How to backup Windows 11

If you’ve already upgraded your computer to Windows 11, you’re probably enjoying the great window layouts and many improved features.

But as with any version of Windows so far, your system is still vulnerable to malware attacks, hardware failures, update-related issues, and other common issues. One of the best ways to avoid permanent loss of valuable data is to back up important files regularly and store them in a safe place.

Having them on hand allows you to continue using your Windows 11 computer effortlessly once you’ve fixed what was causing your system to malfunction in the first place. There are several ways to backup Windows 11 and we will guide you through all the solutions.

How to backup Windows 11 using OneDrive

When you open an account on Microsoft’s cloud storage service, OneDrive, you get 5GB of free storage. However, many Windows 11 users already use some version of Microsoft Office, which comes with an additional 1TB of storage space.

That makes OneDrive a great location for Windows 11 backup. Plus, since they are both developed by the same company, OneDrive integrates seamlessly into Windows 11. So how do you backup Windows 11 on OneDrive? Here you have all the steps to follow:

1. Press “Win key + I” at the same time. The shortcut opens Windows “Settings.”
   
2. Select “System” followed by “Storage.”
   
3. Click “Advanced Backup Options.”
   
4. Select “Back up files to OneDrive.” It is the first option at the top.
   
5. If you’re not already signed in, you’ll be asked to enter your OneDrive email address and password.
   
6. Follow the on-screen instructions for complete setup.
   
7. A new window will appear asking you to “Manage folder backup.”
   
8. Once you have selected which files to back up, click the “Start Backup” button.
   

By choosing this option, you get the most efficient Windows 11 system backup. The only potential drawback is the limited space. Before you start the file backup, OneDrive will show you precisely how much storage space is left so you can make an informed decision.

For many people, this might not be a problem. But if you need to back up a large amount of data, you may need to purchase more storage space, which is expensive and has limitations on how much you can purchase. Or you can get an external hard drive that meets your needs as another solution.

How to backup Windows 11 using file history

If OneDrive is not a viable backup option for Windows 11 for you, there is another reliable option you can consider. Both Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in backup tool called “File History,” which allows you to save all your files to an external hard drive.

The process is quite simple and requires you to follow the following steps:

1. Connect an external hard drive with sufficient storage.
2. Go to “Settings” followed by “Storage.”
3. Select “Advanced storage settings” and then “Backup options.”
4. Click the “Add a drive” button under the “Back up using file history” option and click the “Add a drive” button.
5. Select your external drive from the dropdown menu.
6. Make sure the “Automatically back up my files” toggle button is “On.”

As long as your external drive is connected, Windows 11 will periodically back up your computer files. However, you can configure your backup preferences to make the process more efficient. That is how:

1. Select “More options” under the “Back up my files automatically” button.
2. A second window will open allowing you to choose custom settings. You can change the default one-hour backup interval to something that works better for you. Like daily backups.
3. Select specific folders that you want to back up.

How to backup Windows 11 using the backup and restore feature

All versions of Windows, including Windows 11, offer “Backup and Restore” as a file maintenance solution. Setting up this form of backup uses the “Control Panel” instead of “Settings” in Windows 11, but the result is the same: your files are backed up and stored safely in an external hard drive.

Here’s everything you need to do:

1. Make sure your external drive is connected and has enough storage space for backup.
2. Go to the “Control Panel” and select the “System and Security” option.
   
3. Select “Backup and Restore (Windows 7)”.
   
4. Click on the “Set Up Backup” option located on the right side of the window.
   
5. Enter your administrator password if prompted.
6. Select your external hard drive from the list of available drives and click “Next.”
   
7. When a new window appears, choose what you want to back up or select the “Let Windows choose (recommended)” option and select “Next.”
   
8. Click the “Save Settings and Run Backup” button in the next window.
   

Please note that the default Windows 11 backup time is Sunday at 7 pm. However, you can change that by clicking the “Change schedule” option before step 8.

Note: Don’t be confused by the “Backup and Restore (Windows 7)” option. It doesn’t mean your Windows 11 is Windows 7 again, but it represents an older Windows backup solution and one that Microsoft is no longer developing. However, for now it still works and is available on Windows 11.

How to backup Windows 11 using system image

While it is vital to back up an important document, music, pictures and videos, you should also think about .ISO files, also known as .ISO images.

These compressed files are crucial for software installations, especially large ones like Microsoft Office. The best way to keep these files safe is to create a system image backup. It will only take a few minutes if you follow the steps below:

1. Click the search button on the Windows 11 taskbar and enter “Control Panel.”
   
2. Start “Control Panel” and select “Backup and Restore (Windows 7)”.
   
3. Select the “Create a system image” option.
   
4. Select where you want to save the files. It is recommended to connect an external drive, but you can also burn a DVD.
   
5. Click Next.”
   

The backup will be ready in no time, but you should make sure to keep the external drive or DVD in a safe place.

How to backup Windows 11 preferences

If you have more than one Windows 11 computer, you can have almost identical settings on both devices with a nifty backup feature.

That is, Windows 11 allows you to back up specific OneDrive folders and have them available on other devices. Additionally, Windows 11 can remember language preferences, passwords, and other settings, so you don’t need to adjust them manually. Finally, with this feature, you can quickly access your apps on any Windows 11 device.

However, you must first follow the following steps on the device from which you are backing up preferences:

1. Go to the Start menu button and select “Settings.”
   
2. Click “Accounts” followed by “Windows Backup.”
   
3. Select the “Remember my preferences” option.
   

You need to make sure you’re signed in to the same Microsoft account on the other Windows 11 computer to access saved preferences.

Additionally, Windows 11 does not allow theme syncing, which is something Windows 10 users still have.

Windows 11 backup made easy

Regardless of which backup solution you think is best for you, what matters is that you don’t forget to do it. When your computer is working properly, it is often very easy to forget about backing up files.

Usually when something happens, panic mode sets in and we regret not backing up the files. Fortunately, with regular backups, Windows 11 users can have the peace of mind they need if they run into any problems.

OneDrive backup is the preferred option for many, but there are other great built-in solutions to consider. Plus, Windows 11 lets you back up preferences, passwords, and more if you use more than one device.