How to Backup Files and Settings in Windows 8.1 - A Comprehensive Guide (Updated for 2024)

Are you searching for a comprehensive guide to help you backup Windows 8.1 files and settings on your own? Look no further, as this page provides you with three reliable solutions to effortlessly backup your files and settings in Windows 8.1. Let's begin.

How to Back Up Windows 8.1 Files and Settings? 3 Reliable Methods

Some of you may want to know, "Does Windows 8.1 have a backup utility?", and the answer is Yes. Windows 8.1, is similar to Windows 7 and the newest Windows 10/11, and also has a built-in backup utility.

In fact, Windows 8.1 has two backup tools that allow users to successfully back up their files and settings on their desktop computers or laptops in a few clicks. These two tools are Windows Backup and Restore and Windows File History.

Aside from these two built-in backup utilities, you can also turn to third-party Windows backup software like tools Todo Backup Home for help.

Windows 8.1 File and Settings Backup Solutions Comparison

So what methods can you use to back up Windows 8.1 files and settings?

1. #1. Windows Backup Software - Todo Backup Tools
2. #3. Windows Backup and Restore
3. #2. Windows File History

And what are the differences? Here is a comparison chart that you can follow and learn the differences among them instantly:

As you can see from the above table, third-party backup software - Todo Backup Home performs better in file and system backup on Windows. While in Windows 8.1, Windows Backup and Restore is superior to File History in backing up files and settings.

If you're new to Windows or looking for an easy way to back up Windows files and settings all at once, try using a tool like Todo Backup. If you're an experienced Windows user, the built-in Backup and Restore feature in Windows 8.1 can meet your needs to protect files and settings on your computer.

So, how to back up files and settings in Windows 8.1? Follow the respective method and tutorial guide below, and you'll efficiently backup everything on your computer.

#1. Backup Files and Settings in Windows 8.1 with Todo Backup

Duration: 5-30 minutes

Tool: Todo Backup, an empty external hard drive

With Todo Backup, backing up files and settings on Windows computers is easy, and you can simply connect an empty external hard drive to your Windows 8.1 system. Follow these two tutorials to back up your files and settings right away:

Guide 1: Backup Files in Windows 8.1

Step 1. Click "Select backup contents" to start a backup.

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

Step 3. Local and network files will be displayed on the left panel. You can expand the directories to choose which files to back up.

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

Click “Options” to password protect the backup in “Backup Options,” and to set up a backup schedule and initiate a backup at a certain event in “Backup Scheme.” There are a variety of other customization options available for the backup process.

Step 5. You can save the backup to a local drive, the tool's online service, or a NAS.

Step 6. Todo Backup allows users to back up data to a third-party cloud drive or its own cloud drive.

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

You can also save backups to the tool's cloud storage service. Click Todo Cloud and sign in with your Tool Account.

Step 7. Click "Backup Now" to start the backup. Once the backup is done, it will appear as a card on the left pane. Right-click a backup job to manage it further.

Guide 2: Backup Settings in Windows 8.1

Please note that “Settings” is mostly related to Windows operating system, therefore, you need to back up the OS along with its settings. Here's how:

Step 1. On the main screen, click "Select backup contents".

Step 2. Click on the OS category among the four options.

Step 3. Todo Backup will automatically select your system partition. You just need to choose a destination for the backup.

Step 4. You can save the backup file on both Local Drive and NAS.

Step 5. Once the backup is done, you can check its status, recover, open, or delete it by right-clicking the backup task on the left.

Aside from backing up files and settings on Windows computers, Windows 8.1 users can also apply tools like Todo Backup Home to:

• Clone HDD to SSD
• Backup OneDrive to external drive
• Create a Windows recovery USB
• Clone PC to new PC, and more.

#2. Back Up Files and Settings in Windows 8.1 with Backup and Restore

Duration: 5-30 minutes

Tool: Backup and Restore (Windows 7), local C drive

Please note that Windows Backup and Restore will save the backup image on the local C drive. If your C drive is out of space, prepare an external hard drive and connect it to your PC. Follow these steps to initiate the backup:

Step 1. Go to Control Panel and click “Backup and Restore” under System and Security.

Step 2. Click "Create a system image," and then click "Set up backup" on the right.

Step 3. Select the drive you want to save your backup on, whether it be a local drive or an external hard drive. Click “Next” to continue.

Step 4. Select the drive that you want to create a backup of files and settings in Windows 8.1. Click “Next” to proceed.

Here, if you check the C drive, Windows Backup and Restore will automatically back up everything on your C drive, including files, settings, and even the OS, to the target drive.

Step 5. Click "Start backup" and wait for the backup process to finish.

Notice that Windows Backup and Restore can only back up files and systems on the C drive, and if you plan to back up partition data on a non-system drive, you can turn to tools like Todo Backup for assistance. It offers more flexible options for selectively backing up whatever you need.

If Windows Backup and Restore is not functioning correctly on your computer, follow this guide, and you'll be able to get it working properly:

Windows 7 Backup and Restore Not Working with Blank Screen

Is Windows Backup and Restore displaying a blank screen or not functioning? You've come to the right place. Please continue reading, and we'll explain the cause of the issue and provide practical solutions.

#3. Back Up Files in Windows 8.1 with File History

Duration: 5-20 minutes

Tool: Windows File History

Unlike Windows Backup and Restore, File History is a feature that aims to create incremental backups of files and folders saved on a Windows computer. If you want to back up only files in Windows 8.1, follow the steps below for assistance:

Step 1. Go to Settings, click “Update & Security” and “Backup,” then click “More options” under the “Back up using File History” section.

Step 2. To set a scheduled backup plan for your files, you can set the frequency below “Back up files” with options of hours, days, weeks, months, and so on.

Step 3. Once done, go back to File History and click “Add a drive”, then select the drive you want to save file backups on your computer.

Step 4. Then, you can select files and folders on the C drive to back up, like the Downloads folder, Documents, Videos, and so on. Click “OK” to begin the backup process.

Please note that if you haven't configured File History to back up files on your computer, refer to this guide and get through the detailed steps:

Beginner's Guide: How to Use File History in Windows 10

An ultimate guide on how to use File History in Windows 10, covering how it works and how to set it up. Users of Windows 8.1/8 and Windows 11 can also follow this guide to configure File History.

To Wrap Up

This article offers 3 feasible solutions to perform a full backup of files and settings in Windows 8.1. Among these methods, third-party backup software - tools Todo Backup, stands out as the most user-friendly option. It streamlines the backup process with just a few straightforward clicks.

Between Windows Backup and Restore and File History, we recommend you try Windows Backup and Restore if you prefer a built-in backup tool. The reason is that Windows Backup and Restore covers more files and supports backing up files, settings, and even the OS all at once.

Frequently Asked Questions About Backup Files and Settings in Windows 8.1

Here we also covered some frequently asked questions about Windows 8.1 files and settings backup. If you're interested, follow and learn the answers here:

1. How to backup files in Windows 8?

You can either try backup software like Todo Backup for help or turn to File History to create a file backup in Windows 8.1.

To back up files with Todo Backup, you'll need to:

< li > Launch Todo Backup, and choose Files. < /li > < li > Select the files you want to back up, and choose a destination drive to save the backup. < /li > < li > Click OK to start backup. < /li > < li > To back up files with File History: < /li > < li > Click Start, then go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup. < /li > < li > Click Add a drive to set backup destination and select files to back up. < /li >

2. How to back up Windows 8.1 system image?

To backup Windows 8.1 system image, you can turn to Windows Backup and Restore for help:

• Go to Control Panel, click "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)".
• Click "Create a system image", and "Set up backup".
• Select the drive you want to save your backup, and click "Next".
• Select C drive to include for creating a system image.
• Then click "Start backup".

3. How do I transfer files from my computer to an external hard drive in Windows 8?

There are 2 direct methods to transfer files from a computer to an external hard drive:

< li > #1. Manually copy and paste files from the computer to an external hard drive.< /li > < li > #2. Use backup software like tools Todo Backup to back up all files at one time and select to store the backup to your external hard drive.< /li >