How to Back Up Windows 11 to Synology NAS (3 Effective Ways)?

Backing up your Windows system is a good habit and crucial for data protection in case of unexpected situations. If you have a Synology or QNAP NAS backup device at home or in the office, you can keep your files safe by backing up Windows 11 to Synology NAS. This ensures that your data is secure.

A Network Attached Storage (NAS) device connects to your computer network, providing data access to multiple user devices and enabling that data to be persistently available over the network for collaboration by employees.

Here, we will guide you through three easy ways to back up your Windows 11 to a Synology NAS. These methods are user-friendly and provide efficient backup results. We've included the process and estimated time for each method so you can choose and plan accordingly. Let's dive in.

The Benefits of Backing Up Windows to a NAS

With malware and ransomware attacks now commonplace, your data can be encrypted and rendered inaccessible. But with Synology NAS, you have a backup solution to protect your data from unforeseen circumstances. Restoring a NAS backup on a Windows 10/11 device is more convenient than searching for the latest backup files in your local drive. There are multiple advantages to backing up your data to a NAS for users.

• Easy to set up and use
• Safer than a local drive
• Easily accessible from different or multiple computers
• RAID support for data loss prevention

How to Backup Windows 11/10/8/7 to Synology NAS - 3 Methods

In recent years, backing up Windows 11 to a Synology NAS has become more prevalent to facilitate recovery from ransomware attacks or hard disk failures. Windows 11 offers several free backup solutions, such as Backup and Restore and creating a System Image. You can also rely on third-party tools like Todo Backup for Windows backups.

Method 1: Back Up Your Windows PC to a NAS with Professional Backup Software

Todo Backup is the best way to back up your Windows computer to a NAS. For instance, you can easily use it to back up Windows 10 to NAS. This professional backup tool supports Windows backup tasks in minutes with its user-friendly interface, providing data protection to back up all your contents, including folders, disks, partitions, and OS, and save the backups to local drives, external hard drives, NAS, cloud, and network.

Steps to use Todo Backup tool to back up your system to NAS: 1. **Download and Install Todo Backup**: First, visit the official Todo Backup website and download the version that corresponds to your operating system. After installation, launch the program. 2. **Select Backup Type**: In Todo Backup's main interface, choose "System Backup" or "Full Disk Backup," depending on whether you need to back up your entire system or just some data. 3. **Set Backup Source**: Click "Select Source," then in the popup window, choose the system partition or the entire hard drive you want to back up. 4. **Set Backup Destination**: Click "Choose Target Location," and from the new options, select "Network" or "NAS Device." Then, follow the prompts to input the NAS's IP address, username, and password to connect to your NAS device. 5. **Configure Backup Options**: Customize your backup plan by setting up scheduled backups, incremental backups, or differential backups. You can also choose advanced options like compressing backup files and encrypting your data. 6. **Start the Backup**: After completing these settings, click "Backup Now" or "Schedule Backup." Todo Backup will commence the backup task. The process may take some time, depending on the size of your system and your network speed. 7. **Confirm Backup**: Once the backup is finished, Todo Backup will display a success message. You can check the backup files through the program to ensure your system has been successfully backed up to the NAS. 8. **Regularly Update Backups**: To keep your data current, remember to run new backup tasks periodically, especially after major system updates or installing new software. Please adjust these steps according to your specific needs and the latest version of Todo Backup, as the interface and features might have changed.

Step 1. On the main screen, tap "Select Backup Content".

Step 2: Click on Operating System in the list of four options.

Step 3. Todo Backup will automatically select your system partition; you just need to choose a backup destination.

Step 4. You can choose to save the backup file on your local hard drive or NAS.

5. After the backup is completed, you can check the backup status, restore, open, or delete the backup by right-clicking on the backup task on the left.

Method 2: Create a System Image Backup of Windows 11

A system image backup copies the disk (including your personal files, apps, settings, and the entire operating system) so that you can restore the whole system from the most recent system image backup in case of a ransomware attack or hard-drive failure.

Advantages:

• Comprehensive backup method
• Ability to restore individual files and entire systems
• No installation or booting required
• Generated files tend to be larger, consuming more storage space
• Backs up the operating system, user data, and applications
• Eases migration of the system to a new hard drive

Disadvantages:

• Not applicable to cloud storage
• Slower than file-level backup

Please refer to:

[Comprehensive Guide] Backup Windows 11 to NAS (Network Drive)

NAS, short for Network Attached Storage, is a emerging network-based storage device. In the world of data protection, choosing a secure and reliable backup location is crucial. This article will focus on the possibilities of backing up Windows 11 (including files and system) to a NAS.

How to create a system image of your Windows 11 computer using Backup and Restore:

Step 1. Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Windows search bar.

Step 2: System and Security > Click Backup and Restore (Windows 7)

Under Save to disk, choose a disk to save the system image, and then click Next.

Step 5: Tap Start Backup to begin the backup process. Keep your device connected to the charger and avoid force-restarting it during the backup to prevent errors.

6. When prompted to create a System Repair Disc, click No.

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Method 3: Perform a Selective Backup in Windows 11 using Backup and Restore In Windows 11, you can use the built-in "Backup and Restore" tool to create a system image or back up specific files and folders. Here's how: 1. **Open Control Panel:** - Press `Win + X` and select "Control Panel." - Alternatively, search for "Control Panel" in the search bar and choose it from the results. 2. **Select "Backup and Restore":** - In the Control Panel, find and click on the "Backup and Restore" option. 3. **Create a Backup Plan:** - In the "Backup and Restore" window, click "Set up backup." - Choose the location where you want to save your backup files (usually your primary hard drive). - Click "Next." - On this page, you can either let Windows decide which files to back up (recommended) or choose "Let me choose" to customize the backup. - If you select "Let me choose," check the files and folders you wish to back up, then click "Next." - Confirm your settings and click "Save settings and exit." 4. **Perform the Backup:** - Back in the "Backup and Restore" window, click "Back up now." - Your computer will start creating the backup, which may take some time depending on the number and size of the selected files. - Once completed, a message will inform you that the backup is finished. 5. **Save and Store the Backup:** - For safety, it's recommended to store your backup on an external hard drive, USB drive, or another secure location in case your primary hard drive fails. - You can also choose to create a backup online if your computer is connected to a network. Now, you have successfully created a selective backup for Windows 11. You can use the "Backup and Restore" tool to restore these files or the entire system when needed.

Backup and Restore (Windows 7) is also an inbuilt Windows solution for customizing and backing up specific folders. Although it can now be accessed via OneDrive backup in Settings, you can still access it through the Control Panel. You can use this method to back up Windows 11 to your Synology NAS in several steps.

The steps to create a custom backup using Backup and Restore on Windows 11 are as follows: 1. Open Settings: Click the Start menu on the taskbar or press the Windows key on your keyboard, then select the Gear icon to open Settings. 2. Go to "Update & Security": In the Settings window, locate and click on "Update & Security." 3. Choose "Backup": On the left-hand menu, click on "Backup." 4. Access "More options": At the right side of the "Backup" page, scroll to the bottom and click "More options" or "Advanced options." 5. Start backup: On the "More options" or "Advanced options" page, click "Add a drive" to select the files and folders you want to back up. Check the hard disk drives or specific folders as needed. 6. Set up a backup schedule (optional): If you wish to have automatic backups, you can set up a backup schedule on this same page. Click "Change schedule" to customize your backup frequency and time. 7. Create the backup: Back on the "Backup" page, click "Backup now" to initiate the backup process. The system will prompt you to confirm the action; once confirmed, the backup will start. 8. Wait for the backup to complete: This may take some time, depending on the amount of data you've chosen to back up. Make sure your computer stays on during this process. 9. Verify the backup: After the backup is finished, you can view its status and related information under the "Recent backups" section on the "Backup" page. Please note that these steps might vary slightly depending on different versions or updates of Windows 11. If you can't find the mentioned options, ensure your system is up to date and refer to Microsoft's official documentation for more detailed guidance.

Step 1. Click the Search icon in the Taskbar, type Control Panel, and open it.

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Step 3: Tap Set up backup to access your backup settings. Choose a backup location, then tap Next to continue.

Click Backup to start.

4. In the Choose a Network window, tap Browse to join a shared network drive. Enter your network credentials (for example, username and password), then tap Next.

Click Next .

Step 5: Choose everything you want to back up: Data files and your computer. Check the box next to everything you want to back up.

Step 6: Do one final check of your backup settings. Clicking on Change schedule lets you customize and set the frequency for backups. You can set it to automatically back up daily, weekly, or monthly, or at specific dates and times.

Changed or new files are automatically included in backups according to your schedule, since the last backup.

Step 7: When you have finished all the settings, click Save Settings, and then run the Backup button.

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Quick summary:

Here are some options for how to back up Windows 11 to Synology NAS. Before you start backing up with Synology, though, make sure your NAS is connected properly. It only takes a few seconds to add it as a virtual drive in File Explorer.

We've already shared how to back up Windows 11 to Synology NAS with the built-in method. However, we recommend using the Todo Backup tool, as it offers an all-in-one backup solution and destinations that can save you a lot of time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Backing Up Windows 11 to Synology NAS

1. What are the differences between NAS and SAN in terms of backup? NAS (Network Attached Storage) and SAN (Storage Area Network) are both network-based solutions for data storage, but they differ in their approach to backup: 1. **Architecture**: - **NAS**: It is a file-level storage device connected directly to the network using standard protocols like TCP/IP. It provides a network-shared file system accessible by multiple computers. - **SAN**: It is a dedicated high-speed network that connects storage devices directly to servers, typically using FC (Fibre Channel) or iSCSI protocols. SAN offers block-level storage access, making it more suitable for databases and applications requiring low latency and high I/O performance. 2. **Backup Methods**: - **NAS**: Since NAS provides file-level access, backups usually involve copying the entire file system or specific files and directories. This can be done using network backup software (like NasBackup or Norton Ghost) or built-in backup features if supported by the NAS device. - **SAN**: Backups in a SAN environment are generally more complex, involving block-level data. Specialized backup software, such as Veeam, BackupExec, or CommVault, is needed to map and back up volumes and LUNs (Logical Unit Numbers) stored on the SAN. 3. **Performance**: - **NAS**: Backup speed is limited by network bandwidth, suitable for medium-sized data backups. - **SAN**: With its dedicated high-speed network, backup speeds are typically faster, catering to large-scale and high-demand backup tasks. 4. **Cost and Management**: - **NAS**: Generally less expensive, easier to manage, and deploy, ideal for small- to medium-sized businesses or departmental backup needs. - **SAN**: More costly, requiring specialized knowledge for configuration and management, suited for large enterprises and data center environments. The choice between NAS and SAN for a backup solution depends on specific requirements, including data volume, performance demands, budget, and existing IT infrastructure.

A NAS is a single, Ethernet-based storage device that is relatively inexpensive. It emphasizes ease of use, scalability, manageability, and low total cost of ownership (TCO). A SAN, by contrast, is a network of tightly coupled devices – using either fiber channel or Ethernet – that is more expensive. It is designed for high performance and low latency, but it is more complex to set up and manage.

2. NAS or External Hard Drive?

It depends on your data needs. A NAS (Network-Attached Storage) device is a centralized, reliable solution for backing up large volumes of data files. But if you have limited data to back up, an external hard drive is a simple and cost-effective option.

3. Does Synology NAS come with a backup software?

Synology NAS provides a free backup solution to protect all your servers, PCs, and virtual machines.