Duplicati is a free tool for macOS and Windows that securely backs up your important files. It uploads your data to the cloud service of your choice with strong encryption. Here’s a quick guide to get started.
Backing up your files is crucial to ensure you don’t lose important data. Your documents, photos, and videos could vanish if your computer fails or gets damaged. Ideally, backups should be stored in multiple locations, including an off-site option. This way, your data remains safe even in the event of a disaster, like a fire.
The challenge? Many of us hesitate to pay for a dedicated backup service, especially if we’re already investing in cloud storage. Services like Microsoft 365 Family offer a whopping 6 TB of storage, while Google One’s premium plan provides 2 TB—far more than most people use for everyday needs. So why not utilize some of that excess space for complete computer backups?
Duplicati is a free, open-source tool designed to back up your computer to popular cloud services like Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive. With support for over 20 storage options, it’s likely you already have a perfect backup destination. Best of all, Duplicati encrypts your files before uploading them, ensuring your data remains completely private and inaccessible to the cloud provider.
Getting Started With Duplicati
Duplicati is available for free. The homepage will ask you to sign up for an account, but you don’t need to do that. You can just download the application from the website or GitHub. Installation is straightforward on both Windows and macOS.
After installation, you will notice a new icon in the Windows system tray or the Mac menu bar.
The icon will appear green during an active backup, red if an error occurs, and remain colourless at other times. Clicking the icon opens the application’s configuration page in your default web browser.
When you first launch the application, you’ll be prompted to set a passphrase for remote access. Unless you’re familiar with this feature and plan to manage your backups remotely, you can skip this step. To get started, simply click Add Backup to set up your first backup task.
The process begins with a simple five-step tool to create your backup. In the first step, you’ll need to provide a name and description for your backup. Next, you’ll set up an encryption key. You can either create one manually or use the built-in key generator. Be sure to store this key securely—whether in a password manager or written down—since it’s essential for accessing your backup.
In the third step, you’ll choose a destination for your backup. Use the drop-down menu to select from the supported options, including cloud services or local drives.
Start by selecting a service and specifying a folder name in the Path on Server field. If the folder doesn’t already exist, Duplicati will prompt you to create it. Once done, click Test Connection to ensure everything is set up correctly.
In the following step, decide which data you’d like to back up. Just check the boxes for the folders you want to include. For example, I chose to back up my Documents folder.
You have the option to further customize your backup by adding additional folders or excluding specific subfolders. Once you’re satisfied with your selections, you can move on to configuring the backup schedule. By default, your files will be backed up every day at 1 pm, but you can adjust this timing to fit your preferences.
The final step involves setting the volume size, which dictates the size of the archive files your backup will be split into. It’s generally best to leave this setting as is unless you have a clear understanding of what you’re doing. Additionally, it’s worth reviewing the retention settings for older files. If you don’t change this, your backups could grow substantially over time.
Once everything is set up correctly, your backup will start automatically.
You can create as many backups as needed by repeating this process. Duplicati offers flexibility, allowing you to back up the same files to multiple cloud services or set different backup frequencies for different files. It’s fully customizable to meet your needs.
How to Restore Files from a Duplicati Backup
To restore your files, you will need to use Duplicati again. Start by navigating to the web interface, click on Menu, and then select Restore. You’ll have the option to restore from your previously configured backups or you can guide Duplicati to locate other backup sets if needed.
Next, choose the date from which you wish to restore the files—usually the latest version—and select the specific files you want to recover. Once that’s done, you’ll be asked to choose the destination for your restored files: either the original location or a new one.
Duplicati may take some time to learn, but it’s worth the effort. This tool offers the flexibility to back up your files to any cloud service while ensuring that no unauthorized parties— including your cloud provider—can access your data. It’s highly customizable, allowing you to tailor the backup process to meet your exact needs. And best of all, it’s completely free. While it may not be the ideal solution for everyone, it could be just what you’re looking for.
