Use Advanced settings to choose copy frequency and retention. 

Use Windows Backup in Windows 11

1. Press Start and type backup then open Windows Backup. 
2. Toggle Desktop Documents Pictures Videos Music to back up to OneDrive. 
3. Use a second target as File History for your external drive. Microsoft explains both options. 

Restore
Open File History and click Restore personal files. Browse the timeline to pick the version you want.

Troubleshooting
File History only covers user folders by default. Add custom folders to a Library or point File History to include them. If space fills up quickly reduce retention. Microsoft and Windows Central note these behaviors.

Photos at scale

Download all Google Photos to a hard drive
Best method for entire library

1. Open Google Takeout. 
2. Select Google Photos then choose All photo albums or pick specific years or albums. 
3. Choose export frequency and file size then create export and download the zip files to your drive. 

Download selected albums or chunks
You can select photos on photos dot google dot com and download but selection is limited in large batches. For full exports use Takeout.

Google Photos Locked Folder backup
Locked Folder keeps content private on device. Newer builds provide an option to enable backup for the Locked Folder if you choose. If you do not enable it, content stays only on the device. Check the Locked Folder area in the app to toggle backup.

OneDrive everywhere offline

Need every OneDrive file local for a trip or an archive
Use the global Download all files control in OneDrive Settings Advanced settings. This acts like choosing Always keep on this device for the entire OneDrive.

Move or copy from Google Drive to an external hard drive

Fastest reliable approach

1. Install Drive for desktop. 
2. Switch to Mirror so My Drive content lives in a normal folder. 
3. Choose the external drive as the mirror location or copy the mirrored folder to the external drive for a one time export. 

iPhone backups on Windows and onto an external drive

Create the local backup

1. Install iTunes from Microsoft Store. 
2. Connect iPhone with a cable and unlock it. If you see Trust This Computer, tap Trust and enter the passcode. 
3. In iTunes select the iPhone button then Summary then Back Up Now. Turn on Encrypt local backup to include Health and Keychain. 

Move future backups to an external drive

1. Close iTunes. 
2. Go to C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\ 
3. Move the Backup folder to your external drive for example E:\MobileSync\Backup 
4. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and create a junction
   mklink /J “C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup” “E:\MobileSync\Backup” 
5. Reopen iTunes and run a new backup. It will go to the external drive automatically. 

If the iPhone is locked and not trusted
Apple is clear. Without the passcode you cannot create a new backup on a computer that the phone has not previously trusted. The only supported recovery is to erase the phone and restore from an existing iCloud or iTunes backup.

Android backups when the screen is locked

If you forgot your unlock or never enabled USB debugging, you cannot newly pull data to a PC. Your best chance is the automatic Google One device backup that runs when the phone is idle, charging, and on Wi Fi, if you had enabled it earlier. After you reset or replace the phone, sign in with the same Google account and restore during setup.

For the future enable Backup by Google One in Settings then Google then Backup. That covers app data, SMS on many devices, call history, device settings, and more, and works automatically. Samsung phones also have their own backup.

Secure everything with Folder Lock encryption

What Folder Lock solves
Many people want cloud convenience without trusting the cloud provider to read their files. Folder Lock encrypts with AES two fifty six and keeps keys under your password. The simplest secure pattern is to create an encrypted locker, store your work inside it, then place that locker in your OneDrive Google Drive or Dropbox folder. Your cloud providers see only ciphertext and cannot read your content.

Integrated and upcoming cloud options
NewSoftwares notes a new Folder Lock release that integrates cloud backup of encrypted lockers with Dropbox Google Drive and OneDrive. Even without tight integration, you can already place the locker file in any sync folder to get the same effect.

Recommended setup for creators and teams

1. Create a Folder Lock locker called WorkSafe and store projects, invoices, and credentials inside. 
2. Put WorkSafe in OneDrive for live sync and versioning. Also copy that locker weekly to a second cloud like Google Drive using Drive for desktop or a tool such as Duplicati if you prefer automated scheduling. 
3. Add File History on an external drive for fast rollbacks of older versions. 

Why this is the best of both worlds
You get OneDrive and Dropbox convenience, local and offline restores, plus privacy by design. If a cloud account ever gets breached, your files remain unreadable. If ransomware hits, version history and the extra offline copy rescue you quickly.

Troubleshooting by scenario

OneDrive errors during Known Folder Backup
Cause
Long file paths or unsupported characters block sync.
Fix
Shorten names and remove reserved characters then retry. OneDrive support lists typical errors and fixes.

Drive for desktop says cache path is unavailable
Cause
External drive letter changed or mount is missing.
Fix
Reconnect the drive then change the Local cache files directory back to the external location in Preferences.

Dropbox Backup content is not in your normal Dropbox folder
Cause
Dropbox Backup stores backups separately.
Fix
Restore from the Backups page or download the files you need. This is by design.

Windows File History does not include a folder you expect
Cause
File History covers Libraries and selected folders.
Fix
Add your custom folder to a Library or copy it into your user profile, or add a second tool to capture it. Microsoft documents that File History focuses on personal folders.

Cannot back up a locked iPhone
Cause
New Apple security requires device unlock to trust a computer.
Fix
If you forgot the passcode, you must erase and restore from an older backup. Plan ahead with encrypted iTunes backups or iCloud.

Google Photos Locked Folder not backing up
Cause
Backup is either off by design or not enabled.
Fix
Open Photos then Library or Collections then Locked Folder and toggle Backup. If you prefer ultimate privacy keep it off.

A complete setup you can follow today

Phase one essential cloud

1. Turn on OneDrive Known Folder for Desktop Documents Pictures. 
2. Install Drive for desktop and add your main project folders under Folders from your computer. 
3. For photos use Google Photos with Takeout scheduled exports to your external drive twice a year. 

Phase two local and external

1. Enable File History to your external SSD with an hourly schedule and a three month retention. 
2. If you use Dropbox turn on Dropbox Backup for your Desktop and Downloads. 

Phase three privacy

1. Create a Folder Lock locker for sensitive material and put the locker file in OneDrive. 
2. Optionally replicate that locker weekly to Google Drive using Drive for desktop or a scheduler.

Phase four mobile

1. On iPhone enable encrypted iTunes backups on Windows and set a recurring reminder to back up weekly. Apple shows the Encrypt local backup option. 
2. On Android enable Backup by Google One in Settings.
   

Mini guides for each specific query

Backup Dropbox
Open Dropbox, go to Backup, pick folders, and start. Access your backups from the Backups page on the web to restore any file later. External drives can be backed up as well.

Backup files to OneDrive
Open OneDrive Settings then Sync and Backup then Manage Backup then toggle Desktop Documents Pictures. Right click the OneDrive root and choose Always keep on this device if you want everything offline.

Backup iPhone to external drive on Windows
Create an encrypted iTunes backup, move the MobileSync Backup folder to your external drive, then create a junction so iTunes uses the external target going forward.

Backup locked iPhone
You cannot newly back up without the device passcode or a prior trust. Erase and restore from an existing backup. Plan ahead with regular encrypted local or iCloud backups.

Backup locked folder in Google Photos
In Photos open Locked Folder and enable Backup if offered. If you leave it off, items remain only on the device.

How to back up files on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Use File History to an external drive plus OneDrive for cloud. Both are supported and documented by Microsoft.

How to back up a folder to OneDrive
Move it into OneDrive or create a junction if you want to keep the original path. Known Folder protection covers Desktop Documents Pictures automatically.

How to back up a PC to Google Drive
Install Drive for desktop, add Folders from your computer, and choose Mirror if you want a full local copy for faster access.

Download all Google Photos to hard drive
Use Google Takeout for the cleanest full export.

Transfer files from Google Drive to an external hard drive
Use Drive for desktop with Mirror to a folder on the external drive, or simply copy from the mirrored folder to the external drive.

How to download Google Drive to an external hard drive
Change the mirror or cache location in Drive for desktop Advanced settings and point it at the external drive. 

How to download all OneDrive files
Use Advanced settings then Download all files or right click the OneDrive root and choose Always keep on this device.

How to download Google Photos to hard drive
For specific albums select and download from the web. For everything Use Takeout.

When you should pick Folder Lock over plain cloud sync

Encrypt File Locally and sync on Cloud https://www.newsoftwares.net/folderlock/

1. You handle client files or health records and must keep them private even if someone gains account access. Encrypt with Folder Lock first then sync the locker with OneDrive or Dropbox. 
2. You want a single workflow for local external and cloud with one password. A Folder Lock locker is a single encrypted container that you can copy anywhere and it stays encrypted. 
3. You want to keep private photos off your main Photos library. Store them in a Folder Lock locker and back up the locker to Google Drive. If you later enable cloud backup for the Google Photos Locked Folder, choose one method and keep it consistent. 
4. You prefer encryption that you control instead of provider side encryption. Folder Lock runs locally and keeps the key with you.
   

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not rely on a single cloud. Services get disabled or accounts are locked. Always keep a local external copy with File History or a scheduled copy.
Do not postpone your first iPhone or Android backup. Apple confirms that a forgotten passcode means you must erase and start over if you never trusted a computer. Google One backups must be enabled ahead of time for Android.
Do not leave the only copy of your Drive mirror on an external disk that you unplug frequently. Drive for desktop needs the path to remain available.

Short playbooks

Set and forget on a new Windows laptop

1. Sign in to OneDrive and enable Desktop Documents Pictures. 
2. Add your Work and Personal folders to Google Drive for desktop. 
3. Turn on File History to an external SSD. 
4. Create a Folder Lock locker for sensitive material and place it in OneDrive. 

Yearly photo archive

1. Export the entire library with Google Takeout to an external drive every December and label the folder by year. 
2. Keep a second copy of that export on a different external drive at a different location. 

Client deliverables

1. Drop final assets inside a Folder Lock locker. 
2. Place the locker in OneDrive and share only the exported public files, never the locker itself. 

FAQs

1. What is the fastest way to get every OneDrive file offline on a new PC
   Open OneDrive Settings then Advanced settings then choose Download all files. This is the same as right clicking the OneDrive folder and selecting Always keep on this device. 
2. Can I back up my entire Google Drive straight to an external drive
   Yes. Use Drive for desktop and switch My Drive to Mirror, then choose the external drive as the location. Keep the drive connected while the PC is on. 
3. Is Dropbox Backup the same as the normal Dropbox folder
   No. Backup keeps a protected copy of your Desktop Documents and more that you manage from the Backups section on the web. It is separate from your normal sync folder. 
4. Can I newly back up a locked iPhone without the passcode
   No. If the phone is not already trusted on that computer Apple requires you to erase the device, then restore from an existing backup. 
5. Is Folder Lock actually better than just using OneDrive or Google Drive alone
   If privacy is a requirement, yes. Folder Lock encrypts files before they ever touch the cloud. Place the encrypted locker in OneDrive or Google Drive for continuous sync with zero readable data in the cloud. 

You now have a complete and practical system that covers OneDrive Google Drive Dropbox and an external drive, with a clear privacy layer through Folder Lock. Implement the quick steps above for your core machines today, then schedule a five minute monthly check to confirm backups are current and restorable.