How To Perform Windows 11/10 System Backup?

Creating a system backup is quite a healthy practice. It helps your system recover from many crises, such as system failure, drive errors, operating system corruption, etc. This post will share how you can take a Windows 11/10 System Backup.

How To Perform Windows 11/10 System Backup?

You must understand that Backup is a preventive measure. However, if you are already stuck in a problem without backup, DiskPart commands can come in handy to fix them. Windows 11/10 provides a few ways to perform the backup, but they are hidden in the settings.

Windows Backup

Microsoft has been working on streamlining the integration of OneDrive backup capabilities in Windows, and with Windows 11, they’ve achieved it to a greater extent. The Windows backup feature can be accessed from the Windows settings and can sync your directories and other selected folders with your OneDrive. Once the folders and directories are synced to OneDrive, you can restore them anytime if you lose access. Here’s how to do it:

• Open Windows settings by pressing the Windows+I keys on your keyboard and head to the Accounts section from the left pane.
• In the Accounts section, open Windows Backup. In the OneDrive Folder Syncing option, click the Set up syncing button.

• Now, you will be asked to sign in to your OneDrive, enter your Outlook email address, and proceed with signing in.

• Once the sign-in is completed, a few folders are selected by default. You can only backup files from select directories: Apps, Desktop, Pictures, Documents, and Videos.

• If you wish to back up any specific folders and want them to restore automatically when OneDrive is connected, consider moving those files or folders to these directories.

• To select folders, click on the OneDrive icon on the taskbar, and then click on the cog icon, and then on Settings.
• In the OneDrive settings, click the Manage backup button, and then select the folders you want to include in the backup.

Backup using File History

The File History option of Windows 11/10 allows you to back up the files and documents in the system’s Libraries, i.e., Documents, Pictures, Music, etc. You have to select an external drive for the backup.

Follow these steps to set up File History.

1. In the Windows search box, please search for the Settings and open it.
2. Go to Update & Security
3. From the left pane, choose Backup
4. Now, click on the Add a drive, and select the desired drive for the backup purpose.

Backup using Backup and Restore (Windows 7)

The old Backup and Restore feature of Windows 7 is back in Windows 11/10 after Microsoft removed it from Windows 8.1. The Backup and Restore (Windows 7) tool of Windows 11/10 allows you to restore any old Windows 7 backups on the Windows 11/10 system. However, you can also use the tool for backing up the Windows 11/10 PC precisely as you backed up the Windows 7.

Unlike the File History method, Backup and Restore (Windows 7) can be used to back up any folders or files. Here are the steps to configure it.

1. Please search for the Control Panel in the Windows search box and open it.
2. Change the View by setting it from the top-right of the Control Panel interface. Please set it to Large icons or Small icons.
3. Now select Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
4. 
5. Click on the “Set up backup” to begin Windows backup.
6. Choose the drive where you want to store your backup and click next.
7. Now, you can choose what you like to back up. You can let Windows decide what to backup or manually select the specific folders and files for backup.
8. Next, in the last step, you would be given a choice to schedule the backup as per your preference.
9. Set the schedule, and then click on Save settings and run backup.

Creating a System Image Backup

In the Backup and Restore (Windows 7), you would also find the option to create a System Image. This option lets you create an exact image of your system, i.e., the whole system backup. Everything would be backed up on personal files, system apps, installed apps, and system folders. In case of a hard disk failure or any other problem, you must restore the image. That’s it.

Here is the procedure to create a system image.

1. Open the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) from the Control Panel. Refer to the previous method for the steps to reach there.
2. From the left pane, click on Create a system image.
3. A new window would be opened, allowing you to select the location to save the backup. You can select a system partition, external hard disk, DVD, or a Network Location. Choose your preferred option and click next.
4. Now select which system partition you would like to backup. You can choose one or multiple drives. Click Next to continue.
5. In the next step, verify the chosen drives for backup and click on Start backup.

Creating a system image seems an excellent option for a complete backup. However, it has certain limitations.

• You require a hard drive with a larger space for the entire device backup.
• The backup process is relatively slow. It may require an overnight for the completion.
• In the case of restoration, you can’t restore an individual file or folder from the image. It is either complete restoration or nothing.

Final Words

So, these are the top ways to perform a backup in Windows 11/10. It is essential to create a system backup, as sometimes the worst can happen with your pc. You can’t take the gamble of keeping your necessary documents and files on a single system. Apart from these built-in Windows 11/10 backup options, you can also use third-party backup tools if required. Another option is a Cloud Backup such as OneDrive.