Backing up data is essential for every computer user, regardless of whether you use it for professional or personal reasons. You should regularly create backups of your data to ensure its safety in case your computer encounters any problems.

Windows provides several options to achieve this task. Recently, a new Windows Backup app has emerged. If you're unaware of the Windows backup app in the Windows 10 cumulative update KB5029331, continue reading. This guide from tools will demonstrate how to back up a Windows 11 PC using this built-in application.

What Is the Windows Backup App & How to Download It

It is a specific application designed for backing up data from Windows on your device. As a Windows user, you are likely familiar with Microsoft apps and basic functionalities. In Windows 10 and 11, the publisher has introduced various new features for users to enjoy.

The recently added Windows backup app is a specific feature introduced in the update KB5029331, which comes with several new functionalities. The most notable feature of this update is that it allows users to back up their data securely and efficiently.

In simple terms, this update enables Windows users to store their data in a backup storage. Consequently, even if you lose your computer or need to reinstall Windows due to a technical issue, your data will remain safe and accessible.

There's no need to download a separate Windows backup app since it is already included in your Windows computer. Acquiring a Windows backup application is straightforward, as long as you're logged in with a Microsoft account. If you're already signed in, simply follow these steps:

Step 1. Click on the "Start" icon.

Step 2. Go to "All Apps."

Step 3. Locate the "Windows Backup" option to launch the application.

Windows Backup App

To access the backup features of this application, you need to follow these three steps. The subsequent sections will guide you on how to use this application and seamlessly back up files or data without encountering any issues.

How to Use the Windows Backup App on Windows 11/10 The Windows Backup App is a built-in tool in Windows 11 and 10 that lets users back up their crucial files and system settings. This walkthrough will show you how to use the Windows Backup App to safeguard your data. 1. **Open Backup Settings:** - Click the Start button, then hit "Settings" (the gear icon). - In the Settings window, click on "Update & Security." - From the left side, select "Backup." 2. **Connect a Backup Drive:** - Plug in an external hard drive or USB with ample storage for your backup. - Make sure it's formatted using the NTFS file system, as that's compatible with Windows. 3. **Set Up Backup:** - Under "Back up using File History," click "More options." - If it's your first backup, you'll see "Add a drive." Click it and pick the connected drive from the list. 4. **Choose What to Backup:** - In File History settings, pick which folders and libraries to include in your backup. - By default, it has Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos. Add or remove folders by tapping "Include a folder" or "Remove a folder." 5. **Schedule Backups:** - To enable automatic backups, head back to the main Backup screen and toggle on "Automatically back up my files." - Under "Advanced options," you can adjust the frequency and timing. 6. **Run a Manual Backup:** - For an immediate backup, click "Back up now" on the Backup main page. 7. **View and Restore Backup:** - If you need to restore files, return to "Backup" settings and click "Restore files" under "More options." - Follow the prompts to find the specific file or folder you want to restore. 8. **Monitor Backup Progress:** - While backing up, you'll get a notification in the action center. Click it for more details. 9. **Manage Backup Settings:** - You can always revisit Backup settings to switch the backup drive, modify included folders, or tweak backup frequency. 10. **Turn Off Backup:** - To stop using the Windows Backup App, disable "Automatically back up my files" to turn off automatic backups. Remember, it's vital to back up your data regularly to guard against unexpected data loss. The Windows Backup App provides a dependable way to keep your files secure.

The process of data backup in Windows 10/11 using this built-in application is identical. Hence, we have combined the discussion here. Essentially, there are four straightforward stages to back up data from Windows, encompassing app settings and credentials.

Part 1. Adjust Necessary Settings

Firstly, you need to initiate the Windows Backup feature and modify its settings. Follow these steps to accomplish this: 1. Click on the 'Start' button or press the Windows key on your keyboard. 2. Type "Control Panel" in the search bar and open it. 3. In the Control Panel, select "System and Security." 4. Under the "System and Security" section, click on "Backup and Restore." 5. In the Backup and Restore window, click on the "Set up backup" option. 6. Now, choose the location where you want to save your backups. You can opt for an external hard drive, a network location, or a USB drive. 7. Select the drives you wish to back up. You can choose to back up the entire system drive or just specific folders and files. 8. Customize your backup settings if needed. For instance, you can choose to include or exclude certain file types, set up a schedule for automatic backups, or enable the "Save copies of files with earlier versions" option. 9. Review your settings and ensure they meet your requirements. 10. Finally, click on "Save settings and exit" or "Start backup" to begin the initial backup process. Remember, creating a backup is crucial for data protection, so make sure to periodically update your backups to stay protected against potential data loss.

Step 1. Go to "Settings" on your system.

 Go to Settings

Step 2. Search for "Accounts" or type it in the search box.

look for Account

Step 3. Locate the "Windows backup" option and click on it.

Step 4. Toggle on the buttons beside "Remember my apps" and "Remember my preferences."

click the buttons

In this phase, all you need to do is save the settings. By doing so, you have activated the Windows Backup app with the required configurations.

Part 2. Utilize the Windows Backup Application

Now, you can utilize this backup application to securely save your file settings. Here's how to achieve this: 1. Download and install the backup app on your device. 2. Launch the app and grant it the necessary permissions to access your files and settings. 3. Navigate to the "Backup" or "Settings" section within the app. 4. Select the option to initiate a new backup. 5. Choose the specific files or settings you wish to back up, or opt for a full system backup if the option is available. 6. Tap on "Start Backup" or a similar button to commence the process. 7. Wait for the backup to complete. This may take some time depending on the amount of data being backed up. 8. Once finished, the app should notify you that the backup is complete. 9. It's advisable to verify the backup by checking the saved files or settings within the app. 10. To ensure safety, consider storing the backup on an external drive or cloud service for additional security. By following these steps, you'll have successfully backed up your file settings and can restore them when needed.

Step 1. Search for "Windows Backup" in the search box.

search for Windows Backup

Step 2. A new window will appear with the Windows Backup settings.

Step 3. Select what you want to back up by clicking on the list of available options.

Step 4. Set up your OneDrive account as your cloud storage for secure data storage.

Once you have completed this step, you are ready to move on to the next one.

Part 3. Begin Backing Up Data

Once you've chosen what you want to backup from Windows, simply click the "Back up" button. This will initiate the process and instruct Windows to save the designated folder to your Microsoft account.

click the Back up button

Remember, it'll back up everything from the folders you've picked, including the app's settings and passwords. So, we recommend double-checking your settings page before moving forward.

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What Are the Limitations of the Windows Backup Application

Undoubtedly, utilizing the built-in backup feature in Windows is a convenient choice for data backup. However, it does have certain limitations that make it inadequate for many users. For instance, you cannot backup all the contents of your computer, and there's no option to back up files to the Cloud.

The main limitation is that you cannot have custom selections for the backed-up folder. This means you must either choose the entire folder or exclude it entirely; there is no option to backup specific files within the folder. Secondly, the app does not allow for the restoration of just a few select folders or files. You can only restore the whole folder, which might not always be necessary.

Lastly, it only supports personal Microsoft accounts. In other words, you won't be able to use the Windows backup features on your work or school accounts. This is the most significant limitation that prevents many Windows users from utilizing this new feature.

Better Approach: Utilizing Professional Backup Software

As previously mentioned, the Windows backup application has several limitations, rendering it inadequate for users. Likewise, other backup functionalities such as Backup and Restore and File History also possess numerous restrictions. For instance, they allow you to revert the computer to an earlier state, sacrificing the most recently stored files. This means you would lose the files saved on your system prior to or after the synchronization.

In such a scenario, you require professional backup software like Todo Backup. This backup utility allows you to create data backups and store them in Cloud storage. Put simply, you can effortlessly restore your data whenever necessary, even if you lose your device.

Another aspect that makes it suitable for professional use is its intelligent backup feature and the ability to create a scheduled backup. It only backs up files and folders that contain data, avoiding the transfer of empty folders to cloud storage. This conserves space for more important files and folders. Below, we've outlined some key features of this backup program. Notably, it offers 250GB of free cloud storage.

As you can observe, it is the most outstanding software available for Windows backup purposes. We highly recommend downloading and utilizing this software on your device to ensure secure data storage. Here's a guide on how to back up your Windows using Todo Backup tools: 1. Download Todo Backup software from a reliable source. 2. Install the software on your Windows device by following the on-screen instructions. 3. Launch the application once the installation is complete. 4. Select "Backup" from the main menu to initiate the backup process. 5. Choose the type of backup you want to perform, such as "System Backup," "Disk Backup," "Partition Backup," or "File Backup," depending on your needs. 6. In the next step, select the items you wish to back up. For instance, if you chose "System Backup," the software will automatically include essential system files. If you opted for "File Backup," browse and choose specific files or folders. 7. Specify a destination location for your backup. You can opt for an external hard drive, network location, or cloud storage (if supported). 8. Configure any additional settings, such as compression level, encryption, or scheduling backups for future automation. 9. Finally, click on "Backup Now" to start the backup process. The software will create a snapshot of your selected data and save it to the designated location. 10. Once the backup is completed, you'll receive a notification. It's advisable to periodically update your backups to ensure the latest data is secure. By following these steps, you can effectively use Todo Backup to protect your important Windows data.

Step 1. Launch Todo Backup on your computer, and click Create Backup on the home screen. Then, hit the big question mark to select backup contents.

backup outlook mail step1

Step 2. To back up your Windows operating system, click "OS" to start the backup task.

backup outlook mail step2

Step 3. Your Windows operating system information and all system-related files and partitions will be automatically selected, so you don't need to make any manual selections here. Next, you need to choose a location to save the system image backup by clicking on the indicated area.

system backup

Step 4. The backup location can be another local drive on your computer, an external hard drive, network, cloud, or NAS. Generally, we recommend using an external physical drive or cloud to store your system backup files.

backup outlook mail step4

Step 5. If interested, you can access customization settings such as enabling an automatic backup schedule for daily, weekly, monthly intervals, or upon specific events. You can also set up differential and incremental backups by clicking on the Options button. Once done, click "Backup Now". The Windows system backup process will commence. Upon completion, the finished backup task will be displayed on the left side in a card format.

backup outlook mail step 5

Bonus Tip: How to Force Uninstall the Windows Backup App If you're experiencing issues with the Windows Backup app and need to remove it forcibly, follow these steps: 1. **Open the Command Prompt as an Administrator:** - Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard. - Click on "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" from the menu that appears. 2. **Execute the DISM command:** - In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter: ``` DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth ``` - This command will repair any corrupted system files that might be causing issues. 3. **Use the PowerShell to uninstall the app:** - Close the Command Prompt and right-click the Start button. - Select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" or "PowerShell (Admin)". - In the PowerShell window, type the following command to get the app's package name: ``` Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.WindowsBackup | Select-Object PackageFullName ``` - Note down the package name displayed in the output. 4. **Uninstall the app using the package name:** - Replace "PackageFullName" in the command below with the actual package name you got from the previous step, then run the command: ``` Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers -PackageName ``` 5. **Confirm the uninstallation:** - You may be prompted for confirmation before the uninstallation proceeds. Type "Y" and press Enter to confirm. 6. **Reboot your computer:** - After the uninstallation is complete, restart your PC for the changes to take effect. Keep in mind that forcing the uninstallation of a built-in app like Windows Backup might cause unforeseen issues. If you encounter problems after removing it, you may need to reinstall it or seek further assistance.

Numerous users have encountered issues when attempting to uninstall the Windows backup app, as the system restricts this action. If you wish to dispose of this application, follow these straightforward steps to successfully remove the Windows Backup app:

Step 1. Proceed to the search bar and type "PowerShell."

Step 2. Click on "Windows PowerShell."

Click "Windows PowerShell". click Windows PowerShell

Step 3. Execute the following command: "Remove-WindowsPackage -Online -PackageName "Microsoft-Windows-UserExperience-Desktop-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10.0.19041.3393"

run the command

Step 4. Type "Y" in the terminal to reboot the system

It will remove this particular backup application along with a few other general programs from your system. Don't worry; your system will continue to function smoothly, as it won't have any significant impact on the overall performance of your PC.

To conclude or finalize matters

In the preceding blog, we have thoroughly examined the Windows Backup app. We are confident that you have gained substantial knowledge on how to utilize this application and secure your data. However, it is quite possible that you may encounter limitations that prevent you from fully utilizing it.

We recommend utilizing the Todo Backup tool for efficient results. This backup software allows you to retrieve your data even in the event of system errors. You can restore files or data even after changing your system or computer. Download and give it a try!

Frequently Asked Questions about Windows Backup App

1. Does Windows 10 come with a backup application?

Indeed, Windows 10 comes equipped with backup applications that allow you to back up files, folders, applications, and documents from your system. For instance, you have options such as Backup and Restore (Windows 7), File History, and the Windows Backup app at your disposal.

2. What is the optimal backup strategy for Windows 10?

The optimal backup strategy for Windows 10 involves utilizing the Todo Backup program. This utility allows you to back up individual files, folders, or even entire disks. As a result, you can ensure that no file is lost, even in the event of any issues affecting your computer's functionality.

3. How do I back up my entire computer?

You can back up the entire computer by following these straightforward steps.

    1. Navigate to the search bar and launch "Windows Backup". 2. Enable the toggle switch next to each option, such as Pictures, Desktop, Videos, etc. 3. Click on the "Backup" button.

It will back up your entire computer instead of specific folders and files.