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How do I Backup My Gmail Emails to an External Hard Drive?

Marko Perez ~ Published: 04-03-2022 ~ Backup ~ 5 Minutes Reading

I have seen on the internet that many users are looking for a way to backup Gmail emails to an external hard drive.

So I decided to write this blog to provide you with amazing and free techniques to backup my Gmail account to an external hard drive.

We all know that Gmail is a free service provided by Google. That’s why email sharing is popular in our daily lives. All email and important information is saved in our email client. But have you ever wondered what would happen if your email client got corrupted or crashed? What are you going to do at that time? Nothing. Because at that point, you will have no other option.

Hence, keeping a backup is the best option to avoid such issues. Many users know how to backup Gmail emails to an external hard drive, but no one knows the right way.

In this blog, we talk about how to backup your Gmail account to a hard drive and then learn several manual methods to backup your Gmail account. We have also mentioned the solution suggested by the expert.

A manual method to Backup Gmail Email to an External Hard Drive

In the below section, we will show you multiple free manual methods to backup Gmail emails to an external hard drive. But all methods come with restrictions, so please read all the limitations first before starting the backup.

Method 1: Backup your Gmail account using Google Takeout

Google Takeout is a free backup service provided by Gmail. It is the most elegant and reliable solution to save multiple emails from Gmail. Follow these steps carefully:

  1. Firstly, login Google Takeout on your device to backup Gmail email to an external hard drive.

  2. Secondly, click on the “Deselect all” option.

    backup Gmail Email to hard drive

  3. Scroll down, choose the “Mail” option from the drop-down.

    select Mail option

  4. Then, select the “download link via email” from the delivery method.

    choose delivery method

  5. Select the .zip option from the file type option.

  6. Choose the file size, because if your data is huge, this option will be split into multiple files.

    select file size

  7. After completing all the steps, it will ask for your Gmail credentials.

  8. Now, backup your Gmail account will appear on the screen.

    backup Gmail emails to an external hard drive

Limitations

After that, you will get the result file in MBOX format. So, to view all the backup Gmail data, you can use the free MBOX Viewer, which makes accessing your files easier.

Another option is that you can try MBOX Converter to convert MBOX files to some other format. But in the end, you’ll need a supported email client to view backup emails from Gmail to an external hard drive.

Method 2: Save Gmail Email as PDF on external Hard Drive

This method only saves one email at a time. Therefore, if you save a few emails, then you can go with this method.

  1. Go to your Gmail account and login.
  2. Open the email that you want to save as a PDF on an external hard drive.
  3. Now click on the three dots >> then print.

  4. From the next screen, choose the destination option >> Save as PDF >> Save.

    choose PDF option to backup Gmail to hard drive

  5. And select the location where you saved the PDF file.

Limitations

  1. Time-consuming process.
  2. A user cannot backup unlimited emails from Gmail to an external hard drive.
  3. Repetition process for each email.

Method 3: With Outlook to Backup my Gmail Emails to an External drive

  1. Launch Microsoft Outlook on your system.
  2. Click on the File tab >> Info >> Add Account.

  3. Enter your name, Gmail email address, and password on the next pop-up screen.

    add Gmail details

  4. Finally, click the sync email option, then hit the finish tab.

This will allow you to sync your account, and all of your emails will be displayed in your Outlook mailbox.

  1. Then pick the Open & Export option, then Import/Export option.

    click Import/Export option

  2. From the “Import and Export Wizard” screen, choose the “Export to a file” option.

    click export a file option to backup Gmail email to external drive

  3. After that, go to Outlook Data File (.pst) >> Next.

    choose outlook data option

  4. Check the Include subfolders box in the Export Outlook Data File window, then click Next.
  5. Then browse the location to save your exported file to an external hard drive.

Limitations

With this method, you will get a backup of PST file format from Gmail. If you import this PST file to an external hard drive, you will need a PST file converter to view the PST file contents. And, Outlook must be installed on your device.

Not all of these manual methods support attachments, and there is a high potential for data loss.

Method 4: Automated Solution of Backup Gmail Account

Still not able to find a reliable solution? Then, we offer you a professional Gmail backup solution to backup your Gmail emails to an external hard drive. AWD is a separate piece of software that lets you save your Gmail account without any problems.

The software allows you to save your Google account data to your local hard disc in batches. There are no restrictions or downtime to deal with. It is a multi-featured application that facilitates to backup Gmail emails with attachments to an external hard drive. Plus, it comes with many data filter options for selective data saving. You can also install it on any of your latest Windows machines, like Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP, Vista, etc.