How to Back Up OneDrive and SharePoint Files to a Local Hard Drive
Using Microsoft SharePoint for work files and Microsoft OneDrive for personal storage is a sensible setup. You get flexibility, easy access from anywhere, and the reassurance that your data is stored securely in Microsoft’s cloud.
However, cloud storage alone is not a true backup. Accidental deletions, sync errors, account lockouts, ransomware, or permission issues can still cause data loss. Keeping an offline copy on a local or external hard drive adds an important extra layer of protection.
One free tool that works well for this purpose is Cyberduck.
Why Cyberduck is a good choice
Cyberduck is a free, open-source file transfer client that supports a wide range of online services, including:
- OneDrive
- SharePoint
- FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and others
It does not require a subscription, does not impose file-size limits, and allows you to manually synchronize cloud files to your computer whenever you choose.
This makes it ideal for:
- Occasional manual backups
- Syncing to an external hard drive
- Creating an offline snapshot of important data
Preparing before you start
Before connecting Cyberduck, it helps to plan:
- Decide where your backups will live, for example:
- D:\Backups\OneDrive
- E:\ExternalBackup\SharePoint
- If possible, use an external hard drive that you only connect during backups. This reduces the risk of ransomware encrypting your backups.
- Make sure you have access rights to the SharePoint sites and libraries you want to back up.
Step-by-step: Backing up OneDrive with Cyberduck
1. Install and launch Cyberduck
- Download Cyberduck from its official website.
- Open the application.
2. Open a new connection
- Click Open Connection.
- In the protocol dropdown (usually showing FTP by default), scroll down and select Microsoft OneDrive.
- Click Connect.
3. Sign in to OneDrive
- A browser window opens.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account.
- Approve access so Cyberduck can read your OneDrive files.
Once authentication completes, Cyberduck opens a new window showing the top-level directory of your OneDrive storage.
Step-by-step: Synchronizing OneDrive files to your PC
4. Start the sync
- Click the Action button or right-click inside the OneDrive window.
- Choose Synchronize.
- Select the destination folder on your computer or external hard drive.
- Click OK.
5. Choose sync direction
- When prompted for the Mirror option, select Download.
- This ensures files are copied from the cloud to your PC, not the other way around.
- Click Continue.
6. Monitor progress
- A Transfers window opens showing progress, file counts, and transfer speed.
- Large OneDrive accounts may take some time on the first run.
Once finished, you’ll have a local copy of your OneDrive files.
Save time next time with bookmarks
While the transfer runs, do this:
- Open the Bookmarks menu in Cyberduck.
- Select New Bookmark.
- Save your OneDrive connection.
This allows you to reconnect and re-run backups with just a few clicks in the future.
Backing up SharePoint sites and libraries
After completing your OneDrive backup, you can repeat the process for SharePoint.
1. Connect to SharePoint
- Click Open Connection again.
- Select Microsoft SharePoint from the protocol list.
- Click Connect and sign in.
2. Browse to the right location
- Navigate through your SharePoint sites.
- Open the document library or folder you want to back up.
3. Synchronize to your hard drive
- Right-click the library or folder.
- Choose Synchronize.
- Select a destination folder (for example, E:\Backups\SharePoint\Projects).
- Choose Download as the mirror direction.
- Start the transfer.
You can repeat this for each SharePoint site or library you want to protect.
Best practices for safe backups
- Run backups periodically, such as weekly or monthly.
- Keep backups on an external drive that is disconnected when not in use.
- Occasionally open a few backed-up files to confirm they are readable.
- Avoid bidirectional sync for backups. Download-only is safer.
Remember: cloud sync is not the same as a backup. Cyberduck gives you control over when and how your offline copies are created.
Summary
If you want a free, reliable way to back up OneDrive and SharePoint files to a local or external hard drive, Cyberduck is a strong choice. It’s simple to set up, works with Microsoft cloud services, and gives you peace of mind that your data exists outside the cloud.
