{"id":33265,"date":"2025-01-15T21:00:55","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T21:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/?p=33265"},"modified":"2025-09-03T00:05:19","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T00:05:19","slug":"how-to-back-up-windows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-back-up-windows\/","title":{"rendered":"Windows Backup: How to Back Up and Restore Your Apps, Files, and Settings on Windows 10\/11"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Just a few months ago, I reset my computer and accidentally deleted important files because I thought I had backed them up. It turns out this is a common phenomenon because 29% of data losses are caused by accidents, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldbackupday.com\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">World Backup Day<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, I was able to retrieve most of my lost data, but the matter still stands: we need to take the computer backup seriously.<\/p>\n<p>The same study said that 30% of all PCs are already infected with malware, and 21% of people have never backed up their data before. Luckily, it all ends today!<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll give you a step-by-step guide to backing up your data.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is a Backup?<\/h2>\n<p>A backup is a copy of your essential files, settings, or even your entire computer setup. This way, if something goes wrong, like a computer crash or a virus, you can recover your data. When it comes to backing up your data and its frequency, you need to consider:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">The amount of data you need to back up.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">How often the data changes.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">How long the backup process takes.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Where you save your files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For example, imagine having a year\u2019s worth (six years in my case) of important work files or family photos. If your computer suffers a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/know-windows-10-computer-infected\/\">malware attack<\/a>, a fatal BSOD error, or gets caught in the recent California wildfires (a bit extreme, but you get the idea), it would be a huge blow.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why you always need to consider backing up your Windows system and crucial files\u2014whether it\u2019s to an external drive or a cloud service\u2014even though Windows stores them on your PC by default (we\u2019ll get to that bit shortly).<\/p>\n<h2>Types of Backups in Windows<\/h2>\n<p>Below are the types of data backups that Windows offers. This should give you a fair idea of what works best for you:<\/p>\n<h3>1. Full backup<\/h3>\n<p>This type of Windows backup copies all your data. Nothing is left behind. The system backs up every file, folder, and system configuration each time you run this backup.<\/p>\n<p>The full backup is ideal if it\u2019s your first time backing up your files or if you do it periodically.<\/p>\n<p>Or if you want to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/easily-reset-your-pc-how-to-factory-reset-a-windows-10-11-computer\/\">factory reset your PC<\/a>, like I did.\u00a0 But there are a few pros and cons you need to consider:<\/p>\n<div class=\"pros-cons\">\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__choose\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_pros\">\r\n \t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Complete data protection<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Easy to restore from the external hard drive<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Makes the restoration process easy because everything is in one place<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__avoid\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_cons\">\r\n\t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">It\u2019s time-consuming because all the files are copied at the same time<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Need lots of storage space<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3>2. Incremental backup<\/h3>\n<p>Incremental backup only backs up the files that have changed since the last backup of any type. So, let\u2019s say you backed up your photo library, old and new, and made some edits. In this situation, you don\u2019t have to perform another full backup.<\/p>\n<p>Just use this method, and it\u2019ll only back up the changes. It\u2019s a good way of addressing the inefficiencies of full backups.<\/p>\n<div class=\"pros-cons\">\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__choose\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_pros\">\r\n \t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">It\u2019s fast compared to a full backup<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Requires small storage space since only changes are saved<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__avoid\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_cons\">\r\n\t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Restoring can be slow because the data will have to be rebuilt from the full backup and all subsequent incremental backups<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">If one incremental backup file is corrupted, you might lose data continuity<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3>3. Differential backup<\/h3>\n<p>A differential backup captures all changes made since the last full backup. It\u2019s a middle ground between full and incremental backups. This means restoration is faster compared to incremental backups. It\u2019s ideal for situations where faster recovery times are needed.<\/p>\n<div class=\"pros-cons\">\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__choose\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_pros\">\r\n \t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">It\u2019s faster than a full backup<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__avoid\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_cons\">\r\n\t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Needs more storage space over time<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Takes longer than incremental backups as the size of the backup grows with time<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>Here\u2019s a comparison table to make it clearer for you:<\/p>\n<div class=\"wrapper-table\">\n<table style=\"height: 261px;\" width=\"685\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Full backup<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Incremental backup<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Differential backup<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Backup time<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Long<\/td>\n<td>Short<\/td>\n<td>Medium<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Storage required<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>High<\/td>\n<td>Low<\/td>\n<td>Medium to high<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Restore time<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Shortest<\/td>\n<td>Long<\/td>\n<td>Short<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Data integrity<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>High<\/td>\n<td>Medium<\/td>\n<td>High<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Use cases<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Initial and periodic backups<\/td>\n<td>Daily backups, limited backup<\/td>\n<td>Fast restoration, regular backups<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Methods of Backing Up on Windows 10\/11<\/h2>\n<p>When it comes to backing up your data on Windows 10 or 11, you\u2019ve got a few options. These methods fall basically under two groups: built-in tools or third-party software. Here\u2019s a brief rundown of what\u2019s available to you:<\/p>\n<h3>Method 1: Windows built-in tools<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>File History: <\/b>This method is a simple and automatic way to back up your files. It backs up folders like Documents, Pictures, Music, and Desktop at regular intervals, so you can restore previous versions of your files in case they are corrupted or you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-recover-deleted-files\/\">accidentally delete them <\/a>. File History is best suited for file-based and incremental backups.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Backup and Restore (Windows 7):<\/b> It allows you to back up everything, including a system image (a complete snapshot of your operating system, settings, and installed programs). You can also choose to back up files in your Libraries, Desktop, and other chosen folders, either automatically or on a set schedule. This method is ideal for a full system backup.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"notebox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"notebox__text\">Pay no attention to the \u201c(Windows 7).\u201d This feature was originally introduced in Windows 7, hence the name Backup and Restore (Windows 7). But it works on Windows 10 and 11. It\u2019s not really clear why Microsoft still adds \u201c(Windows 7).\u201d Perhaps it\u2019s to let users know it\u2019s backward compatible. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>System Restore:<\/b> This method isn\u2019t meant to back up personal files but instead helps you roll back your system to a previous state. This is useful if your computer is having issues after installing new software or updates. It doesn\u2019t save documents or files but can be a lifesaver for fixing system problems. It\u2019s a full backup plan for system settings.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cloud storage <\/b>automatically backs up the files you choose to store in it and makes them accessible on all your devices. That said, it has a limited amount of free space unless you opt for a subscription.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/easy-guide-how-to-disable-onedrive-and-uninstall-it-completely-from-windows-10-11\/\">OneDrive <\/a> offers 5GB of free storage, Google Drive offers 15GB for free, and Dropbox gives you only 2GB with its free plan. This method is ideal for incremental backup.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Windows Backup:<\/b> This is a new feature introduced in the 2023 update for Windows 11, version 23H2. It offers both file-based and image-based backups. You can back up your files, system settings, apps, and even your system image to an external drive, network drive, or cloud. Windows Backup is similar to Backup and Restore (Windows 7) but with modern features. It\u2019s ideal for full and incremental backups.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Method 2: Third-party software<\/h3>\n<p>Third-party tools offer more advanced features and flexibility, especially if you\u2019re the type who wants more control or additional backup options. Here are some popular tools:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.macrium.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Macrium Reflect<\/b><\/a> is known for creating full system images and incremental backups. It\u2019s a reliable tool for users who want to back up everything, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/system-reserved-partition-in-windows\/\">system partitions<\/a>, and easily restore it all if needed.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acronis.com\/en-us\/products\/true-image\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Acronis True Image<\/b><\/a> is a complete backup solution with cloud storage integration, ransomware protection, and powerful recovery options. It offers both full and incremental backups, together with additional security features, which is good if you prefer an all-in-one solution.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.easeus.com\/backup-software\/tb-free.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>EaseUS Todo Backup<\/b><\/a> is a user-friendly tool that can backup files, partitions, and entire systems. It\u2019s great for beginners who want a straightforward way to back up their data without going into complicated settings. It\u2019s ideal for full, incremental, or differential backups.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"wrapper-table\">\n<table style=\"height: 316px;\" width=\"827\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th><strong>Backup method<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Pros\/Cons<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Best for<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Backup type<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>File History<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><div class=\"pros-cons\">\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__choose\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_pros\">\r\n \t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Easy to set up<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Automatic backups<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Can back up to an external drive or cloud<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__avoid\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_cons\">\r\n\t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Full system image backup<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Simple to use<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/td>\n<td>Users looking for simple, file-based backups<\/td>\n<td>Incremental<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Backup and Restore (Windows 7)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><div class=\"pros-cons\">\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__choose\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_pros\">\r\n \t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Full system image backup<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Simple to use<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__avoid\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_cons\">\r\n\t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Can be slow<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Doesn\u2019t work well with modern systems<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/td>\n<td>Users who want a complete system backup<\/td>\n<td>Full<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>System Restore<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><div class=\"pros-cons\">\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__choose\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_pros\">\r\n \t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Quick and easy recovery for system issues<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__avoid\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_cons\">\r\n\t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Doesn\u2019t back up personal files, only system settings<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/td>\n<td>Users needing to restore system settings, not files<\/td>\n<td>Full (system settings only)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Cloud storage<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><div class=\"pros-cons\">\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__choose\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_pros\">\r\n \t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Automatic cloud syncing<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Access files from anywhere<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__avoid\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_cons\">\r\n\t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Limited free storage<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Relies on internet connection<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/td>\n<td>Users who want cloud backup and cross-device accessibility<\/td>\n<td>Incremental<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Windows Backup<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><div class=\"pros-cons\">\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__choose\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_pros\">\r\n \t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Complete backups of files and system<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Cloud and external backup options<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__avoid\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_cons\">\r\n\t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Newer feature, may need time to get fully optimized<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/td>\n<td>Users looking for an all-in-one, modern backup solution<\/td>\n<td>Full or differential<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Third-party software<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><div class=\"pros-cons\">\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__choose\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_pros\">\r\n \t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Advanced features<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Full system image<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Flexible backups<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Ransomware protection<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Cloud backup options<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__avoid\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_cons\">\r\n\t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Paid plans<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Can be more complex or require technical knowledge<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/td>\n<td>Advanced users who want full control and extra features or businesses needing robust backup solutions<\/td>\n<td>Full, incremental, or differential<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h2>How to Prepare a Windows PC for a Backup<\/h2>\n<p>You should get your PC ready if you want your Windows 11 or 10 backup to go well. Most users forget these steps, but that shouldn\u2019t be the case. Let\u2019s quickly go through them:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Update your OS.<\/b> Make sure your system is fully updated. This helps avoid potential compatibility issues during the backup process. Go to Settings and click <i>Windows Update <\/i> <i>&gt; <\/i> <i>Check for updates <\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b>\ud83d\udccc Read more: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/do-i-need-manually-check-for-win10-updates\/\">Ultimate Guide: How to Manually Check and Install Windows Updates <\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Clean up your files and folders.<\/b> Properly organize your files by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/windows-disk-cleanup-is-now-replaced-by-windows-10-storage\/\">getting rid of unnecessary files<\/a>. Not only will this make the backup faster, but it\u2019ll also keep your backup drive tidy.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Decide on what you need to back up.<\/b> Determine what needs to be backed up. While it\u2019s easier to simply back up everything, focusing on the most crucial files will save you time and space.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Choose where to perform the backup.<\/b> Before you start the backup, carefully select the most appropriate place to back your system to. Most users generally use external hard drives, but you can also go for cloud storage. Choose what works for you. <b><\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Update your drivers.<\/b> It\u2019s important to update your drivers to reduce any system issues or hardware changes, especially if you\u2019re using the external drive. Sometimes, your driver may respond slowly or won\u2019t even show up. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-update-drivers\/\">Updating your drivers<\/a> will rectify these issues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Different Storage Options to Consider for Windows Backups<\/h2>\n<p>Where to back up your Windows system is a very crucial factor to consider. You need to know what works best for your needs. Whether you prefer external hard drives, cloud services, network storage, or keeping your data on your PC, each option comes with its pros and cons.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s break down each method to help you choose the right one:<\/p>\n<div class=\"wrapper-table\">\n<table style=\"height: 205px;\" width=\"515\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th><strong>Storage option<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Pros\/Cons<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Best for<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>External hard drives<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><div class=\"pros-cons\">\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__choose\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_pros\">\r\n \t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Offline access No subscription fees<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__avoid\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_cons\">\r\n\t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">May be lost\/stolen Limited capacity without upgrade<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Large files<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Privacy concerns<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Offline setups<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Cloud backup<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><div class=\"pros-cons\">\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__choose\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_pros\">\r\n \t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Accessible anywhere<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Easy scalability<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__avoid\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_cons\">\r\n\t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Subscription fees<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Needs internet connection<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Frequent travelers<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Collaboration needs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Network-attached storage (NAS)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><div class=\"pros-cons\">\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__choose\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_pros\">\r\n \t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Centralized backups<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Automatic for multiple devices<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__avoid\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_cons\">\r\n\t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Requires setup and maintenance<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Can be expensive<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Households<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Small offices<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Local backup (same device)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><div class=\"pros-cons\">\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__choose\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_pros\">\r\n \t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Quick access<\/li>\n<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">No additional hardware needed<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"pros-cons__avoid\">\r\n<ul class=\"pros-cons__list pros-cons__list_cons\">\r\n\t<li class=\"pros-cons__item\">Risk of data loss if hardware fails<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>Fast and easy backup of frequently used data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>The best option depends on your lifestyle, needs, and priorities:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>For ultimate security and privacy<\/b>, go for an external hard drive. It\u2019s offline, easy to use, and doesn\u2019t involve any cost. Just remember to store it in a safe place and update it regularly.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>If you\u2019re always on the move<\/b>, go with cloud storage for its accessibility and ability to sync across devices. It\u2019s also a perfect secondary backup option to complement other methods.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>For households and small offices<\/b>, go for a NAS setup. It allows different users to back up their data automatically without accessing files anytime within your local network.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>If you want to save time and effort<\/b>, you can back your system up to the same computer. But it should only be a temporary backup; don\u2019t rely on it as your sole backup because it\u2019s vulnerable to theft, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/ultimate-guide-how-to-fix-hard-drive-errors\/\">hard drive errors<\/a>, and many other unforeseen circumstances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"notebox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"notebox__heading\"> If you choose to back up to external hard drive<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"notebox__text\"><\/p>\n<p>If you decide to go with an external HDD, make sure it has enough storage space. Ideally, you should aim for twice the size of your current hard drive, particularly for a full backup. Consider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/ssd-vs-hdd-whats-the-difference-and-what-to-choose\/\">SSDs compared to HDDs <\/a> because they are faster, though they are a bit more expensive. But you can still find one within your budget.<\/p>\n<p>Always keep your drive clean, regularly check it for errors, and make sure to replace it in time, as the average lifespan of an HDD is 3\u20135 years. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n<p>One more thing: Store your drive separately from your computer. So, even if something happens to your computer like theft or something else, your drive will still remain safe.<\/p>\n<h2>How to Perform a Windows Backup on Windows 10\/11<\/h2>\n<p>In this section, I\u2019ll walk you through a step-by-step process on how to back up your Windows system.<\/p>\n<h3>Method 1: Using Backup and Restore (Windows 7)<\/h3>\n<div class=\"notebox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"notebox__text\">We\u2019ll use an external hard drive in the example below and show you a simpler restoration method that goes with it. However, you can back up Windows to your local drive (C:) or any of the storage options we covered earlier. Make sure <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/clearing-the-clutter-how-to-free-up-space-on-c-drive-in-windows-10\/\">your local drive has enough free space <\/a>, as a backup, especially a full one, consumes a lot of storage. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Open the Control Panel by typing it into the search bar and pressing Enter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-101.png\" alt=\"Open the Control Panel by typing it into the search bar and pressing Enter\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Click on <i>Backup and Restore (Windows 7)<\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-24-120335.png\" alt=\"Click on Backup and Restore (Windows 7)\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Click on <i>Set up backup<\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-24-120526.png\" alt=\"Click on Set up backup\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>A pop-up window will show up. Here, you can choose your preferred storage, even though Windows will suggest saving your backup to an external drive. If you prefer the network option, click on <i>Save on a network <\/i>. In this example, we\u2019ll choose an external drive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-001812.png\" alt=\"If you prefer the network option, click on Save on a network\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Next, you have to decide whether to allow Windows to choose what to back up or do it yourself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-002728.png\" alt=\"Next, you have to decide whether to allow Windows to choose what to back up or do it yourself\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"notebox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"notebox__text\">If you let Windows choose, it\u2019ll back up files located in your Libraries, Desktop, and other default Windows folders. It\u2019ll also create a system image to help you restore your computer if it stops working. Regardless of the option you choose, the system will regularly back up the selected items. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>After checking the data you want to save (assuming you selected the <i>Let me choose <\/i> option), click <i>Next <\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-003535.png\" alt=\"After checking the data you want to save (assuming you selected the Let me choose option), click Next\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>In the next window, check the schedule section and see if the time and day work for you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-003733.png\" alt=\"In the next window, check the schedule section and see if the time and day work for you\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>If not, click on <i>Change schedule <\/i>, make the necessary adjustments, and click <i>OK<\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-003927.png\" alt=\"If not, click on Change schedule, make the necessary adjustments, and click OK\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>When you\u2019re done, click <i>Save settings and run backup <\/i>. You\u2019ll see the progress bar right after this. You can click <i>View Details <\/i> to get more specific details of the Windows backup.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-004026.png\" alt=\"When you\u2019re done, click Save settings and run backup. You\u2019ll see the progress bar right after this. You can click View Details to get more specific details of the Windows backup\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tipsbox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"tipsbox__heading\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"tipsbox__arrow-right\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"tipsbox__shield\">PRO TIP<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"tipsbox__arrow-left\"><\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"tipsbox__text\"><\/p>\n<p>To verify your Windows backup , check the status in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/open-control-panel-windows-10\/\">Control Panel <\/a> under <i>Backup and Restore (Windows 7) <\/i>or <i>File History <\/i>. Confirm the last backup date, and ensure the process is completed successfully.<\/p>\n<p>Also, go to the file location and try opening the backup files to see if everything is intact. If there is an error, run the Command Prompt as an administrator and type <i>chkdsk X: \/f <\/i> (replace <i>X <\/i> with your drive letter). If that doesn\u2019t work, recreate the backup. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n<p><b>How to restore files using Backup and Restore (Windows 7)\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p>To restore your files, open the Control Panel again, go to <i>Backup and Restore (Windows 7) <\/i>, and click on <i>Restore my files <\/i>under <i>Restore <\/i>. A pop-up window will appear to select the backup you want to restore from and follow the prompts to complete the restoration.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Open the external hard drive, right-click on the backup file, and select <i>Restore Options <\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-124052.png\" alt=\"Open the external hard drive, right-click on the backup file, and select Restore Options\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>You can choose between three options: <i>Restore my files from this backup<\/i>, <i>Restore files for all users on this computer<\/i>, and <i>Manage space used by this backup.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>The option <i>Restore my files from this backup <\/i> will recover your personal files from the external hard drive backup .<\/p>\n<p>In contrast, <i>Restore files for all users on this computer <\/i> allows you to recover files for all user accounts on the system. This is a better option if you have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/create-a-local-user-account-in-windows-10\/\">multiple user accounts <\/a> on your computer.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the <i>Manage space used by this backup <\/i>option lets you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-increase-storage-on-a-pc-or-laptop\/\">control the storage space <\/a> allocated for backups. With it, you can delete older backups or adjust the storage settings to ensure efficient use of your backup drive.<\/p>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-124250.png\" alt=\"You can choose between three options: Restore my files from this backup, Restore files for all users on this computer, and Manage space used by this backup\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>A pop-window will appear. Click on <i> Search<\/i>, <i>Browse for files<\/i>, or <i>Browse for folders<\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-180128.png\" alt=\"A pop-window will appear. Click on Search, Browse for files, or Browse for folders\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Then, select your preferred backup and click on <i>Add files<\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-180706.png\" alt=\"Then, select your preferred backup and click on Add files\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>All the files or folders you select will be listed on the left. Then, click <i>Next<\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-180753.png\" alt=\"All the files or folders you select will be listed on the left. Then, click Next\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Choose the location you want to restore the files, either in the original location or search for a specific location. When you\u2019re done, click on <i>Restore <\/i>to complete the process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-180912.png\" alt=\"Choose the location you want to restore the files, either in the original location or search for a specific location. When you\u2019re done, click on Restore to complete the process\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"notebox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"notebox__text\">Sometimes, after creating the Windows backup, you\u2019ll notice your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/fix-external-hdd-too-slow-to-open-files\/\">external hard drive being too slow to open files <\/a>. If you have enough space, the issue may be that write caching is disabled. To fix it, go to <i>Device Manager &gt; Disk drives<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>Right-click your backup drive and go to <i> Properties &gt; Policies &gt; Enable write caching on the device<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>Another reason could be that the file system used to format the drive isn\u2019t optimized for Windows, like exFAT instead of NTFS. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3>Method 2: Using File History<\/h3>\n<div class=\"notebox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"notebox__text\">We\u2019ll use an external hard drive in the example below, but you can perform the backup to your preferred storage medium. Regardless, the process stays the same! <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Search for <i>File History <\/i> in the Windows search bar and open the app.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-10-102702.png\" alt=\"Search for File History in the Windows search bar and open the app\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>On the left pane, click <i>Select drive<\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-105045.png\" alt=\"On the left pane, click Select drive\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>From the list of drives, choose the one you want to use to back up your files and click <i>OK<\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-105458.png\" alt=\"From the list of drives, choose the one you want to use to back up your files and click OK\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>After choosing a drive, return to the previous window and turn File History on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-105649.png\" alt=\"After choosing a drive, return to the previous window and turn File History on\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Just like with full backup, you can also set a schedule for backup. If you want, you can click <i>Advanced settings <\/i>to do that.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-115225.png\" alt=\"Just like with full backup, you can also set a schedule for backup. If you want, you can click Advanced settings to do that\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Click on <i>Save copies of files. <\/i>Here, you will select how often you want to back up your files.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">The second option, <i>Keep saved versions<\/i>, decides how long Windows will keep your backup files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-105914.png\" alt=\"The second option, Keep saved versions, decides how long Windows will keep your backup files\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>When you are done, click <i>Save changes<\/i>.<\/li>\n<li>If there are some folders you don\u2019t want to back up (maybe to conserve space or to save time), you can click <i>Exclude folders<\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-115225.png\" alt=\"If there are some folders you don\u2019t want to back up (maybe to conserve space or to save time), you can click Exclude folders\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Click <i>Add <\/i> to select the folders you want to exclude.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-110234.png\" alt=\"Click Add to select the folders you want to exclude\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Click the folders and click <i>Select Folder.<\/i>\u00a0You can only select one at a time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-111227.png\" alt=\"Click the folders and click Select Folder. You can only select one at a time\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>As you add the files, you will see them appearing in the box. When you are done, click <i>Save changes <\/i> to start the process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-111258.png\" alt=\"As you add the files, you will see them appearing in the box. When you are done, click Save changes to start the process\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tipsbox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"tipsbox__heading\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"tipsbox__arrow-right\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"tipsbox__shield\">PRO TIP<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"tipsbox__arrow-left\"><\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"tipsbox__text\">In case your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-easily-fix-a-corrupted-external-hard-drive-without-losing-your-data\/\">external hard drive gets corrupted<\/a>, run the Command Prompt with administrative privileges, type <i>chkdsk E: \/f \/r \/x, <\/i> and press Enter (replace <i>E <\/i> with your external drive letter). This will solve the issue without losing your data. If it doesn\u2019t work, run the SFC scan and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-update-drivers\/\">update your disk drivers <\/a>. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n<p><b>How to restore files using File History\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Restoring files via File History is quite straightforward. Go to the folder that contains the file or folder you want to restore and right-click it. Then, select <i>Restore previous versions <\/i> from the context menu.<\/p>\n<p>A window will pop up showing you different versions of the file or folder that are available. Use the left and right arrows to browse through the versions and click <i>Restore <\/i>once you find the file you want to restore your system from.<\/p>\n<div class=\"notebox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"notebox__text\">File History automatically looks for the drive where your File History backups are stored. So, make sure your external drive is connected if you used this method before beginning the process. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>Now, I\u2019ll show you how to restore from a backup using File History. Let\u2019s again use an external drive in this example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Plug in the external drive where you backed up your files, type <i>File History <\/i> in the Windows search bar, and open the app.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Click on <i>Restore personal files<\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-120848.png\" alt=\"Click on Restore personal files\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>You can choose to restore a file or folder or multiple files or folders from the backup.<\/li>\n<li>After you have selected what to restore, click on the green restore icon, and Windows will restore your files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-135537.png\" alt=\"After you have selected what to restore, click on the green restore icon, and Windows will restore your files\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Click the left arrow and right arrow icons to browse between different versions of your files and folders by date.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2024-12-26-135939.png\" alt=\"Click the left arrow and right arrow icons to browse between different versions of your files and folders by date\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tipsbox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"tipsbox__heading\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"tipsbox__arrow-right\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"tipsbox__shield\">PRO TIP<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"tipsbox__arrow-left\"><\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"tipsbox__text\">For comprehensive data protection, you can use both Backup and Restore (Windows 7) and File History together. Backup and Restore (Windows 7) for system recovery and File History for frequent file backups and version management. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n<h3>Method 3: Using System Restore<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Type <i>create a restore point <\/i> in the search bar and click on the best match.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-15-at-4.45.18\u202fPM.png\" alt=\"Type create a restore point in the search bar and click on the best match\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Click on <i>Create <\/i>to initiate the process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-15-at-4.49.14\u202fPM.png\" alt=\"Click on Create to initiate the process\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>A pop-up window will appear; give the restore point a name and click <i>Create <\/i> to start the process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-15-at-4.50.27\u202fPM.png\" alt=\"A pop-up window will appear; give the restore point a name and click Create to start the process\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"notebox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"notebox__text\">In certain situations, when there is a conflict with software, malware infection, corrupt system files, or issues with your hard drive, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/fixing-restore-point-not-working-in-windows-10\/\">System Restore tool may not work<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Run SFC and DISM scans to resolve the issue. Also, scan your drive for any malware attack. If that doesn\u2019t work, run the PC in Safe Mode and undo any apps you recently installed or undo any recent system changes. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3>Method 4: Using cloud storage<\/h3>\n<p>There are several reliable cloud storage providers to choose from. We\u2019ll go with OneDrive for this example, but the steps are essentially the same for all cloud storages:<\/p>\n<p><b>Using the manual backup method<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0Type <i>OneDrive <\/i>in the search bar and click on the app to open it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-15-at-4.54.16\u202fPM.png\" alt=\"Type OneDrive in the search bar and click on the app to open it\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Sign in with your Microsoft account if you haven\u2019t already, or create an account if you don\u2019t have one yet.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Open File Explorer and go to the OneDrive folder. Then, copy and paste or drag the files or folders you want to back up into this folder. If you see a green check mark, it means the transfer is complete.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-163013.png\" alt=\"Open File Explorer and go to the OneDrive folder\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Remember that if the OneDrive folder is on the same drive as your original files, dragging the files will actually move them, not copy. The safest way is to copy and paste them into the OneDrive folder.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-164311.png\" alt=\"The safest way is to copy and paste them into the OneDrive folder\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p><b>Using the automatic backup method<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Open File Explorer and right-click your OneDrive in the library section. Then, hover on <i>OneDrive <\/i>and select <i>Manage OneDrive backup <\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-165451.png\" alt=\"Open File Explorer and right-click your OneDrive in the library section\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Select the files to be backed up automatically and click <i>Save changes<\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-165743.png\" alt=\"Select the files to be backed up automatically and click Save changes\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>If you want to verify your backups, go to <a href=\"http:\/\/onedrive.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><i>onedrive.com<\/i><\/a>, sign into your account, and confirm your files are available in the cloud.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b>\ud83d\udccc Related read: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/fix-onedrive-not-syncing-issues-on-windows\/\">How to Fix OneDrive Not Syncing on a Windows PC? <\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Method 5: Using Windows Backup<\/h3>\n<p>This method is only available on Windows 11 and later. Also, keep in mind that Windows Backup is powered by OneDrive. So you\u2019ll have to enable OneDrive before beginning this step, and you might need a paid OneDrive subscription.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how it works:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Type <i>Windows Backup <\/i> in the search field and click on the app to open it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-170645.png\" alt=\"Type Windows Backup in the search field and click on the app to open it\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Expand the categories and toggle the ones you want to back up. When you\u2019re done, click <i>Back up<\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-171814.png\" alt=\"Expand the categories and toggle the ones you want to back up. When you\u2019re done, click Back up\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3>Method 6: Using third-party backup software<\/h3>\n<p>For this example, we\u2019ll show you how to create a Windows backup using Macrium Reflect.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/redirect.viglink.com\/?format=go&amp;jsonp=vglnk_173668853261910&amp;key=eac202ea7a96cf485281d6c4ffa2069e&amp;libId=m5tnd79e0103es17000ULbonbs9xw&amp;loc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makeuseof.com%2Fwindows-backup-macrium-reflect-guide%2F&amp;v=1&amp;opt=true&amp;optExText=false&amp;out=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.macrium.com%2Freflectfree&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&amp;title=How%20to%20Back%20Up%20Your%20Windows%20Installation%20With%20Macrium%20Reflect&amp;txt=Macrium%20Reflect%20Free%27s%20wensite\">Download the software <\/a> from the official website and install it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"notebox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"notebox__text\">\u00a0When downloading, you\u2019ll be given the option to download the 32- or 64-bit version. Most modern PCs use the 64-bit system. However, to be sure, type <i>System <\/i> in the search box and press Enter. In the <i>System <\/i> window, look for <i>System type <\/i>. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Click on <i>Backup <\/i>and select <i>Backup Windows<\/i>.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">The software will detect and choose all the Windows partitions to back up. Make sure to only choose the part you want to back up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-200825.png\" alt=\"Click on Backup and select Backup Windows\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>In the <i>Folder <\/i>section, click on the black folder icon and choose where you want to store your backup. You can select an external HDD or any other device with enough storage. Just don\u2019t use the drive where Windows is installed. After everything, click <i>OK <\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-201119.png\" alt=\"In the Folder section, click on the black folder icon and choose where you want to store your backup\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Choose a backup name in the <i>Backup File Name <\/i> section and click <i>Next <\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-201422.png\" alt=\"Choose a backup name in the Backup File Name section and click Next.\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Select a template for your backup plan from the drop-down menu under <i>Select a Template for your Backup Plan <\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-201546.png\" alt=\"Select a template for your backup plan from the drop-down menu under Select a Template for your Backup Plan\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Click the <i>Advanced Options <\/i> link if you want to further customize the backup plan. You can check the backup\u2019s compression level, add password, verify file system, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-201716.png\" alt=\"Click the Advanced Options link if you want to further customize the backup plan\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Go through the summary to see if everything is as you want it. Then, click <i>Finish <\/i>to complete the backup creation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screenshot-2025-01-12-201900.png\" alt=\"Go through the summary to see if everything is as you want it\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h2>Complete the Windows 10\/11 Backup the Right Way<\/h2>\n<p>The backup on Windows 10 and 11 is a fairly easy thing to do. However, make sure to verify if it has actually copied everything. I had to try several times before completing the backup because my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/fixed-how-to-fix-external-hard-drive-not-showing-up-in-windows-10-11\/\">external hard drive wasn\u2019t displaying <\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you encounter a similar issue, try updating your drivers and checking for file system errors ( <i>Properties &gt; Tools &gt; Check <\/i>). You may have to reformat the drive to resolve the issue.<\/p>\n<p>So, check if everything is working after the backup before you can call it done. If you have any questions or comments, let us know in the comment section below.<\/p>\n<h2>FAQ<\/h2>\n<div class=\"best-faq\">\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__header\">Does Windows 10\/11 have a backup program?<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__content\">\r\n\t\tYes, Windows 10 has the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) feature in the Control Panel, just like Windows Backup on Windows 11. You can use this feature to back up files or create a full system image. You can use the File History tool to continuously back up selected folders to make sure previous file versions are available.\r\n\t\t\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"best-faq\">\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__header\"> What is the best backup method for Windows 10 and 11?<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__content\">\r\n\t\tThe best backup method depends on your needs. For a simple file backup, File History is convenient. For a full system backup, creating a system image with Backup and Restore (Windows 7) is ideal. Using third-party backup tools can also be effective, offering features like scheduled backups and cloud storage options.\r\n\t\t\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"best-faq\">\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__header\"> How do I transfer everything from my computer to an external hard drive?<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__content\">\r\n\t\tTo transfer files to an external hard drive, connect the drive to your computer, then use File Explorer to select and copy the desired files or folders. For a complete system transfer, use Backup and Restore (Windows 7) to create a system image.\r\n\t\t\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"best-faq\">\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__header\"> Is an external SSD good for backup?<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__content\">\r\n\t\tYes, external SSDs are excellent for backups due to their faster data transfer speeds, enhanced durability, and portability. Although they can be more expensive than traditional hard drives, their performance benefits often outweigh the cost.\r\n\t\t\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"best-faq\">\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__header\"> Why can\u2019t I see my files on the external hard drive after backing up?<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__content\">\r\n\t\tThis issue may occur if the backup was performed using software that stores files in a proprietary format. In this case, you\u2019ll need the same software to view or restore your files. Also, ensure that hidden files are visible and that the drive is formatted correctly for your operating system.\r\n\t\t\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s far more crucial nowadays to have your photos, documents, favorite apps, and even system settings backed up in case something goes wrong. This is the ultimate Windows 10 and 11 backup guide, which will help to keep your system and files safe<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":81725,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[815,863],"tags":[129,1011,585,1045,1047,25],"class_list":["post-33265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-maintenance","category-storage-and-memory","tag-backup","tag-cloud-storage","tag-data-recovery","tag-onedrive","tag-storage","tag-windows-7"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Windows Backup: How to Back Up and Restore Your Apps, Files, and Settings on Windows 10\/11 &#8212; Auslogics Blog | Tips to Diagnose &amp; Resolve Computer Issues<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to back up and restore your apps, files, and settings on Windows 10\/11 with this comprehensive guide!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33265\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Ultimate Guide to Windows 10 Backup and Restore\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to back up and restore your apps, files, and settings on Windows 10\/11 with this comprehensive guide!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-back-up-windows\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Auslogics Blog | Tips to Diagnose &amp; Resolve Computer Issues\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Auslogics\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-01-15T21:00:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-03T00:05:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/shutterstock_311106428-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1128\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1128\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Olusegun Makinwa\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"The Ultimate Guide to Windows 10 Backup and Restore\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Things happen - that&#039;s why it&#039;s essential to have a reliable backup strategy in place. 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