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How to Backup hard drive to an external dvd player on a laptop

Lisa Nonnweiler 0 Reputation points
2026-02-06T17:51:46.94+00:00

How do I do an external dvd backup of my C/hard drive? I have to purchase an external dvd player/writer as my "File History" will not let do backups due to "no Drives" even when I attempt a usb backup; it does not always work/sometimes I try to erase the usb stick and reuse. My problem is when I have a PC crash etc. I would like an external "disk" backup! I have a HP intel Pentium Silver Laptop and what type of DVD disk do I need? I am not that pc smart and want to have the correct disk for "external backups" D-RW or which one for this purpose. thank you

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  1. Craig Long 17,880 Reputation points
    2026-02-06T19:15:14.0266667+00:00

    Standard DVDs only hold about 4GB of data. That probably will not work for you.

    Microsoft 365 Basic cloud storage costs only $1.99 per month and gives you 100GB of storage. That is so much better in my opinion.

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/onedrive-plans-and-pricing

    If you don't want to use cloud storage, an external hard drive will work great as well.

    To keep your files doubly safe, I suggest using both cloud storage and an external drive.

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  2. Ivan B 111.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-02-06T19:14:24.0733333+00:00

    Hi,

    Well, to be honest, it would be good to back up to an external hard drive. You can use Macrium Reflex to create a copy of your C drive and save it as a file, or create a system image using Backup & Restore (Windows 7), which has the option of being a DVD, external hard drive, or network drive.

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4376853/(article)-how-to-create-a-system-image-in-windows

    Regarding the DVD burner, it depends on the laptop model. You can buy a USB burner that reads CDs/DVD-RWs or Blu-rays, but it's more expensive. However, you can use Blu-ray DVDs, which have a capacity of 25 GB compared to 4.7 GB DVDs.

    If you want more information, I can provide it if you wish.

    Thank you

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  3. AI answer

    2026-02-06T17:52:05.29+00:00

    To back up your hard drive to an external DVD player/writer, you will need to follow these general steps:

    1. Purchase an External DVD Writer: Make sure to buy a compatible external DVD writer for your laptop. Most modern laptops support USB DVD writers.
    2. Choose the Right DVD Discs: For backups, you can use either DVD-R or DVD-RW discs.
      • DVD-R: These are write-once discs, meaning you can only write data to them once. They are good for permanent backups.
      • DVD-RW: These are rewritable discs, which means you can erase and reuse them multiple times. They are useful if you want to update your backups frequently.
    3. Backup Software: You will need backup software to create a backup of your hard drive. Windows has built-in backup options, but you may also consider third-party software that allows you to select specific files or folders to back up.
    4. Connect the DVD Writer: Plug the external DVD writer into your laptop via USB.
    5. Create a Backup: Use the backup software to select the files or folders you want to back up. When prompted for the destination, choose the external DVD writer. Insert a blank DVD when prompted.
    6. Follow the Prompts: The software will guide you through the process of writing the backup to the DVD. Make sure to follow any prompts to finalize the disc if necessary.
    7. Verify the Backup: After the backup is complete, it’s a good practice to check that the files are accessible on the DVD.

    By following these steps, you can create a backup of your hard drive on an external DVD writer, ensuring that your data is safe in case of a PC crash.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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