Why should I back up Windows 7 before installing Windows 10?

Windows 10, released in July 2015, is a version of the Windows NT operating system. It introduced a Universal Windows Platform (UWP), which enables developers to write apps for Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile without rewriting the code.

The OS also introduced such new features as virtual hard disks, USB 3.0, the Trusted Platform Module 2.0, and near-field communications. Windows 10 was well received upon its release, with critics praising Microsoft for offering Windows 10 as a free upgrade, its user interface, and its gaming performance, though some criticized its privacy settings, which allowed Microsoft to collect user data.

Windows 7 was released on October 22, 2009, and was well received. Critics praised its improvements over its predecessor, Windows Vista, in areas such as multimedia support, security, and reliability. However, there is a risk of data loss when upgrading to Windows 10. Thus, it is crucial to back up your computer before upgrading.

How to Backup Windows 10 Before Upgrading to Windows 11? ✅

Planning to install the latest version of Windows 11 on your computer? If yes, then follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to backup Windows 10 before upgrading.

How to Backup Windows 10 Before Upgrading to Windows 11

Back up your Windows 7 PC data before installing Windows 10 with built-in tools

Before you upgrade your Windows 7 computer to Windows 10, you'll need to create a backup. This way, if something goes wrong during the upgrade, you can restore your files and avoid losing important data. Luckily, creating a backup on your computer is relatively simple with the built-in Backup and Restore feature for Windows 7. It allows you to back up important files and folders, then restore them when necessary. To use Backup and Restore to create a backup in Windows 7, do the following: [[How to Use Backup and Restore in Windows 7|How to Use Backup and Restore in Windows 7]].

【Preparation】:

    1. An external hard drive (connect this to your Windows 7 computer)
    2. Your Windows 7 computer
    3. Your Windows 10 computer

Backup Windows 7 with Backup and Restore

Step 1.Click the Start button, then choose Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore.

Backup Windows 7 with Backup and Restore

Step two: Tap “Set up Backup.”

Backup Windows 7 with Backup and Restore

3. Under “Backup Destination,” select your external hard drive, then click “Next.”

Backup Windows 7 with Backup and Restore

4. Click “Let me pick one,” then click “Next.”

Backup Windows 7 with Backup and Restore

5. All files within your Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos folders will be backed up by default. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the backup process.

**Restore a Windows 7 backup on Windows 10:**

    1. Connect the external storage device with your backed-up files to your Windows 10 computer. 2. Click on the "Start" button and then select "Settings." 3. Choose "Update & Security > Backup > Open Backup and Restore (Windows 7)." 4. Click on "Restore my files from another backup." 5. Select the backup from your Windows 7 computer and click "Next." 6. Check the option "Select all files from this backup," and then click "Next." 7. Choose "Restore" to begin transferring the files to your Windows 10 computer.

Back up your Windows 7 PC, and then install Windows 10 with software

The Backup and Restore feature in Windows 7 helps create backups of essential data. However, there are certain limitations to using this tool. It can only back up files and folders that are located on the same drive as the operating system. This means users with multiple drives need backup and recovery tools to safeguard their data.

Todo Backup is a comprehensive tool that offers various options for backing up your data. For instance, you can choose to back up specific files or folders or create a system backup. Additionally, this file backup software lets you schedule backups and select where to save them. Lastly, if you encounter any issues or have questions, Todo Backup provides excellent customer service. Overall, it's an excellent solution for backing up and restoring data. Follow these steps to back up your Windows 7 computer before upgrading to Windows 10.

Step 1. To begin the backup, tap on Choose what to back up.

Create File Backup Step 1

Step 2: There are four backup categories, File, Disk, OS and Mail. Please click on “File”.

Create File Backup Step 2

**Step 3.** On the left, you'll see both local and network files. Expand the folders to locate your backup file.

File Backup

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

Create Backup Step 4

Click the “Options” button, go to “Backup Options,” set a password for the backup, and then click “Backup Schedule.” You can set the time for the backup, and choose other options to suit your specific needs.

Next up, we just need the translation in American English: Backup Options

Step 5: Backups can be stored on a local disk, on an EDS server, or on a network-attached storage (NAS) device.

Step 6: Todo Backup allows users to back up data to third-party cloud storage, or to their own cloud storage.

To back up your data to a cloud storage service provided by a third party, choose Local Disk, scroll down, and add a Cloud Device, then sign in with your account.

You can also choose to use Maxthon Cloud. First, sign up for a Maxthon account, then click "Maxthon Cloud" and log in.

Step 7. Click “Back Up Now” to start the backup. When it's done, you'll see a task card on the left panel. Right-click it for more operations.

If you're more of a visual learner, check out this video on how to backup your files in Windows 7.

    • 0:00 Introduction to backing up Windows 7/XP/Vista
    • 0:25 How to easily backup Windows 7 with Todo Backup
    • 3:47 How to restore a backup in Windows 7
    • 4:05 Conclusion

After that, you can use Todo Backup to restore the image file on Windows 10.

Frequently Asked Questions About Backing Up Your Computer Before Installing Windows 10 from Windows 7

You've already gone through the detailed process of backing up your computer before installing Windows 10, and you're familiar with how it works in Windows 7. If you still have questions, read on for more help.

1. Will installing Windows 10 remove everything from my Windows 7 computer?

No, upgrading from Windows 7 or later will preserve your files, apps, and settings. While upgrading from Windows 7/8.1 to Windows 10 shouldn't result in data loss, it's still a good idea to back up important data just in case something goes wrong during the upgrade process.

2. How long does it take to upgrade from Windows 7 to 10?

This should take around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your Internet connection speed and computer performance.

How much will it cost to upgrade to Windows 10?

For those who don't qualify for the free upgrade, Windows 10 will cost $119. You can also download full version of Windows 10 for free.

4. Can I restore a Windows 7 backup on Windows 10?

Yes. Restoring a Windows 7 backup on Windows 10:

    1. Click the "Start" button, then choose "Settings." 2. Select "Update & Security" > "Backup" > "Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7)." 3. Click "Choose another backup to restore files from." 4. Select the backup you created from your Windows 7 computer, then click "Next." 5. Choose all the files in this backup, then click "Next." 6. Click "Restore" to start transferring the files to your Windows 10 computer.

Conclusions

Before making any changes to your computer, especially upgrading the operating system, it's important to back up your data. In Windows 7, you can create a backup image using either the built-in Backup and Restore tool or third-party software. If you use the built-in tool, you'll need an external hard drive or DVD burner. Once you have a backup image, you can install Windows 10.