How to Backup Windows 11 to USB [2 Safe Methods]?

"Overview of Windows 11 Backup"

Windows 11 is the latest operating system currently supported by Microsoft. Most computers and laptops from 2022 run on Windows 11, and many users are currently using it.

While using Windows 11, you might find that the operating system (OS) – so crucial to your computer or laptop's functioning – is not running perfectly. Perhaps you have fallen victim to a ransomware attack that has compromised part of the OS; or a attempt to update it to the latest version failed; or you are encountering the error message “Windows detected a hard disk problem.”

These things can happen unexpectedly and lead to data loss, so you should be well-prepared. The best way to protect your data is to back it up. So, we will offer two tutorials to guide you: how to back up Windows 11 to USB with the built-in feature and how to use an automatic system backup tool.

Also read: Create a Bootable Backup for Windows 11

Simple! Use the System Backup tool to back up Windows 11 to a USB device

What is the purpose of a tool? It's to help you solve problems more easily and effectively. Todo Backup Home is a secure system backup tool designed specifically for Windows 11 users.

You don't need to be tech-savvy. If you're a beginner, you can also use a tool to back up Windows 11 easily. Maybe you don't want to search for backup tutorials and follow complicated steps; you can use this professional backup tool to back up the operating system quickly. The tool Todo Backup also offers a cloning feature that helps you clone the Windows 11 system and disk with one click.

How to backup Windows 11 to a USB using System Backup Tools To back up the Windows 11 operating system to a USB device, you can use the built-in Create a Recovery Drive tool or a third-party system backup software. Here's a simple step-by-step guide using the built-in tool: 1. Insert the USB drive: First, ensure you have a large enough USB flash drive (at least 16GB) and plug it into your computer's USB port. 2. Open the Create a Recovery Drive tool: - Press `Win + S` to open the search box. - Type "Create a recovery drive" and click on the "Create a recovery drive" app from the search results. 3. Run the Create a Recovery Drive wizard: - In the opened window, uncheck the "Back up system files to the recovery drive" option (this is typically used for computers without an internal CD/DVD drive). - Make sure the "Back up system files" option is selected. - Click "Next." 4. Select the USB drive: - The system will automatically detect available USB drives. Confirm that the selected drive is the USB device you want to use for the backup. - If there are multiple USB devices, make sure to choose the correct one, as this process will erase all data on it. - Click "Next." 5. Start the backup: - Click "Create" to initiate the backup process. This may take some time, depending on your computer's performance and the speed of the USB drive. - Do not disconnect the USB drive or turn off your computer during the backup. 6. Complete the backup: - Once the backup is finished, a message will be displayed. Click "Finish" to close the window. Now, you have successfully backed up your system to a USB drive using Windows 11's built-in tool. To restore the system, simply insert the USB device and follow the on-screen instructions. Keep in mind that if you require more advanced backup options, such as scheduled backups or incremental backups, consider using third-party backup software like tools Todo Backup or Acronis True Image. These programs generally offer more comprehensive features and user-friendly interfaces.

Now, we can use this powerful backup tool to back up Windows 11 to USB. Make sure your USB drive is working properly and has enough space to store the Windows 11 system image. This tutorial also applies to backing up Windows 11 to an external hard drive.

Step 1: When you first use Todo Backup to back up your files, tap Create Backup on the main screen, then tap the big question-mark button to choose what to back up.

Step 2. Since you want to back up files and folders on your computer, choose the "Files" backup mode, and you can select pictures, videos, documents, and other types of files for backup.

Step 3: Browse and locate the files, folders, or directories you wish to back up, then click OK to select all.

Step 4: You'll now need to choose where you want to save your backup.

Step 5: Todo Backup allows users to save backup files to any convenient device, such as a local hard drive, external USB drive, SD card, network drive, or NAS drive, as well as to the vendor's cloud drive. We recommend saving important backups to a cloud drive for easier access, greater flexibility, and added security.

To use Tool Cloud, you simply sign up with an e-mail address and log in.

Step 6: If you want to set up an automatic and intelligent backup schedule for your next file backup task, proceed with the “Options” settings. Here, you can encrypt your sensitive file backups, compress the backup image size, or customize the backup scheme to specify when the software should start the next backup.

Create an advanced and automated backup task right here.

Click "Backup Now" to begin the backup process. Completed backups will display as cards in the left pane.

Related read: The 2 Best Ways to Create a System Image in Windows 11 (on USB)

Use Built-in Features to Backup Windows 11 to USB

Did you know that Windows 11 has a built-in backup feature? It's called Backup and Restore (Windows 7). If you want to back up Windows 11 straight to a USB device, you can give this tool a shot. If you're unsure how to use the Backup and Restore utility to back up Windows 11 to a USB, follow the steps in this guide, and we'll teach you how to create a system image.

Step 1: Open the Start menu and type “Control Panel.”

Enter "Todo Backup" in Control Panel

Step 2: Click “System and Security” in the Control Panel window.

Select System and Security

Step 3: Click “Backup and Restore (Windows 7)”

Step 4: Choose “Create a system image.”

Step 5: You can save the system image to a local or external hard drive. Choose “On a hard disk,” then select your target USB drive.

Click "Hard Disk."

Step 6: Click “Next” to confirm.

Click Next to confirm.

Click the “Start Backup” button to begin. You will be prompted to create a system repair disc later on.

Click Start Backup.

Abstract

Have you created a system image of Windows 11 yet? Creating a system image is an excellent backup strategy, and it's also crucial to back up your important files and folders. Should you accidentally delete files or need to transfer them to a new computer, file backups can help you quickly restore everything.

Tools Todo Backup is not just a system backup tool; it can also help you back up your files, emails, and disks to local, USB, NAS, Google Cloud, and Dropbox. If you've already downloaded the Tools Todo Backup Home edition, give its powerful features a try for yourself. Don't forget to back up your Windows 11 regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Back Up Windows 11 to USB

We've provided two methods to back up Windows 11 to USB above, and you might want to learn more about backing up Windows 11. Hopefully, the questions and answers below will be helpful.

1. How to Back Up Your Windows 11 Computer?

Creating a backup of your Windows 11 computer is faster and more convenient with backup software. I recommend using the Todo Backup tool, following these steps: 1. First, download and install the Todo Backup software. 2. Open the software, and you'll see various backup options, such as "System Backup," "Disk Backup," or "File Backup." 3. Choose the backup type that suits your needs. For example, if you want a full system backup, click on "System Backup." 4. The software will automatically select the system drive, but you can also customize it to include other partitions or files you want to back up. 5. Next, specify where you want to save the backup, which can be an external hard drive, a network location, or another storage device. 6. You can set up a backup schedule, like daily, weekly, or monthly automatic backups. 7. Once you've confirmed all settings are correct, click "Start Backup" to initiate the backup process. 8. Upon completion, the software will display a success notification. Now, your Windows 11 computer is safely backed up. Remember to regularly check and update your backups to ensure data freshness. You can easily restore these backups through Todo Backup when needed.

1. Launch the Todo Backup tool, and then click on "Create Backup." 2. Click on "Select Backup Content." 3. Choose "Disk." 4. Select the disk you want to back up, and then click "OK." 5. Choose the destination location, and then click "Backup Now."

How do I back up my entire computer to a flash drive?

You can use the backup tool that comes with Windows or a backup app like Todo Backup to back up your entire computer to a flash drive.

1. Launch the Todo Backup tool and click "Create Backup." 2. Click on "Select Backup Content." 3. Choose "Disk." 4. Select the disk you want to back up, then click "OK." 5. Decide on the destination location. Choose your flash drive, then click "Backup Now."

3. Can I back up my PC to OneDrive?

Yes, backup software can help you back up your computer directly to OneDrive. Todo Backup is a professional backup tool that allows you to back up all your content to multiple devices, including OneDrive.

1. Launch Todo Backup and click on "Create Backup." 2. Click on "Select Backup Content." 3. Choose "Disk." 4. Select the disk you want to back up, then click "OK." 5. Decide on the destination location. Choose "Local Disk," and you can add OneDrive under "Cloud Devices." 6. Click "Start Backup" to initiate the backup process.