# How Data Files Stored - External HD

**URL:** <https://forum.duplicati.com/t/how-data-files-stored-external-hd/20383>\
**Category:** Installation\
**Created:** [March 23, 2025, 3:40am UTC](https://forum.duplicati.com/t/how-data-files-stored-external-hd/20383 "2025-03-23T03:40:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![GoodOleBob](https://forum.duplicati.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@GoodOleBob](https://forum.duplicati.com/u/GoodOleBob)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 3:40am UTC](https://forum.duplicati.com/t/how-data-files-stored-external-hd/20383/1 "2025-03-23T03:40:36Z")

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Did pretty much a “plain vanilla” basic install of Duplicati, then saved my pictures to external hard drive. Backup is broken-down to many Zip folders.

Is there a way to store backup files visible on hard drive viewed in a Windows browser showing the pictures and documents identical to the source drive?

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**Author:** ![ts678](https://forum.duplicati.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@ts678](https://forum.duplicati.com/u/ts678)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 11:53am UTC](https://forum.duplicati.com/t/how-data-files-stored-external-hd/20383/2 "2025-03-23T11:53:26Z")

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Welcome to the forum @GoodOleBob

> [@GoodOleBob](#):
>
> identical to the source drive

No. Duplicati is a backup tool designed to backup historical versions compactly, allowing one to revert to earlier versions of files. It sounds like you could check:

[Comparison of file synchronization software](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_file_synchronization_software)

Some can keep multiple versions of files (maybe not compactly). Others will not.

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**Author:** ![GoodOleBob](https://forum.duplicati.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@GoodOleBob](https://forum.duplicati.com/u/GoodOleBob)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 2:15pm UTC](https://forum.duplicati.com/t/how-data-files-stored-external-hd/20383/3 "2025-03-23T14:15:59Z")

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Many thanks for your reply.

It seems easiest that I step aside with any prior expectations of how, and enjoy Duplicati doing its good work in the best way possible. : )

```
 GoodOleBob

```