Backup Entire PC to External Hard Drive on Windows [Best Solutions]

System crashes or hardware failures can often occur without warning. Hence, it's crucial to create a full computer backup beforehand. So, how do we back up our computer to an external hard drive to prevent data loss? In the following text, I will discuss the significance of backing up and present two methods for backing up your entire PC to an external hard drive.

Why Do We Need to Backup Computer to External Hard Drive

We need to back up the entire PC to safeguard our data. By doing so, we create a copy of all your files. This way, if the system fails to function properly, we can restore the original system to ensure uninterrupted work. Hence, backup helps prevent data loss resulting from system crashes, computer virus infections, hard drive failures, accidental data deletions, system formatting, human errors, etc.

For data protection, there are various computer backup storage devices available. You can back up your system to another hard drive or even store backups in the cloud. However, using an external hard drive for backup is one of the most efficient methods due to the following attributes:

1. Cost-effective: Compared to the monthly cost of cloud storage services, the price of a hard drive is typically more budget-friendly.
2. Convenient: It's portable and allows you to access important files anytime, anywhere.
3. Storage: It's compatible with all sorts of personal files and can help free up storage space on your computer.

Therefore, it's essential to back up your computer to an external storage device. So how to back up computer to an external hard drive? Next, I'll introduce backup methods to back up Windows 10, and you can choose your preferred option.

Further Reading: Backup Computer to External Hard Drive in Windows 7 | Backup Laptop to External Hard Drive

How to Backup Computer to External Hard Drive - 2 Options

Once you understand the importance of backing up your data and have determined where you want to save the backup, it's time to find a suitable method to perform the backup. Here, I will present two approaches for backing up your files. 1. **Manual Backup:** This method involves manually selecting and copying the files and folders you wish to back up to an external storage device or a cloud-based service. To do this, follow these steps: - Connect your external hard drive or USB drive to your computer. - Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). - Navigate to the files and folders you want to back up. - Select them by clicking and dragging or using the "Ctrl" (Windows) or "Command" (Mac) key for multiple selections. - Right-click and choose "Copy" or use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl+C" (Windows) or "Command+C" (Mac). - Navigate to the connected external drive or your cloud storage folder. - Right-click and choose "Paste" or use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl+V" (Windows) or "Command+V" (Mac). 2. **Automated Backup:** An automated backup uses software to schedule regular backups without requiring manual intervention. Many operating systems and third-party tools offer this feature. For example, on Windows, you can use the built-in 'File History' feature, while on macOS, you can utilize 'Time Machine.' Third-party options like 'CrashPlan,' 'Acronis True Image,' or 'tools Todo Backup' provide similar functionality. To set up an automated backup: - Install the backup software of your choice. - Configure the settings, specifying which files and folders to back up, the backup destination (external drive or cloud), and the frequency of backups (daily, weekly, etc.). - Set up a schedule for automatic backups. - Ensure the backup software is running and connected to the designated storage when the scheduled backup time arrives. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, so choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences. Remember, it's crucial to test your backups periodically to ensure the data can be restored when needed.

Windows Backup and Restore vs Todo Backup: Which is Better for PC Backup? We compare the effectiveness, security, compatibility, and more. Please refer to this comparison before choosing which tool to use:

Next, I'll show you how to back up your entire PC to an external hard drive using these two step-by-step methods. It's now evident that Windows Backup and Restore can indeed back up your system and certain content on your PC. However, this method is not very efficient, as it takes a longer time to create a backup. Additionally, you cannot use Windows Backup and Restore to back up your entire computer to an external hard drive. Thankfully, you can rely on tools like Todo Backup. Todo Backup is an excellent choice for creating a comprehensive backup.

?Also Read: Windows 10 Backup to External Hard Drive | Backup Hard Drive to Another Hard Drive

How to Backup Computer to External Hard Drive with Tools Todo Backup

As a professional backup software, it isn't complicated to operate. Before utilizing the Todo Backup tool, you first need to download and install the software. Afterwards, you can commence backing up your entire computer by creating a system image on an external hard drive:

Bonus: Todo Backup lets you save backups to local drives, external storage media, USB drives, cloud backup storage services, NAS devices, network locations, and more.

Step 1. To start a backup, click the Select backup contents option.

Create File Backup Step1

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

Step 3. On the left, both local and network files will be displayed. You can expand the directory to select the backup files.

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions and choose a location to save the backup.

Click Options to set a password for encrypting the backup in Backup Options, then click Backup Scheme to determine the backup schedule and initiate the backup at a specific event. You can also select other additional options to customize the backup process according to your needs.

Step 5. The backup can be stored on a local disk, the tool's online service, or a NAS.

Step 6. Todo Backup allows customers to back up data to a third-party cloud drive as well as its own cloud drive.

If you want to back up data to a cloud drive provided by a third party, choose Local Drive, scroll down to add Cloud Device, and then add and log in to your account.

You can also select the Tools cloud drive. Sign up for a Tools account and then click Tools Cloud to log in.

Step 7. Click Backup Now to initiate the backup process. Once done, the backup job will appear as a card on the left side of the panel. Right-click the backup job to manage it further.

If you wish to back up only the operating system, you can opt for the "OS" option to back up the C drive to an external hard drive using a free tool.

Backup Whole PC to External Drive with Backup and Restore on Windows

Backup and Restore enable you to back up a single file or the entire computer. Backing up the whole PC allows you to save all your operating systems, programs, files, crucial documents, and other settings to another device. This is a great option if you want to back up an external hard drive without using any software.

If you prefer the Windows method, you can follow these steps to back up your PC:

Step 1: Connect the external drive to your computer and make sure it can be accessed properly. Then, you can start backing up your entire PC to the external disk.

Step 2: On your computer, locate the "Control Panel" and click on "System and Security" to back up the entire computer.

Step 3: Select "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)".

Step 4: On the left side, choose "Create a system image" to save all the computer systems to an external drive.

Step 5: In the popup window, choose where to save the backup and select the attached external drive from the "On a hard disk" list.

Step 6: Select the backup disk to include in the backup.

Step 7: Next, confirm the backup settings, including the backup location and items to be backed up. Then, click "Start backup" to initiate the process.

Windows File History is another built-in backup utility that can automatically sync computer files to a local backup drive or a network location, such as NAS. It's an ideal tool if you only need file-level backup. If you want to back up disks or the system, turn to Backup and Restore or third-party backup software.

Wondering how to back up your Mac computer to an external hard drive? Todo Backup for Mac provides an easy solution with just a few simple clicks.

Conclusion

We gotta appreciate the importance of backups. Backing up your whole computer to an external hard drive is one of the most effective ways to safeguard your data. Regular backups are crucial. That's why knowing a simple yet professional backup software can save us both time and money.

The Todo Backup tool can also perform a quick system image recovery after backing up your data. If you want to learn more about the software, give it a try.

1. What is the best way to backup my PC to an external hard drive? The best way to backup your PC to an external hard drive on Windows is using the built-in backup utility called "File History" or the more advanced "Windows Backup and Restore." Here's how: - File History: Connect your external hard drive, go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup > Add a drive, and select your external drive. Turn on File History and choose which folders you want to back up. - Windows Backup and Restore: Access it through Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7). Select "Backup your files" and follow the prompts to choose your external drive as the backup location. 2. Can I schedule automatic backups to my external hard drive? Yes, both File History and Windows Backup and Restore allow scheduling automatic backups. In File History, you can configure the frequency under Settings > Update & Security > Backup > More options. For Windows Backup and Restore, during the setup process, choose "Scheduled" backup and set your preferred schedule. 3. How often should I backup my PC to an external hard drive? It depends on how frequently you create new data. If you work with important files daily, consider backing up once a day or every few days. If you only make changes occasionally, weekly backups might be sufficient. 4. Is it safe to store all my data on an external hard drive? External hard drives are generally reliable, but it's always recommended to have multiple backups. Consider using cloud storage or another physical backup method for added security. Remember, no single backup solution is completely foolproof. 5. Can I backup my operating system and settings to an external hard drive? Yes, with Windows Backup and Restore, you can create a system image that includes your operating system, installed programs, and settings. This can be restored if your computer becomes unbootable. 6. How do I restore my PC from a backup on an external hard drive? In case of data loss or system failure, connect the backup drive to your PC, and: - File History: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup > More options > Restore files from a current backup. - Windows Backup and Restore: Use Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7) > Restore my files or Restore all users' files. 7. Do I need to format the external hard drive before using it for backups? No, it's not necessary to format the drive before using it for backups, but it's recommended for security and compatibility reasons. Formatting ensures no previous data is present and sets the correct file system for Windows. 8. Will a backup on an external hard drive work on another PC? If the backup contains only files and not a system image, you can access the files on any PC. However, a system image backup may only be usable on the original PC or one with identical hardware due to driver and software dependencies.

Depending on your needs, you can select various types of backups, such as full backups or partial backups. Here are some common questions about backing up an entire PC to an external hard drive: 1. What is a full backup? A full backup involves creating a copy of all files, folders, and system settings on your PC. This includes your operating system, applications, documents, photos, and other data. It provides a complete restore point in case of data loss or system failure. 2. What is a partial backup? A partial backup, also known as incremental or differential backup, only saves the changes made since the last backup. Incremental backups save only the files that have changed since the last full backup, while differential backups save all files modified since the last full backup. These types of backups are quicker and require less storage space than full backups but may need more time for restoration. 3. Why should I backup my entire PC to an external hard drive? Backing up your entire PC to an external hard drive ensures that you have a secure copy of all your important data in case of hardware failures, accidental deletion, malware attacks, or natural disasters. It allows you to quickly recover your system and files without losing any information. 4. How often should I perform a backup? The frequency of backups depends on how frequently you add or modify important data. It's recommended to do a full backup at least once a month and partial backups more regularly (daily or weekly) to keep your data up-to-date. 5. How do I perform a backup of my entire PC to an external hard drive? Most operating systems have built-in backup tools or you can use third-party software. Generally, the process involves connecting the external hard drive, selecting the backup option, choosing the source (your PC), and specifying the target location (the external hard drive). Follow the software's instructions to initiate and schedule the backup process. 6. Can I encrypt my backup for security? Yes, most backup software offers encryption options to protect your data from unauthorized access. Encrypting your backup ensures that even if the external hard drive is lost or stolen, your sensitive information remains secure. 7. How do I restore my PC from a backup? In case of data loss or system failure, connect the external hard drive with the backup, launch the backup software, and choose the restore option. Select the backup file and follow the prompts to restore your PC to its previous state. Remember to always keep your backups up-to-date and store the external hard drive in a safe place.

1. How long does it take to back up a computer to an external hard drive?

It depends on the size of your system. If you opt for third-party software, such as Todo Backup, it would typically be faster than the built-in Windows tool.

2. What size external hard drive do I need to back up my PC? Translation: "What external hard drive capacity do I require to backup my PC?"

There are various options you can select to back up your disk or entire computer. However, to successfully back up your entire PC, you need to ensure that you have sufficient disk space to accommodate all your Windows 10 or 11 system files.

3. What is a full system backup? A full system backup refers to creating a complete copy of all the data, files, applications, operating system, settings, and configurations on a device or computer. This type of backup ensures that if the original system is lost, damaged, or experiences a failure, it can be entirely restored to its previous state using the backup. It typically includes system files, user documents, photos, videos, and any installed software, providing a comprehensive safety net for data recovery.

A full system backup involves creating a complete copy of all essential files and data within your system. While it may take a longer time to perform, it ensures that you can easily restore all your data in its entirety.