I normally never worry about ensuring I have a backup for everything but laptop is getting older.
What is the easiest way to backup my laptop to my external 1TB drive?
Actuially, I suggest that you use the third-party software. it can be a trouble you backup everything to the external hard disk including system. And use the third-party, you can get the supports. I suggest the software: EaseUS Todo Backup, it is a powerful backup software. And there was different types for backup your everything in this software. Just try it. google it and you can find it directly.