How to Backup C Drive on Windows 11 [Ultimate Guide for 2024]

The main takeaways

• ✅ Drive C, typically the system drive for the Windows operating system, is used to store data such as settings, system files, and installed programs.
• ✅ Backing up Drive C is essential because it can be vulnerable to viruses and malware or may lead to system unbootability due to hard disk failures.
• ✅ Todo Backup is a reliable Windows backup software that allows for easy and hassle-free backup of Drive C on Windows 11 in just a few steps.

Is it necessary to back up the C drive to an external hard drive?

Typically, the C drive is the default system disk that stores crucial data for your computer or laptop, including the Windows operating system, system-related files, settings, installed applications, configuration files, logs, and more.

If your hard drive fails or your machine gets hit by a virus or malware and you don't have a backup of your C drive, you lose everything, and have to start over from scratch.

When the C drive becomes damaged or infected with malware, a backup on an external disk can restore it to its previous working state. Moreover, because of its portability, a bootable C-drive backup allows you to access your system on another device if your own C drive is compromised.

More reading: Backup Windows 11 to External Hard Drive | Backup C Drive to OneDrive

3 Effective Ways to Back Up C Drive in Windows 11/10/8/7

Having understood the significance and necessity of backing up your C drive, let's delve into some specific solutions for conducting backups effectively. There are multiple ways to create a backup of your C drive, and we will focus on three common methods: using third-party software, Windows Backup and Restore, and the Command Prompt.

Here, we recommend using third-party software, such as the easy-to-use and secure tool, Todo Backup, which is a popular choice for most Windows users to perform the conversion without data loss.

Method 1️⃣: The Easiest Way to Backup C Drive in Windows 11?

As mentioned, Todo Backup Free is a reliable and professional Windows backup tool that allows you to easily and freely back up C drive to an external hard drive.

A Todo Backup tool compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7 can back up your C drive by creating a system image. It also offers various advanced backup features, such as scheduled backup, compressed backup, and incremental and differential backup.

In addition to system disks, this free software can back up files, disks, games, and applications to various locations, including hard drives, cloud storage services, and NAS devices.

When creating a system image, it defaults to selecting the C drive and any other system-related partitions.

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Step 1: Run the Todo Backup software and click “Create Backup” on the home screen, then click “Select backup contents”.

Step 2: Click on "System" to start the backup from the four options available.

Step 3: The system partition will be selected automatically, and you only need to choose the location.

Step 4. You can choose to save the backup file on your local drive, cloud storage, or NAS. You can also connect an external hard drive to save the system backup.

Step 5: You can customize the settings in the “Options” on the bottom left. Then, click on “Back Up Now” to start the backup process.

* After the backup is complete, you can right-click on the backup task on the left to check its status, recover, open, or delete the backup.

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Method 2️⃣: Use Windows Backup and Restore to Back Up Drive C

If you don't want to install third-party software, Windows 11 also includes Backup and Restore, which can create a system image.

Step One: Type “Control Panel” into the search box, open it, and then find “Backup and Restore (Windows 7).”

Step 2. Click on Create a system image on the left.

Step 3. In the popup window, choose where you want to save your C drive backup. You can choose an external hard drive, a CD/DVD, or a network location. Click Next to proceed.

Select the backup location

Step 4: In the new window, C drive and other system-related hidden partitions should be selected by default. Check to make sure, then click Next to proceed.

Step 5: Review and confirm your backup settings, including the source disk partitions and the destination, then click “Start Backup” to perform the task.

Method 3️⃣: Backing Up Drive C via Command Prompt

If you're comfortable with computers and coding, you can also use the Command Prompt to back up the C drive in Windows 11.

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run command. Type cmd, then click OK to open the Command Prompt. Alternatively, you can search for cmd in the search bar and select the Run as administrator option.

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type the following command, and then press Enter.

Replace the backupTarget portion with your C drive.

Note that this will only back up one partition at a time. If your system is spread across multiple partitions, you will need to run this command for each one to create a complete system backup.

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This article will show you how to back up your C drive on Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7. The blog covers three methods, and you can choose the one you like.

Todo Backup is our top recommendation due to its simplicity and user-friendly interface. This powerful and professional backup tool makes various backup tasks a breeze. Download it now and enjoy a free backup of your data!

**Frequently Asked Questions About Backing Up the C Drive in Windows 11** 1. **What is a C Drive backup in Windows 11?** A C Drive backup in Windows 11 refers to creating a copy of the C Drive (which typically contains the operating system and important programs) to protect against data loss or system failures. This can be done using the built-in Windows Backup feature or third-party backup software. 2. **Why do I need to back up the C Drive?** Backing up the C Drive safeguards your operating system, applications, and important files. In case of a virus attack, hardware failure, or accidental deletion of crucial files, you can restore from the backup, preventing data loss. 3. **How do I create a C Drive backup in Windows 11?** - Open "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Backup." - Click "Add a drive" and select the C Drive. - Choose "More options," then click "Backup now" to initiate the process. - You can also use "Create a system image" to make a complete system backup. 4. **What does a Windows 11 backup include?** A standard C Drive backup typically includes the operating system, pre-installed applications, user settings, personal files (if you chose to back up folders), and the system registry. 5. **How long does it take to back up the C Drive?** The time depends on the size of the C Drive and the speed of your hard drive. Generally, larger C Drives and slower hard drives will take longer. 6. **How much storage space do I need for a C Drive backup?** The backup size depends on the amount of data on the C Drive. Ensure you have enough external storage to save the backup; it's recommended to have at least twice the C Drive's capacity. 7. **How do I recover my C Drive from a backup?** When needed, you can use "Recovery Options" or "System Restore Points" to recover the C Drive. If using a system image backup, recovery may require the Windows installation media. 8. **Does Windows 11 automatically back up the C Drive?** By default, Windows 11 doesn't automatically back up the C Drive, but you can set up a scheduled backup plan. Go to "Backup" settings, choose "Change backup settings," and set a suitable backup frequency. 9. **Can I back up only part of the C Drive content?** Yes, you can choose to back up specific files or folders, but system settings and applications might not be included. 10. **Does backing up the C Drive affect computer performance?** During the backup process, computer performance might slightly decrease as the system reads and writes significant amounts of data. It's best to perform backups when the computer is not in use or has a light workload.

How do I back up my entire computer on Windows 11?

To back up your entire computer on Windows 11, you can create a system image, which captures everything on your PC, including the operating system, settings, system-related files, and installed programs. The built-in Windows Backup and Restore tool can help you do this easily:

1. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7). 2. Create a system image > Choose where to save your backup > Next. 3. Click the "Start Backup" button to initiate the process.

Does Windows 11 have a backup feature?

Yes, Windows 11 includes backup tools, such as Backup and Restore (Windows 7) and File History. Backup and Restore lets you create a system image and back up files or folders. File History is designed to save your "Documents," "Music," "Pictures," "Videos," "Desktop" folders, and offline available OneDrive files on your PC.

Will Windows Backup save everything?

The answer is no; Windows Backup and Restore does not save everything on your computer. Creating a system image only backs up the system drive (by default, Drive C). So if you have data saved on other drives, you would need to back those up separately.