Your files should always be backed up because a hard drive can die at any time without notice. Don't be one of the many I've seen who are crushed by the loss of irreplaceable family pictures or valuable documents! Some suggestions are here based on helping for 14 years in forums with what works best:
1) You can sync your Desktop, Documents and Pictures folder using OneDrive Backup, or just drag valuable files into OneDrive folder, offering 5gb free with additional space for cheap, 1tb with MS 365 subscription: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/116029-turn-off-folder-protection-onedrive-windows-10-a.html
I have been syncing all my User folders in OneDrive for ten years without problem, using this additional method: Sync, Backup and Store Any/All User Folders to the Cloud with - Microsoft Community. In addition I have a secondary real time User folder backup using Google Drive Desktop.
2) Google Drive has a new Desktop program that allows you to choose User folders (Documents, Pictures, etc.) to sync up to 15gb for free to their cloud in real time so it always has the latest version: https://support.google.com/drive/answer/10838124?hl=en You can sync your Android phone too with this.
3) In addition I'd have an on-site hard copy backup. The best way to do this is to sort all of your files into their User folders and then drag or copy them periodically to another hard drive, or better yet an USB external or flash drive which you keep unplugged to avoid ransomware infection.
Here are the best quality discount external and USB flash drives on Amazon as of now:
Amazon.com: SanDisk 32GB Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive $7.40 - SDCZ48-032G-UAM46 : Electronics
Amazon.com: PNY 128GB Turbo Attache 3 USB 3.0 Flash Drive $9.99! : Electronics
Here's how to drag, copy or move large groups of files: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2086566/the-many-ways-to-copy-move-or-delete-multiple-files.html
4) Besides your files you should save a System Image back up to use in place of reinstall in 20 minutes. The best free alternative is Macrium which is the choice of all experts because of it's drag-n-drop simplicity which always works: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/7363/macrium-reflect-is-a-free-and-easy-to-use-backup-utility/ You can even use the Macrium program to mount and extract files from this image so it can serve as both image and file backup too. In the rare case an image will ever not start, the rescue media it makes for you has advanced Startup Repair.
The modern way to do this is have a separate data partition where you link your User folders this way: How to move user folders to different location on Windows 10 | Windows Central
This keeps the C partition Windows image smaller for storage purposes, so if Windows ever becomes irreparable you can restore C from recovery media, and your files will be current and safe in their own separate partition. If they are left on C they would be dated from when the image was taken.
5) You can also use built-in File History as an automated backup method, or turn it off:
Turn On or Off File History in Windows 10 | Tutorials
Here are strategies for minimizing File history size on drive:
Reduce File History size on Windows 10 - gHacks Tech News
How to free up space when the File History drive is full | Digital Citizen
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