Once or twice a week I do a disk clone using Acronis -- to an external usb drive.
Easiest way for me. If necessary, I can remove the external drive from its enclosure, plug it into the computer and boot up.
Or, I can, at any time, copy partial contents from the usb clone drive to my C drive.
Anything, like a surge, for instance, that might destroy my C drive, cannot hurt my usb drive because it keep it disconnected from both data and power.
What could be easier?
matis