“Your laptop storage is full.” We all have gotten this notification at least once in our lifetime. Most laptops come with 512 GB or 1 TB of space. If you are someone who likes to keep a lot of movies, videos or large software on your laptop then soon your laptop storage will be full.
The problem becomes more serious when you can’t delete these files because they are useful. But you need disk space in your system too. What should you do in this case? The solution is cloud options like iCloud, Google Drive, etc.
You can easily keep these important files on the cloud and delete them from your local system. This will not only free up space from your local system but will also keep those files accessible from all devices.
Below in this blog, we will share 5 reliable cloud backup options. You can use them when your hard drive is almost full. So, let’s get started.
Option #1: Google Drive
I think everybody knows about Google Drive. It is mostly used by small businesses who like to keep their important files on the cloud.
Google is famous for its free 15 GB of cloud space to every user. You just need a free Gmail ID and you will get 15 GB of free storage. You can upgrade it up to 1 TB but that’s paid.
The best thing about Google Drive is, it allows you to access your files from any device you use. You can also do real time document editing and the document will be updated in all systems.
It has an “Upload” feature where you can upload your local system’s files. So, you can easily upload those files on Google Drive that are taking up too much space on your system. This will help you free up your hard drive space.
Option #2: The Native Apple Ecosystem
If you are an Apple user, you don’t need to look around for other cloud options. Apple iCloud is the best option for you. iCloud has an auto-sync feature. It can automatically sync files on your system so that you can access them from Apple devices easily.
Sometimes, you might face issues where files are not syncing properly. In that case, you can force iCloud sync on Mac so your Mac files will be accessible from other Apple devices like iPhone and iPad.
So, you can use iCloud confidently if you are an Apple person. You can easily transfer large files from your local system to iCloud so your local system’s hard drive will be free.
Option #3: Dropbox
Dropbox is mostly popular among YouTubers and content creators. A lot of creators use Dropbox for large media transfers and backups. You can use it for your personal use too.
I personally use the free plan of Dropbox which offers 2 GB of space. This is enough for small file backups. It also provides syncing across up to 3 devices. If you go with the premium plan, it may allow syncing across more devices.
If you are someone who doesn’t want to pay for the subscription but still wants premium features, I have good news for you. You can recommend Dropbox to your family and friends & Dropbox will provide you premium features for free as a referral reward.
Option #4: Microsoft OneDrive
Microsoft OneDrive is mainly popular among Windows users. People who work in a hybrid environment can use it. For example, Mac at work and Windows at home, you can still use Microsoft OneDrive. It will be very useful for you.
It has one great feature called “Files On-Demand”. This helps you see files without taking up any space on your local hard drive. But if you open that file, it will consume storage. This is one added advantage with Microsoft OneDrive.
Now, coming to the main point of backup. Yes, it will be a great cloud backup option for you especially if you are a Windows user.
Option #5: Backblaze
If you are looking for a real cloud backup option whose only purpose is backup then Backblaze is the one for you. Unlike iCloud and Google Drive, it does not provide any other collaborative tools like Google drive, etc.
Backblaze is created only for the purpose of backups for small businesses and individuals. Thousands of users use it for daily system backups. You can use it too and free up your hard drive space.
Backblaze offers advanced features unlike other tools which allow you to back up even your whole hard drive or computer in one go. So, if the above tools do not meet your backup requirement then Backblaze will definitely fulfill your needs.
Conclusion
Relying completely on your laptop’s hard drive is the fastest way to get a sluggish laptop. If you want to increase the lifespan of your laptop then start transferring large files to the cloud and keep your laptop’s hard drive free.
This will not only increase the laptop’s speed but also your productivity levels. So, use whichever backup tool you like from the above options.
If you are an Apple user, go with iCloud, and if you are a Microsoft user, go with OneDrive. If you are a creative person like a YouTuber or content creator then try Dropbox. If you want a full fledged cloud backup tool without any other features then use Backblaze without any doubt.
