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Norton Cloud Backup is a Windows feature available only with some Norton plans. If your subscription includes it, open Norton and go to Security > Cloud Backup > Open, create a backup set, choose the files and folders it should include, and select Create Backup. You choose what to back up; Norton does not automatically include every file on your computer. Check Norton’s setup guide and current system requirements if the feature is not available in your app.
Check that your plan and Windows device are eligible
Norton’s requirements list Cloud Backup for Windows 11 and 10, Windows 8 and 8.1, and Windows 7 SP1 or later. The feature is not included in every Norton plan, so check your Norton account for your subscription’s eligibility before troubleshooting a missing Cloud Backup tile. Norton’s account also shows the storage available to you; capacity varies, and no single amount applies to every plan.
Cloud Backup is not the same as a local backup. A cloud backup stores the selected files in Norton’s cloud; a local backup writes them to a drive you choose, which must be connected and turned on for the backup. You do not need an external drive or USB device to use Cloud Backup. Norton’s Cloud Backup instructions describe both destinations.
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Create a Norton Cloud Backup set
- Open your Norton device-security product on the Windows computer.
- Select Security, then open the Cloud Backup tile and choose Open.
- Sign in with the Norton account associated with your subscription if prompted.
- Open the Cloud Backup tab and use the create or image control to start a new backup set. Depending on your app version, controls may instead be labeled Manage or Manage Backup Sets.
- Add the files and folders you want included, review the selection, and choose Create Backup.
- Allow the initial backup to finish. Norton notes that the first run can take longer while it examines and copies the selected files.
Exact icons and labels can differ across versions; Norton’s current setup guide describes the supported workflow.
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- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Choose what the backup set includes
Use Manage or Manage Files beside a set to add or remove files and folders and review its options. Norton’s guide describes settings for periodically syncing the latest file versions, limiting a set to common file types, and reviewing excluded files. Check the selection rather than assuming that every file type or folder is included.
Sensitive files, notes, and contacts are special categories that are excluded by default unless you enable their detection in the settings Norton describes. Review those options if you expect those items to be backed up. You can also check available cloud storage in the Cloud Backup window; if a backup does not complete, verify that the computer is online and that enough capacity remains.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Restore a backup set or download one file
Restore files through the Norton app
- Open Security > Cloud Backup.
- Select the source location, either Cloud Backup or Local backups, then choose the backup set.
- Select Restore and choose the files or folders you want to retrieve.
- Choose the original location or select another destination folder, then start the restore.
Restore time depends on how many files you select and their size. If restoring to a new device, check the destination afterward: Norton says the old folder structure may not be reproduced exactly, so you may need to organize the files. See Norton’s file restore instructions.
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- Sign in to the My Norton account portal.
- Open the Cloud Backup tile and select View Backup Sets.
- Choose the backup set, locate the file using search or filters, and select Download.
This portal method is for downloading a single file from a cloud backup set; Norton’s restore guide covers the steps.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Fix a backup set that is missing
- Sign out of the Norton app, then sign back in with the same Norton account used to configure the backup set.
- In your Norton account portal, confirm that the subscription is active and that the original device is listed.
- Sign back into the app, open Cloud Backup, and wait a few minutes for the set to appear.
These are Norton’s recommended checks for a missing saved set; see its troubleshooting instructions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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