Losing your data is one of the most stressful experiences one can encounter. Picture this: you're casually using your computer when suddenly your hard drive fails. Now what? All your precious data is lost, all your files vanished in an instant. Sounds like a nightmare, doesn't it? Well, I have good news – there's a solution. Thanks to technological advancements, backing up your data has become effortless. Fortunately for you, we've compiled a list of five solutions. Your data can now be retrieved with the best free Windows 11 backup software. Keep reading to uncover the top backup software options available.
After six weeks of human testing, we are now ready to unveil the top five free Windows backup apps. Here are the Windows 11 backup software testing statistics.
Number of backup software tested | 12 |
How long do we test software | 42 days |
What critical backup options do we test | full backup, differential backup, incremental backup, photo/video/many kinds of documents backup, Windows 11 OS backup, HDD/SSD/USB flash drive/SD card backup, file recovery, system recovery, universal restore... |
How do we evaluate the backup software | reliability, ease of use, features, speed, compatibility, support, and cost |
Devices we use | Dell desktop and Lenovo laptop |
Here are the five best backup software options for Windows 11:
Step 1. In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Storage > Advanced Backup options. You'll see the Backup using File History option there.
Step 2. You need to add a drive. Once you've selected a drive, Windows will back up your data in your user folder (C:\Users\username) every hour.
Step 3. Click on the "Add a drive" option, and you'll be prompted to select the external drive that you've connected to your Windows system.
Step 4. You can customize your backup needs by clicking on "More options." This allows you to choose when and how files are backed up. This is how you create a backup using the File History feature.
Related Reading: Top 10 Offline Local Backup Software Recommendations for 2024
Todo Backup is the best free backup software for Windows 11. It simplifies your life tremendously. This tool offers all the features one could ask for. If you're tech-savvy, you'll find this tool a godsend. Here are the main features you get with this tool:
This backup software for Windows 11 enables you to back up your data with a simple tap of your finger. Download and install the tool from the button below, and follow our guide to learn how to backup your data.
Step 1. Click Select backup contents to begin backup.
Step 2. There are four backup categories: File, Disk, OS, and Mail.
Step 3. On the left-hand side, you'll see a list of local and network files. Expand the directories to select the files to be backed up.
Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions and choose where you want to save the backup.
Under Backup Options, click Options to enable password encryption for the backup, set the backup schedule, and decide whether to initiate the backup at a specific event in Backup Scheme. A range of customizable features are available for you to explore, allowing you to tailor the backup process according to your unique needs.
Step 5. Backups can be stored on a local disk, in the tool's cloud service, or on a network-attached storage (NAS) device.
Step 6. Todo Backup lets users back up data to a third-party cloud drive or the company's own cloud storage.
If you want to back up your data to a third-party cloud drive, select Local Drive, scroll down to add Cloud Device, and enter your account information.
Alternatively, you can use the tool's built-in cloud storage service. Click Tool Cloud, create an account with your Tool Account, and then log in.
Step 7. To start a backup, select Backup Now. When the backup process is successfully completed, it will appear as a card on the left panel. Right-click on it for more detailed backup management options.
[2022 Top Choice] 5 Best Backup Software for Small Business
The ideal backup solutions are those that simplify the process for users. This article aims to assist small business owners in discovering the best backup software tailored to their needs.
Acronis True Image's versatile backup options and handy security add-ons are excellent. The service offers many useful features, including full disk backup, version control, file sharing, and folder synchronization. However, it doesn't provide the best value for money in terms of storage cost per GB, and its file upload speed is below average. Here's how you can utilize this tool to back up your data.
Step 1. Launch the Acronis True Image software on your computer. Once the application opens, you'll see the "Backup" option on the left side of the program. Click on it.
Step 2. Choose the Backup Source you prefer. Click the destination drive you want to use to store the backup.
Step 3. Finally, click the "OK" button and select "Backup Now". This is how you back up your data using this Windows 11 backup software.
Paragon Backup and Recovery lacks some crucial features, such as online backup. In other words, it encompasses most of the essential tools required for data storage and the continuous updating of backups.
Step 1. Download and install the software on your computer.
Step 2. Click on the backup source icon and choose what you want to backup.
Step 3. After choosing your backup preference, Backup & Recovery displays a browser unless you chose to back up the entire PC. You can select one or several volumes to back up.
Step 4. Finally, when you are done deciding what you want to backup, click on the "backup now" option to run the backup.
It's a built-in option that you can access by going through the Start menu. However, this feature is specific to Windows 7. In Windows 10, it has been adapted as an optional choice for users who wish to create a backup image.
The advantage of Windows Backup and Restore is that it is a built-in feature. You don't need to pay extra fees for backing up. But the disadvantage is also prominent. It only has limited functions. You can't back up a single file but are only allowed to back up folders. You can't make an incremental backup or a differential backup.
?Further Reading: Everything You Need to Know About Windows 11 Backup and Restore (Windows 7)
We've provided you with five excellent backup software options for Windows 11. Are you eager to find out which one emerges as the winner? Honestly, all these tools are efficient, but there is a clear favorite. After testing them all, we found that Todo Backup stands out as the best free backup software for Windows 11. It simplifies the backup process, offers affordability, and boasts the most advanced features. Not only does it back up your data, but it also performs numerous other tasks. It's a one-stop solution for all your needs.
Windows 11 comes with a built-in backup tool called Backup and Restore (Windows 7). This utility enables you to create backups of your crucial files and folders and restore them when necessary. You can access Backup and Restore through the Control Panel.
Todo Backup enables you to effortlessly back up your computer to an external hard drive in Windows 11 with just a few simple clicks. This program offers a user-friendly, wizard-style interface that guides you through the backup process with ease.