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.

Top 5 Free Windows 11 Backup Software in 2022

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:

    1. Windows 11 File History - An integrated method for backing up your data in Windows. 2. AOMEI Backupper Standard - A powerful software to backup your data. 3. Acronis True Image Free 4. Paragon Backup and Recovery Free 5. Windows Backup and Restore - A built-in Windows feature for backing up your data.

1. Windows 11 File History

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.

Backup using file history

Related Reading: Top 10 Offline Local Backup Software Recommendations for 2024

2. Tools Todo Backup Free

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.

create file backup step1

Step 2. There are four backup categories: File, Disk, OS, and Mail.

create file backup step2

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.

File backup

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions and choose where you want to save the backup.

File backup step4

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.

Backup options

Step 5. Backups can be stored on a local disk, in the tool's cloud service, or on a network-attached storage (NAS) device.

file backup step4

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.

backup to tools cloud

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.

File backup step7

related articles

[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.

backup software for small business

3. Acronis True Image Free

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.

Backup with Acronis

4. Paragon Backup and Recovery Free

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.

Backup with Paragon

5. Windows Backup and Restore

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)

Conclusion

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.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Free Windows 11 Backup Software

Yes, Windows 11 includes a built-in backup program called "File History." This feature allows you to back up your files and documents to an external storage device or a network location. It automatically saves versions of your files, so you can recover them if they get lost, damaged, or accidentally deleted. To access File History in Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Backup.

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.

How do I back up my computer to an external hard drive on Windows 11?

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.