Recommended Free Tools
If your drive shows a SMART warning or is behaving unreliably, copy your important files to a separate destination as soon as possible. Then check that the copy is usable before replacing the drive. A warning does not give a reliable countdown to failure, so do not wait for a particular deadline.
What to do when a drive warns that it may fail
Treat a SMART warning as urgent. Western Digital says SMART failures and errors mean a drive is at risk and advises backing up to another drive as fast as possible (Western Digital Support). ASUS likewise advises backing up and replacing a drive reporting “SMART Status BAD,” warning that continued use may result in data loss (ASUS Support).
First identify which drive is reporting the warning, especially if the computer has more than one. Prioritize files that would be difficult or impossible to recreate: personal documents, photos, current projects, and other essential data. Copy them to a destination separate from the failing drive. A second folder or partition on that same drive is not a protective backup.
Choose a separate backup destination
| Destination | Best fit | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| External drive or SSD | Local copying, large files, or a situation with limited internet | Connect it to the computer and confirm the backup is stored on it, not on the failing drive. |
| Network storage | A separate storage device available on your home or work network | Confirm the destination is separate from the drive at risk and accessible for checking or restoring files. |
| Cloud storage | Selected files you can upload and later access through your account | Internet is required; large files or many files can take longer to upload and may cost more to store. Confirm uploads are complete. |
Microsoft notes that external or network storage can suit people without internet access or with many or large files, while cloud backup needs an internet connection (Microsoft: Choose a backup solution in Windows). Choose based on the amount of data, connection available, and how you will access the copy.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
Back up files on Windows
File History: personal files to external or network storage
File History periodically saves versions of personal files to an external drive or network location. Connect or select the separate destination, enable File History in Windows backup settings, and check that the folders you need are included. Exact settings labels can vary across Windows versions.
Windows Backup: selected data through OneDrive
Windows Backup can sync selected folders and other items through OneDrive using a Microsoft account. It is not the same setup as File History, so check which folders and items are selected and wait for syncing to finish before relying on the online copy.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
Do not mistake a Recovery Drive for a file backup
A Windows Recovery Drive is intended for system recovery, not saving your personal files. Microsoft states, “The Recovery Drive doesn’t include your personal files.” Use File History, Windows Backup, or another suitable method to copy personal data before replacing the disk (Microsoft: Backup, restore, and recovery in Windows).
Back up files on a Mac
Time Machine to external storage
Time Machine is macOS’s built-in backup feature and can use a USB drive or other storage device. Connect a separate destination, set it up for Time Machine, and allow the backup to complete. Check that the backup can be browsed and includes the files you need.
iCloud Drive for selected files
iCloud Drive stores files selected for iCloud in your iCloud account. Check which folders are enabled and make sure the files have finished uploading; this is selected-file storage and synchronization, not automatically a complete backup of everything on the Mac. iCloud storage uses space in your iCloud plan.
Manual copy to an external device
You can also drag important files to an external storage device. Organize the copy so you can find files later, and confirm that files open from the destination rather than only from the original drive. Apple documents Time Machine, iCloud Drive, and manual copying as Mac backup options (Apple: How to back up your Mac).
Rank #4
Check the backup before replacing the drive
Do not treat a copy operation or sync icon as proof that everything you need is safe. Verify the destination before proceeding:
- Browse the external drive, network location, or cloud account and confirm the expected folders and files are present.
- Open a few representative files from the destination, such as a document, image, or project file.
- If you used backup software, confirm it reports completion and that its browse or restore view can see the expected files.
- For cloud storage, confirm uploads have finished and the files are accessible through your account.
If copying fails or the drive becomes inaccessible
Stop treating repeated ordinary copy attempts or diagnostic tests as a safe recovery plan. A drive that is mechanically or electronically failing may become less accessible, and there is no universal do-it-yourself procedure established for every failure. If the data is valuable and a normal copy cannot be made, consider qualified data-recovery assistance before taking further steps.
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Replace the drive after the data is secured
Once you have verified the copy, arrange prompt replacement rather than continuing to rely on a drive that has reported a serious warning. The compatible replacement depends on the computer model and supported drive interface and form factor; the warning alone does not identify a suitable part. Check the computer or drive manufacturer’s specifications before buying or installing a replacement. SMART attribute meanings and thresholds vary by manufacturer, and a warning does not establish exactly when a drive will stop working.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
