How to Backup Windows 10 – A Complete Guide

Backing up Windows 10 is a great way to ensure your data is safe and secure. It allows you to create copies of your important files, folders, and settings so that if anything happens to your computer—such as a virus attack or hardware failure—you can easily restore everything to how it was. In other words, backing up can help protect you from data loss.

Set a Storage Device

Before setting up a storage device for a Windows backup, it is important to understand the benefits of having a backup of your important files and data. A backup ensures that your data is safe and secure in case of a system crash or failure, making it possible to recover your files and prevent the loss of valuable information.

When setting up a storage device for backup, several options exist, including external hard drives, network-attached storage (NAS) devices, or cloud storage services. Choosing a storage solution that meets your needs and provides adequate storage capacity, reliability, and security is important.

Before proceeding with the setup process, it is recommended to check the compatibility of your storage device with your Windows operating system and ensure that the device is properly connected and recognized by your computer.

Configure File History in Windows 10

File History is a built-in backup tool in Windows 10 that allows users to automatically save and store multiple versions of their files on an external drive. This feature is particularly useful for those who want to protect their important backup files from accidental deletion or data loss due to system failures. With File History, users can quickly recover previous versions of a file or even restore the entire backup if necessary.

Step 1: Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings.

Step 2: Click Update & Security > Backup> Add a drive. Select the external or removable drive to use as the backup destination.

Step 3: Under Back up using File History, click on More options.

Step 4: Click the Backup my files drop-down menu and select how often you want to back up your files.

Step 5: Click the Keep my backups drop-down menu and choose how long you want to maintain your backed-up files.

Step 6: Scroll down in the Back up these folders section, check the default folders already included in the backup, select the folder you don’t want to back up, then click the Remove button.

Step 7: Scroll down to Exclude these folders section, click the Add a folder button, and from File Explorer, select any folders you don’t want to backup with the File history feature.

Step 8: Click the Back up Now button, and Windows 10 will back up files.

Create a Backup With the System Image Tool on Windows 10

The System Image Tool is a built-in utility in Windows 10 that allows users to create an image of their entire system, including the operating system, drivers, applications, and personal files. This image can restore the whole system to its original state in case of a system failure or data loss. The System Image Tool can be accessed through the Control Panel or Windows Backup and Restore, and the image can be stored on an external hard drive, network location, or CD/DVD.

The tool offers a convenient and reliable way to protect your data and ensure the smooth operation of your system. By creating a system image, you can avoid the time-consuming process of reinstalling the operating system and applications and get your system up and running quickly in case of any issues.

Step 1: Open the Start menu and type control panel.

Step 2: Open the Control panel app.

Step 3: Click File History.

Step 4: In the File History window, click on System Image Backup.

Step 5: Click the Create a system image link in the Backup and Restore windows.

Step 6: Select the On a hard disk option.

Step 7: Click the drop-down menu and select the location to export the Windows 10 full backup.

Step 8: Click the Next button > Start backup button.

Step 9: Select the No > Close button.

Note: You will see a prompt to create a system repair disc; you can skip it because most computers nowadays no longer have an optical drive. If you need to restore the device, you can use a USB Installation Media to access Windows Recovery Environment (WinRe).

Backup Windows 10 With Backup and Restore Utility

The Backup and Restore utility in Windows 10 is a feature that allows users to create a backup of their important files, save backups, documents, and system settings, and restore them in the event of data loss or system failure. The Backup and Restore utility is accessible through the Control Panel and offers a simple and user-friendly interface for creating and managing backups.

This tool allows users to create a full system image or select specific files and folders to backup and choose where the backup will be stored, such as an external hard drive, network location, or OneDrive. In a system crash or data loss, users can restore their system and data to a previous state using the backup created with Backup and Restore.

Step 1: Open the Start menu and type control panel.

Step 2: Open the Control panel app.

Step 3: Click on Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 4: Click on Set up backup.

Step 5: Select the external drive where you want to save file backup and click the Next button.

Step 6: Select Let Windows choose (recommended) and click Next.

Step 7: You can change your schedule backups by clicking Change Schedule.

Step 8: Check the Run backup on a schedule (recommended) box.

Step 9: Select How often, What day, and What time you want the system to backup, and click the OK button to save.

Step 10: Lastly, click Save settings and run backup.

Create System Repair Disc

A System Repair Disc, a boot or recovery disk, is a bootable CD, DVD, or USB drive used to start a computer and restore or repair the operating system in case of system failure or other issues. The repair disc contains diagnostic tools, system recovery options, and other useful resources that can help resolve common problems and get the computer back to its normal functioning state.

This disc is particularly useful when the computer cannot start or the installed operating system malfunctions. It’s an essential tool for all computer users, as it can help recover important data and get the computer back up and running quickly and easily.

Step 1: Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings.

Step 2: Click Update & Security > Backup

Step 3: Click Go to backup and restore Windows 7

Step 4: Click on Create a system repair disc.

Step 5: Follow on-screen instructions.

Create System Image Backup to Network Drive

By saving the system image to a network drive, you can easily access it from any device connected to the same network, providing protection and convenience.

Step 1: Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings.

Step 2: Click Update & Security > Backup

Step 3: Click Go to backup and restore Windows 7

Step 4: Click the Create a system image link in the Backup and Restore windows.

Step 5: Select On a network location and click the Select button.

Step 6: Confirm the network path to the shared folder and the Network credentials, and click the OK and Next buttons.

Step 7: Confirm which areas or partitions of your hard drive will be included in the image file, then click the Start backup button.

Once the steps are finished, the tool will generate a backup image in the folder designated by the user. It is important to note that since the backup creation occurs through a network, it may take an extended period to complete the process.

Manage Space on Your External Storage Device

Managing space on an external storage device is important for ensuring your device continues functioning efficiently and effectively. With the increasing amount of data that backup store on these devices, it’s crucial to keep track of the available space and take steps to free up space when necessary. Whether using an external hard drive, flash drive, or another storage device, managing your space can help you avoid running out of room for your important files and documents.

Step 1: Open Settings > Update & Security > Backup.

Step 2: Click Go to backup and restore Windows 7.

Step 3: Click the Manage Space link.

Step 4: Click View Backups in the Data file backup section.

Step 5: You will see the complete list of file backups. Select the previous or old backup data and click the Delete button.

Step 6: Next, click on Change settings in the System image section.

Step 7: Choose to Keep only the latest system image and minimize space used by backup option to free up more space and click the OK button.

Restore Specific Files and Folders

Restoring specific files and folders is a common task when dealing with data loss or system failures. It allows you to recover only the necessary files and folders instead of restoring an entire system image or backup. This process can be time-saving and cost-effective, as it only requires recovering the specific files and folders you need.

Step 1: Open Backup and Restore (Windows 7) and click Restore my files.

Step 2: In the Restore Files window, click the Browse for Files button.

Step 3: Select specific files you want to restore and click the Add files button.

Step 4: Next, click Browse for folders, select the specific folders you want to restore, click Add folders, then click the Next button.

Step 5: Choose where to restore your files, click the Restore button, then Finish.

Step 6: Windows 10 will restore the specific files and folders to the selected backup location.

Restore Windows From System Image When You’re Able to Access Windows 10

Step 1: Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings.

Step 2: Click on Update & Security > Recovery.

Step 3: Click the Restart Now button in the Advanced Startup section.

Step 4: Click on Troubleshoot > System Image Recovery in the advanced settings screen.

Step 5: Select the system image you want to restore.

Restore Windows From System Image When You Can’t Access Windows 10

Step 1: Connect the drive with your backup files.

Step 2: Insert the Windows 10 USB bootable drive into the computer.

Step 3: Start your computer and press any key to continue.

Note: If the device does not start in the Windows Setup wizard, the device must be configured to boot from a USB drive. You must enter the BIOS and reconfigure the boot order if this isn’t the case. Since this differs on most computers, check your manufacturer support website for specific details.

Step 4: In the Windows setup screen, click the Next button.

Step 5: Click Repair your computer.

Step 6: Select Troubleshoot. In the Advanced options, choose System Image Recovery.

Step 7: Choose Windows 10 as the target operating system.

Step 8: In the Re-image your computer screen, select Use the latest available system image option and click the Next button.

If you have multiple backup copies and wish to restore an older version of your system and files, you can choose the Select a system image option.

Step 9: Choose additional restore options:

Optional: Check the Format and repartition disks box if you are restoring the backup files in a new drive.

Optional: Check the Only restore system drives box if your backup has multiple copies of drives and you only want to restore the operating system.

Step 10: Click the Next then the Finish button.

Restore Files Using File History

Step 1: Open Windows Settings> Update & Security> Backup> More Options.

Step 2: Scroll to the bottom of the File History screen and click on Restore files from a current backup.

Windows will display all the folders backed up by File History.

Step 3: In the File History window, select the backup data files you want to restore and click restore files (Green button)

How to Run a Manual File History Backup and Stop It

Open Windows Settings > Backup > Backup options > Back Up Now button

If you want to stop file history from making backups, toggle off Automatically back up my files.

Restore Files Using File Explorer

File Explorer is a built-in Windows 10 operating system tool that allows you to manage and access your files and folders. It can also be used to restore files from a backup or system image. This can be a convenient method for restoring specific files and folders, as you do not need additional software.

Step 1: Press Win + E to open File Explorer.

Step 2: Select the desired file and click the History tab.

Step 3: Select the version you want to restore and click the Restore icon.

Secure Your Data With Windows 10 Backup

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your essential data is safe and accessible even during a computer crash, virus attack, or accidental deletion, whether you use the built-in Windows 10 backup tools, third-party software, or a combination of both, back up your files to a secure location regularly. With the peace of mind that comes from having a reliable backup system, you can use your computer confidently and focus on your work or leisure activities.