How to Copy or Backup Program Files (x86) Folder to an External Hard Drive in Windows 10/8/7

"I've decided to reinstall Windows 7 on my computer but I'm worried that all the programs in the Program Files folder on the C: drive will be removed. There are a few very important ones that I really want to keep, especially those that I've upgraded. Is there any program backup software that can help me with this?"

What's the point of backing up program files in Windows?

Do you know the purpose of the "Program Files" folder? When you access your computer's C drive, you'll see a "Program Files" folder and another "Program Files (x86)" folder. Both of these folders store software programs installed on your Windows system, but the "(x86)" version is for backward compatibility, allowing you to run 32-bit applications on a 64-bit operating system.

Before we introduce you to the program files backup solution, please note that not all programs can be correctly set up and run after being restored. You need to know when it is important to back up these program files. We list three situations where you might want to perform such a backup.

First, you may want to preserve the state of certain programs, like game progress, account information, browser bookmarks, and so on.

Only program files and settings were backed up due to insufficient storage space on the backup location.

In short, the upcoming backup solutions don't apply to copying, transferring, or backing up installed programs without reinstalling them. If that's what you need, head over to the dedicated page and learn how to use Windows Application Data Backup software to back up installed apps on Windows 10.

Backup Program Files to an External Hard Drive in Windows 10/8/7 Backing up program files to an external hard drive is a wise decision in Windows 10, 8, or 7 to safeguard against unexpected data loss. Follow this step-by-step guide to complete the process: 1. Connect the External Hard Drive: First, ensure your external hard drive is correctly connected to your computer. Plug it into an available USB port using a USB cable. 2. Create a Backup Folder: - Open "My Computer" or "File Explorer." - In the sidebar, locate and click on your external hard drive. - Right-click on any blank area on the hard drive, then select "New" > "Folder." - Name the folder, e.g., "Program Files Backup," and press Enter. 3. Locate the Program Files to Backup: - Press `Win + R` to open the "Run" dialog box. - Type `%programfiles%` or `%programfiles(x86)%`, then press Enter. - This will open the "Program Files" or "Program Files (x86)" folder, containing most installed programs. 4. Select the Programs to Backup: - Not all program files need to be backed up. Choose only those that are important, large, or you don't want to reinstall. - Hold down the `Ctrl` key to select multiple files or folders. 5. Copy and Paste the Files: - After selecting the files to backup, right-click and choose "Copy." - Switch to your external hard drive, find the backup folder created earlier, right-click, and select "Paste." - Wait for the copying process to finish. This may take some time depending on the file size. 6. Create a System Image (optional): - If you wish to back up your entire system, including the operating system and all programs, create a system image. - Press `Win + X` and select "Control Panel." - In Control Panel, click "System" > "System Protection" > "Create" to create a system restore point. - Alternatively, you can create a system image under "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Backup." 7. Keep the Backup Up-to-date: - Regularly repeat these steps to keep your backup current. - If there are important program updates, remember to back up the relevant files again. Now, your program files are safely stored on your external hard drive, making it easy to recover them in case of system failure.

Instead of copying the entire “Program Files” folder directly to an external hard drive, there's a better way. Use a third-party file backup software to create an image backup of the “Program Files” folder.

Todo Backup is considered one of the best programs for backing up Windows program files, and you can use it to back up your entire Program Files folder to an external hard drive, USB flash drive, network drive, or cloud drive, ensuring that important program information stays up-to-date even after a reinstallation.

Follow the backup procedure below, first connecting your external hard drive to your computer and making sure that Windows detects it.

Step 1. Download and install Todo Backup on your computer. Click the "Create Backup" button from the main interface.

Create a backup

Step 2: You'll need to back up your app data, so tap on the "Application Data" option.

Select App Data Backup

Step 3: All the apps that can be backed up will be displayed on the screen. (We currently support Outlook, and we'll be adding more app backups over time, such as games and other email clients like Thunderbird, Gmail, Microsoft 365 apps, and so on.) Scroll down to find the app you want to back up, then click OK.

Select the app data you want to back up:

Step 4. Choose the backup location as prompted. It's recommended to select a cloud service, NAS, or an external hard drive to protect against computer failures or crashes.

Select where to save the backup

Clicking the Options button lets you set up custom backups. You can schedule backups on a daily, weekly, monthly, or event-based schedule. It will perform either differential or incremental backups, depending on your needs.

Step 6: Once your settings are in place, click "Start Backup Now" to begin the backup process. The duration of the backup will depend on the size of your source data, but it shouldn't take too long.