Faulty update — a system that won't restart after an update
The reality
If your data only exists in one place, it is not safe.
A backup is not optional — it's insurance. And like all insurance, you only regret not having it when you need it most.
📐 The Golden Rule: 3-2-1
IT professionals rely on a proven rule to guarantee data resilience:
3
Copies of your data
Original + 2 separate backups
2
Different media
Local drive, NAS, cloud, USB stick…
1
Off-site copy
Stored elsewhere, disconnected from the network
💻 Backing Up Your PC
Backing up a computer means creating a complete disk image or regularly copying important files to a safe medium.
Macrium Reflect — Our Recommendation
A professional and reliable solution for creating complete disk images of your PC. It allows you to fully restore a failed system, even onto a brand-new drive.
Windows Backup & Restore — built into Windows, simple but limited
Veeam Agent — very powerful, enterprise-oriented
Clonezilla — free, command-line, for advanced users
Acronis Cyber Protect — comprehensive with built-in anti-ransomware
📧 Backing Up Your Emails
Your inbox often contains contracts, invoices, professional exchanges and personal memories. Yet few people think to archive them offline.
A hacked account, a provider shutting down or an accidental deletion — and your entire email history is gone forever.
MailStore Home — Free and Essential
A free application that locally archives all your emails from Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo or any IMAP/POP3 server. You keep an offline copy that is independent of your email provider.
Cloud services add a layer of protection by storing your data on remote servers, safe from theft, fire and local disasters.
Backblaze — unlimited backup at a very competitive price
Carbonite — established, reliable, with express restore options
IDrive — back up multiple devices with a single account
Google Drive / OneDrive / Dropbox — handy for sync, but not true backup
⚠️ Warning: synchronisation (OneDrive, Dropbox) is NOT a backup. If a file is deleted or encrypted on your PC, the change propagates to the cloud. Use a dedicated backup service with version history instead.
🎯 The Recommended Strategy
Here is a robust, accessible and affordable backup architecture for an individual or freelancer:
Weekly disk image with Macrium Reflect to an external USB drive
Drive rotation: one drive connected for automatic backups, one disconnected and stored safely, swapped every week
Monthly email archive with MailStore Home
NAS (optional but recommended) for intermediate backups and network access
Cloud as a last resort in the event of a major on-site disaster
Need Help Getting Started?
Setting up these tools can feel daunting. I offer personalised assistance to install Macrium Reflect, configure MailStore Home, set up your drive rotation or install your NAS.
Don't let technology stand in the way of your peace of mind.