How can I quickly and easily back up files to a QNAP NAS?

Backup solutions have become a core necessity for almost every computer user, especially for professionals, who often resort to different storage device services such as QNAP NAS.

The problem comes when users need to perform backups of their data. In this article, we'll show you how to backup your files to a QNAP NAS in different ways.

Before we proceed, it's best to establish why you need to create a NAS backup. Let's list down some points:

• QNAP NAS is managed by multiple users, so ensuring secure data backup is crucial.
• It helps protect your data from potential computer malfunctions or failures.

Now, let's proceed with setting up the QNAP NAS service and learn about the data backup process.

How to Set Up QNAP NAS Before Backing Up

Before performing NAS backup, you simply need to set up your QNAP NAS carefully. This will help you avoid any unexpected situations or errors during the installation and afterward. If you are not sure how to use this system to set up a backup, read this section carefully.

Step 1: Turn on the QNAP NAS, but do not install any system disks.

Step 2: Download and install QNAS from its official website. It will automatically detect your NAS and prompt you to proceed.

Step 3. Next, insert the hard drive and select the “Factory Settings” or “Initialize System” option from the on-screen menu.

Step 4. Enter a username and password on the new screen, then click “Next.”

Step 5: Choose your time format on the next screen.

Step 6. Enter the IP address of your QNAP.

Step 7. Follow the on-screen instructions. When you reach the last page of the custom settings, tap Apply.

Please follow the steps we share carefully, or you may not install your QNAP NAS correctly. This can lead to issues such as incorrect real-time backups and various technical problems.

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Backup Files to QNAP NAS with 3 Effective Methods

By following the steps above, you should have set up network-attached storage for your device. Now it's time to learn how to back up files to QNAP NAS using different methods. We share three effective ways to accomplish this task.

Method 1: Save Files to QNAP Using Todo Backup Tool

Whether you want to backup shared folders on your Qnap NAS or entire disks, you will find to be the best tool for the job. It is one of the most advanced backup software solutions available on the Internet.

With this tool, you can easily create data image backups for your QNAP NAS. In its advanced version, it allows you to schedule backups and perform many other advanced functions. Let's introduce you to some key features and give you a brief overview.

Please follow the steps below to easily back up your files and folders to a NAS using the Todo Backup tool:

Step 1: When you first use Todo Backup to back up your files, click “Create Backup” on the main screen, then click the big question mark to choose what you want to back up.

Step 2. Since you want to back up files and folders on your computer, choose the "Files" backup mode so you can pick out photos, videos, documents, and all sorts of other file types to back up.

Step 3: Navigate to the files, folders, or directories you want to back up, select them all, and click OK.

Step 4: You'll now need to choose a location to save your backup.

Step 5: Todo Backup allows users to save their backup files to any convenient device, such as a local hard drive, external USB drive, SD card, network drive, or NAS drive, as well as to the brand's proprietary cloud drive. We recommend saving important backups to a cloud drive for easier, more flexible, and secure access.

To use Tool Cloud, you simply register and log in with your email address.

Step 6: If you wish to set up an automatic and intelligent backup schedule for your next file backup task, proceed with the Options settings. Here, you can encrypt your sensitive file backups, compress the backup image size, or customize the backup scheme to specify when the software should begin the next backup.

Create an advanced and automated backup task right here.

Step 7. Click "Backup Now" to start the backup process. When finished, the backed-up file will appear as a card in the left pane.

Method 2: Back Up Your Files to QNAP NAS Using File History

Windows operating systems come with a built-in feature that lets you perform a file backup without needing any third-party tools. Many users are not aware of this feature called File History. In this section, we will show you how to back up your files to a QNAP NAS using the File History feature.

Step 1: Open Backup in Windows 10 by going to Settings > Update & Security > Backup.

Step 2. Click on More options under Add drive.

Step 3: Click on View advanced settings in the new window.

Step 4: Click the Choose Network Location option.

Step 5: If you're setting this up for the first time, click Add Network Location.

Step 6 Enter your NAS's IP address, then choose the folder you want to use as the network location. When you're done, click OK.

Select the folder as your network location

Once you complete these steps, the File History feature will be enabled on Windows 10, and you can perform different actions from its advanced settings for scheduled file backups.

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Method 3: Back Up Windows 10 to QNAP NAS with Backup and Restore

The Backup and Restore feature was introduced in Windows 7, and it's still available in Windows 10 and Windows 11. With this option, you can create a copy of your system on a specific network location, like a NAS.

Whenever your system runs into issues, you can restore it to a state where it was working fine. If you're unsure how to use this built-in option to back up your files to the NAS, follow these steps.

Step 1. Access the Backup & Reset option, as described in the previous step. Tap on Back up my data on the right side of the screen.

Click Backup to set up backup.

Step 3: Type the IP address of your NAS into the text field under Network Location.

Step 4: Type your username and password, then click OK. Click Next to continue.

Step 5: On the Backup Overview screen, tap Change schedule to set it as desired.

By following these steps, you can protect your data on the network using built-in Windows 10 features. The only thing you need to be mindful of is the network location, as if you don't select the correct one, you might not be able to find your data.

Final Judgment

By reading through this guide, you should now be familiar with the different methods of backing up data. After learning how to backup files to a QNAP NAS, you might be ready to tackle this task. Undoubtedly, these methods are all effective and worth following.

However, we recommend using a more advanced tool like Todo Backup, which includes cloud storage so you won't lose any files or folders. With the built-in Windows tool, you might lose recent files if you didn't back up.

Frequently Asked Questions about Backing Up Files to a QNAP NAS

How do I set up backup on a QNAP?

Creating a QNAP backup to the desired network is straightforward, let's go through some steps you can follow:

1. Navigate to the Backup and Restore option.
2. Click on Create New Backup Task.
3. Select your desired Network destination for backup.
4. Press the Next button.
5. Choose the Storage location.
6. Click OK to complete the task.

2. Can I connect QNAP NAS directly to my computer?

Yes, you can directly connect your QNAP NAS to your computer using an Ethernet cable.

How do I access QNAP NAS from a computer?

To access your QNAP NAS from a computer, make sure that the computer is connected to the same network as the NAS. If confirmed, follow these steps:

1. Open a web browser. 2. Type in the IP address of your NAS in the address bar. 3. Enter your username and password on the new page that appears on the screen. 4. Click the Log In button to begin using the system.