How to follow the 3-2-1 file storage method on a Windows Computer.

How to follow the 3-2-1 file storage method on a Windows Computer.

1. Make sure you have a computer with a big enough main drive for all your files, as well as a second hard drive that’s disconnectable (i.e. external) and a cloud storage service, also big enough for all your files.
   
2. Setup your cloud storage so that you have a copy of all your files both on your computer as well as in the cloud.
   
3. This is optional, but you can setup a folder called “users” on your second hard drive with a folder named the same as your personal user fold and another named the same as your cloud storage folder. Then setup permissions on all those folders and the main drive to match those on your computer. That way it can be harder for other people to see your files, but you can still access them without a problem.
   
4. Download and install the SyncToy app. With your second hard drive connected, set up the SyncToy app to Echo your cloud storage folder. Note that trying to sync the folder that the cloud storage folder is in might not work. I’ve found that syncing only the cloud storage folder directly works.
   
5. Once synced now you can disconnect the second hard drive.

1.

When you go to back up your files onto your hard drive in the future, make sure that:

1. You have disconnected from the internet before connecting your second hard drive to your computer.
   
2. Also make sure that you don’t have any ransomware on your computer before connecting your hard drive. (Check a few files to make sure they are normal).
   
3. Now you can connect your hard drive. Make sure it is the same drive letter as when you set up your back up the first time in SyncToy.
   
4. After that, now you can sync your files with SyncToy.