Backup of all your data and files from your computer’s main hard disk to a secondary location should be done regularly. For example, data should back up into the cloud or be stored on a hard drive. A PC running Windows 11 can do various sorts of backups. Your data is maintained.
Importance of a backup
One of the many reasons contributing to data loss is the failure of file systems crashes. Additional backups such as cloud computing help maintain the computer system. Files can be readily available and then you can access them from any location using the internet. In case of a power failure, data can recover and it makes sure the hard drive of the computer is protected. Hard drives malfunction when corrupted or destroyed, therefore you should have your data safeguarded and backed up.
Computer crashes occur due to the failure of the operating system, because of faulty memory allocation, software instability, and various application failures. Viruses and malware can also harm your operating system so you should make sure that your backup secures all your data from potential threats.
On Windows 11, classes of backups are twofold: file backups and image backups. The latter group safeguards your whole hard disk, whereas file backups safeguard your particular folders and data.
Image backups
An ISO file is created for each folder, file, and application when performing an image backup. It is then moved to another storage device. This includes your Windows 11 settings. The image backup option, as the name indicates, captures an image of every item on the chosen hard disk, compresses it together into a single file, and then transmits it to a different place. The Control Panel carries out this process. Reformating the hard drive is necessary if you back up to an external hard drive. You should know that when you reformat a drive it will erase existing stored data on that drive.
You’ll do image backups within the computer’s Control Panel. When you are using an external hard disk for backups, then first, you’ll have to format that hard drive again. Remember that formatting a drive again will wipe out any prevailing data on that hard disk, so we endorse transferring files on the chosen drive to the computer before the process.
Follow the steps to perform an image backup:
- Open the Control Panel, press Backup, and Restore.
- Press on Create a system image.
- Go to the window that comes next, and specify the place to which the backup for the image will be transmitted.
- Press Next and select the disks you want to backup, then press Next to start the backup.
File Backups
Rather than backing up the whole system altogether, you can pick the files and data folders you want to back up. Unfortunately, file backups don’t contain Windows settings. When you want to restore a backup of a file but the system crashes, Windows might need to be reinstalled. Photos, videos, and other media can be easily backed up through a file backup. Before carrying out a file backup, the hard drive should be in the relevant file format.
Transfer manually
Repositioning files manually is most likely the most popular method of backing up Windows 11 files and media. And, folders also can be backed up in the same way. It is a great method for backing up fewer files. If you need to transfer a larger quantity of data, this isn’t the greatest technique because big files take a longer time to transmit.
Follow the steps to manually transfer files:
- Plug an external hard disk into your device
- Click twice the “This PC” icon on the desktop
- To open an external hard disk, locate it in the menu under “Devices and drives” area and double-click it.
- Using Ctrl+N, launch the window for File Explorer and go to the file location or folder location.
- Choose all the files and folders you want to backup, then press Ctrl+C for copying the copied data to the clipboard.
- Ctrl+V in the external drive’s window for File Explorer to it
File History
The File History option in Windows 11 is a terrific method to make sure all your data backs up, as it does every work on your behalf. It routinely backs up every file location you have specified. You can modify and maintain the file system and ensure everything is backed up and maintained. You can choose how many saved copies you wish to maintain. Remember File History only does backups to files to folders within C: Usersusername>.
Follow the steps for this procedure:
- Type File History after clicking the Windows button.
- A window will appear in which you can choose the drive where the files should be saved. With OK and Yes, proceed to the next steps.
- Select an existing backup if only the backup for the file history was performed on selfsame disk, previously.
OneDrive (cloud)
OneDrive and other storage which are cloud-based privileges are effective ways to back up data through an internet connection. The procedure is easy to follow. Find and choose the files, media, and folders you wish to save to OneDrive. When chosen, right-click and choose OneDrive, followed by Move to OneDrive. Files stored in OneDrive are accessible at all times and can be shared. It also supports multimedia and data is secured. OneDrive gives its users a trustworthy file backup experience.
Windows 11 backup recovery
Recovering from an image backup
- Go to Settings and press Restore after scrolling down.
- Press Restart.
- After the restart is complete, press the icon for Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options and press See more recovery options.
- Go to System Image Recovery.
- Finally, press Select system image, then press Next and proceed.
Recovering from a file backup
Transfer manually
When repositioning each file individually, you should first copy the data from the storage media in backups and drop the same into the place where you want to recover it.
File History
- Open Control Panel and go to File History
- Press Restore personal files and go through file details until you find the backup date of the file you want to recover.
- Choose the files, then left-click the green-colored refresh option to transfer the files to their original location
- You’ll see a green colored refresh button. Left-click it to restore your files in the original location.
- To recover that to a different location, right-click the mouse on the green-colored refresh button.
- Press Restore
Conclusion
Data loss happens in many forms and we should be prepared for the worst. Always make sure that your PC is running well and that Windows 11 is stable. Microsoft is frequently updating its applications and you should make no viruses or malware are running in the background. All the above methods will ensure that data is backed up well. Take note of everything you require before backing up your data, as sometimes it might be difficult to recover your data if the backup is not performed successfully. Hard drives and the cloud are the best and most effective methods of backing up all of your data. A daily system checkup is essential if you are continuously working with your device all day. Additionally, an antivirus guard may also help back up your data, and it is securing your file system.