You can make a spare copy of a photo folder using File Explorer, then open the copied photos to check them. Your originals stay on the computer.
Start with one small folder. I would rather see you finish that comfortably than tackle every photograph today.
What you need
A Windows 11 computer, a working portable USB drive with enough free space, and a small folder of photos already saved on the computer. File Explorer is the Windows app for finding files and folders. No extra software or paid account is needed.
This guide copies ordinary photo files. Pictures visible only on a phone or an online photo website need downloading first.
1. Find one folder to copy
Hold the Windows key and press E to open File Explorer. Release both keys. Click Pictures on the left and double-click a folder you recognise.
Open a couple of photos to confirm you have the right folder. Close the photo viewer afterwards. If your pictures are elsewhere, open that known location instead.
For example, choose a folder called 2025 Christmas. You do not need to rename or reorganise it.
2. Connect and identify the portable drive
Plug the drive into the computer. In File Explorer, click This PC on the left. Find the drive under Devices and drives and note its name and letter, such as Photo drive (E:). Yours may have a different letter.
Stop if Windows asks to format or erase the drive. That can remove files already on it. This task needs a drive you can open normally.
Double-click the drive. Right-click an empty area, choose New, then Folder. Name it Photo copy 2026-09-09, using today’s date, and press Enter. Double-click to open it.
3. Copy the photo folder
Return to Pictures and click your chosen folder once. Hold Ctrl and press C, then release both keys. This means Copy; the folder may appear unchanged.
Go back through This PC, open your portable drive, then open the new dated folder. Hold Ctrl and press V to paste the copy there.
Use Copy, keeping the originals where they are. Wait until copying finishes before unplugging anything. If Windows asks to replace existing files, cancel that copy and use a new, empty dated folder.
4. Open photos from the drive
Inside the portable drive’s dated folder, open the copied photo folder. Double-click two or three familiar photos. Check that each opens clearly and shows the picture you expected.
If the folder contains a video, play it and move towards the end. Check the File Explorer address bar: you should be browsing the portable drive, not Pictures on the computer.
This checks those files. When copying a larger collection later, check examples from each important folder too.
5. Finish and disconnect safely
Write down the folder copied, the drive name, today’s date and which photos opened. A note on paper is fine.
Close photos and drive windows. Use Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media near the clock, select your drive and wait for Windows to say it is safe to remove. Then unplug it.
Check it worked
Your original folder remains on the computer. The dated folder on the portable drive contains copies you have opened. You now have a spare copy of that folder as it was today; new photos will need another backup.
If you get stuck
A blue cloud appears beside a OneDrive photo: it may be stored online only. While connected to the internet, right-click its folder and choose Always keep on this device. Wait for the solid green circle with a white tick before copying. Downloading needs free space on the computer.
Not enough space: try a smaller folder or a drive with more free space. Do not delete originals to make this copy fit.
The drive is still in use: close the photo viewer and try ejecting again. Do not pull it out while files are being written.
Next step
Set up automatic photo copies with File History.
Sources and date checked
Researched against Microsoft help on 9 September 2026. I have not yet tested these steps on a Windows PC for this guide.
Microsoft: copying files to an external drive. Windows keyboard shortcuts. OneDrive files kept on your device.