Can I backup a network drive to OneDrive?

“I have been using the HP MediaSmart HomeServer for a few years as my network file server. I have been working with SkyDrive (now OneDrive), and am trying to use OneDrive as my file server. How can I backup network drive to OneDrive? Thanks in advance!”

Why Backup network drive to OneDrive?

A network drive is a storage device on a local access network (LAN) that can be accessed through a computer. It can provide data storage and data access services to users on the same network without taking up local disk space. However, multiple people accessing a network drive may easily cause files to be lost.

Backing up network share to OneDrive brings you a lot of conveniences, such as:

• Protect network drive files - You can access backup files in the event of a network failure or your network drive being infected with a virus.
• View files easily - By backing up files on network drives to OneDrive, you can access data through mobile devices such as phones and tablets, not just computers.
• Manage files efficiently - Data backups on OneDrive can be edited, modified, or shared with another user via a link easily.

How to backup network drive to OneDrive in 3 ways

Here, we have collected three methods to make OneDrive backup network drive, using the OneDrive webpage, via a symbolic link, and with the help of a third-party tool. Read on and choose the method that's best for you.

Way 1. Backup network drive to OneDrive with OneDrive website

If you want to back up individual network drive files to OneDrive, manual uploads are the easiest way. However, we do not recommend you use this method to back up multiple files or folders, as this may cause OneDrive sync stuck. Also, you need to upload files repeatedly, which is inconvenient when they are updated or modified. Follow the steps below to backup network folder to OneDrive:

Step 1. Navigate to the OneDrive website.

Step 2. Click on the Upload button on the top, and select Files or Folder.

Step 3. Find the network drive, and choose the items you wish to backup, and click Open. Then, they will be backed up to OneDrive.

Way 2. Backup network drive with OneDrive using symbolic link

Symbolic link is a file that links to another file or directory using its path. With a symbolic link, you can backup any folder to OneDrive or link a network drive to OneDrive for backup. Symbolic link is executed by mklink command, and the specific command is mklink /D "path to symlink" "path to original folder".

Notes:✎...

Please install the OneDrive desktop application on your computer, and create a folder in OneDrive to store network drive files, like creating a folder named “Data”. Then, the path of the folder is C:\OneDrive\Data.

Identify the path of the folders/files on your network drive you want to sync, like E: \data (here E: is the drive letter mapped to your NAS).

Then, the specific mklink command line is mklink /D data E: \data.

Now, you can backup synology nas to OneDrive with the following guide:

Step 1. Type “cmd” in the Windows search box, and choose Run as administrator.

Step 2. Enter the mklink command to mklink your network drive to OneDrive.

This essentially creates a fake subfolder called C:\OneDrive\Data that actually points to E:\Data on the network, which helps to let OneDrive sync network drive folder like a normal folder. Needless to say, this method may be too complicated to operate for most people. If you are looking for a simpler method, why not try the third method?

Way 3. Backup network drive to OneDrive via professional backup software

With professional backup software like AOMEI Backupper Standard, you can easily and quickly backup network drives to OneDrive. You can automatically back up drives by setting up scheduled backups, eliminating the need for repeated manual operation. This software also supports you to backup network drives to Google Drive, Dropbox and other cloud storage servers.

Next, you can go on with the easy instruction below to know how to backup network drive to OneDrive with simple clicks.

Step 1. Download and launch AOMEI Backupper Standard. If you have not installed and run OneDrive on your computer, sign in to it as well.

Step 2. Select Backup on the left menu, and choose File Backup.

Step 3. Tap on Add Folder or Add File, and select Share/NAS.

Step 4. Click Add Share or Nas Devices and input the Display Name, IP address (Network Path), username and password of your network device. Then, add the folders or files to your network drive for backup.

Step 5. Hit the inverted triangle on the destination area and choose Select a cloud drive, then pick OneDrive. Finally, click Start Backup.

Easiest way to backup local drive to OneDrive

In addition to creating network drive backups, backing up local drives is also essential. Data on local hard disks is easily lost due to system crashes, virus invasions, etc. How to backup local drive to OneDrive? We strongly recommend you use CBackup.

This is a free cloud backup service that can help you back up your hard drive or even your entire computer to OneDrive for free. For example, you can backup D drive to OneDrive, as well as external hard drive.

Step 1. Download, install and launch CBackup. Create a CBackup account and sign in.

Step 2. Click Storage, then choose OneDrive, and click Authorize Now to connect with your OneDrive account.

Step 3. Click on Backup and choose Backup PC to Public Cloud button to create a new backup task.

Step 4. Select the local disks or external drives that you want to back up to OneDrive. And choose OneDrive as the backup destination. Then, click Start Backup to backup local drive to OneDrive easily.

If you want to perform auto backups to OneDrive, just click Settings and enable a scheduled backup before starting a task.

Conclusion

You have learned 3 solutions to backup network drive to OneDrive. Among them, using AOMEI Backupper Standard can help you make things much easier.

If you want to backup local drive or computer to OneDrive, CBackup can do you a favor. You can also utilize this software to get unlimited OneDrive storage for free and backup OneDrive to other clouds for security.