Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Methods to Transfer Data from Google Drive to an External Hard Drive
  • Using Google Takeout
  • Using Browser-based Google Drive
  • Via the Google Drive App
  • Using Sysinfo Google Drive Migrator
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

Did you know that Google Drive only offers 15GB of free storage? For many of us, this amount of space can quickly be used up by photos, videos, documents, and other essential data. But don’t worry, there’s a practical solution — transferring your Google Drive files to an external hard drive. Not only does this free up space in your Google Drive, but it also provides an added layer of security for your important files. Let’s explore how to do this.

Methods to Transfer Data from Google Drive to an External Hard Drive

Before starting, ensure your external hard drive is correctly connected to your computer. Then, you can employ any of the following methods to move your Google Drive data.

Using Google Takeout

This tool allows you to download items such as Google Drive data and Google Photos onto local drives. Here are the steps:

1. Open Google Takeout and select only the “Drive” option.
2. Click “Next Step” at the bottom of the page.
3. Define the file type, frequency, and destination as per your needs.
4. Click on “Create Export.”
5. You’ll receive an email from Google Takeout with a link to download your Google Drive files.
6. Click “Download your Files.”
7. The data will be imported via Google Takeout.
8. Unzip the files/folders and drag and drop them onto the external hard drive.

It’s worth noting that you can only download 2-3 archives or up to 50GB per day.

Using Browser-based Google Drive

You can also backup files straight from your browser-based Google Drive. Follow these steps:

1. Open Google Drive in your browser and log in.
2. Right-click on the files/folders you want to back up.
3. Click on “Download.”
4. Downloaded files will go to your PC’s “Downloads” folder or set location.
5. Finally, move all the downloaded data to the external hard drive.

Remember, a consistent internet connection is required for this method.

Via the Google Drive App

If you have the app installed on your computer, you can use it to transfer files to your hard drive. Here’s the procedure:

1. Open the Google Drive disk on your computer.
2. Select the files you want to move.
3. Drag and drop them onto the external hard drive.

Using Sysinfo Google Drive Migrator

This handy tool is capable of backing up terabytes of data onto hard drives. Ensure your hard drive has enough space before starting.

Steps:

1. Launch Sysinfo Google Drive Migrator and authenticate your Gmail or G Drive login.
2. Select the items for backup; you can specify file extensions too.
3. Choose “Local Drive” for the destination.
4. Specify your external hard drive’s path as the save location.
5. Click “Next”, and all your G Drive data will be transferred to the hard drive.

Conclusion

Backing up Google Drive to an external hard drive becomes a straightforward task with these methods. Choose a suitable method based on the size of the data to be transferred. For small amounts of data, using Google Drive Web, App, or Google Takeout are great choices. However, for larger amounts (GBs or TBs), consider using automated tools like Sysinfo Google Drive Migrator as it’s time-efficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I backup my Google Drive to an external hard drive? A: Use Sysinfo Google Drive Migration Tool — launch it, authenticate G Drive login, select files/folders, set destination as Local Drive, and backup.

Q: Is it safe to use the Google Drive Migrator for Backup? A: Yes, it’s safe and reliable as it supports all Windows versions and assures zero data loss during migration.