The Ultimate Guide to Backup and Restore in Windows 10 for 2024 [Everything You Need to Know]

How to Back Up and Restore in Windows 10

Windows 10 offers two default options for backup and restore: File History and Backup and Restore (Windows 7). File History saves your files by taking snapshots of them, allowing you to revert to different versions of a file. In contrast, Backup and Restore (Windows 7) lets you back up and restore files using a system image.

?Related reading: File History vs Backup and Restore | Which Is Better?

These are great ways to back up large files. Aside from these two methods, you can also use built-in Windows 10 utilities such as System Restore and Recovery Drive to back up your files externally. This article will discuss all four techniques and recommend a free backup software called Todo Backup Free that consolidates the features of these different methods. Read on!

Windows 10 File History: How to Back Up and Restore Files

• How to back up files with File History
• How to restore files with File History

File History was introduced by Microsoft with the release of Windows 8 as a replacement for the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) feature. However, it has gained huge preference among Windows 10 users as a method to create backup files.

File History in Windows 10 lets you choose the files or folders you want to back up, and then it takes regular snapshots of them. In case of a system failure, it allows you to restore multiple versions of your saved files and folders.

## How to Back Up Files Using File History 1. **Turn on File History.** First, you'll need to make sure File History is enabled. It's usually turned on by default in Windows 8 and 10, but it may be disabled in some cases. - Press the `Win + X` keys to open the Quick Access menu. - Select "Control Panel." 2. **Click "System."** You'll find this on the left side of the Control Panel. - If you see Large or Small icons view, just click the "System" icon directly. 3. **Click "System Protection."** This is in the left panel of the "System" window. - If you don't see this option, try changing the view to "Category." 4. **Click "File History."** This option is in the middle section of the "System Protection" window. 5. **Click "Turn on File History."** It's at the top of the "File History" window. 6. **Choose a backup location.** You can select a network location or an external hard drive that's connected. Make sure the external drive is connected to your computer if that's what you're using. - If you want to use a network location, click "Select Network Location" and follow the prompts. 7. **Click "Next."** It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. 8. **Confirm your settings.** Here, you can choose how often backups occur and how long to keep them. - If you want to customize these settings, click "More Options" and make your changes. 9. **Click "Start Backup."** This will begin your initial backup right away. After that, File History will automatically back up your files according to your schedule. 10. **Backup your files.** To back up a file, simply save it to the folder you want to back up. File History will automatically capture and save versions of those files. 11. **Restore a file.** To restore a file, follow these steps: - Press `Win + S` to open the search bar. - Type "File History" and press Enter. - Click "Restore my files." - Browse for the file or folder, and locate the version you want to restore. - Click the file, then click the "Restore" button. Keep in mind that File History only works with files saved in specific libraries, the desktop, Documents, Pictures, and the Downloads folder.

Before you can use File History, you need to set it up. Here's how to configure and back up a single file with the tool:

Step one: Head to the Windows search bar, type “backup settings,” and click the first result.

Step 2: Under “Back up using File History,” click “Add a drive.”

Click Add a drive to proceed.

Step Three: Next, choose the disk where you want to store the backup.

Select the backup disk:

Step 4: Click “More options” to configure your selected disk.

Click More Options

Step 5. Under “Backup Options,” choose your preferred backup frequency and how long to keep backups. Backups should generally be performed hourly and retained indefinitely.

Step 6: Scroll down to the “Include these folders” section, and select the files and folders you want File History to back up, such as Music, Downloads, Desktop, and Pictures. If the file you want isn't on the list, click “Add a folder” to include it.

Click Backup Now to start backing up your files.

Step 7: If you don't want to back up a particular folder, select it and click “Remove.”

Click Remove.

Step 8: Once you've made your choices, click “Back Up Now.” File History will begin backing up your data. This could take some time depending on the size and number of files and folders, so be patient and let the process finish.

You may also like: Windows File History Alternative

How to Use File History to Restore Files

With File History, you can restore your files at any time if your system ever has a problem. Here's how:

Step 1: Type "Backup settings" into the search bar and press "Enter." Click on the first result that appears.

Step 2: Click “More options” under “Use File History.”

Click “More Options”

Step 3: Go to “Advanced settings,” and then click “Restore files from a current backup.”

Click Restore files from current backup.

Step 4: When the list of files from the backup appears, select the ones you want to restore and click the “Restore” button (green). The system will restore the selected files and make them available for use.

Windows Backup and Restore (Windows 7) Windows 10: How to Back Up and Restore a System Image

• How to create a system image in Windows 10

• How to restore files from a system image backup

You can create a full backup of a Windows 10 device using a system image, which helps save system settings, programs, and personal files. A system image backup captures a great deal of information, making it ideal for large files.

The Backup and Restore feature in Windows 10 allows you to save your important files using a system image. During the Windows backup process, the first step is to create a system image, which can be saved on a USB drive, hard disk, or another device of your choice. You can learn how to create a Windows 10 system image on a USB drive by following this link: Create a System Image on a USB Drive for Windows 10.

How to Create a System Image in Windows 10

Here are the steps to create a system image:

Step 1: Type “backup settings” into the search bar and open it.

Step 2: Click on “Open Backup and Restore (Windows 7).”

Step 3: Go to the left pane of Control Panel, and click “Create a system image.”

Step 4: Choose where you want to save the backup, such as a hard drive, DVD, or network location. Then click “Next.”

Step 5. In the next window, select the drives you want to include in the backup, then click “Next.”

Step 6: Review the backup options you have set. When ready, click Start Backup. Your system will immediately back up and save your data.

Related article you may be interested in: Windows 7 Backup Not Working on Windows 10

How to restore files from a system image backup

If your computer fails or gets hit by malware, you can use System Image Recovery to restore files from a system image backup. Before you begin, you'll need a bootable USB drive or DVD. Then, follow these steps:

Step 1: Boot the computer into the Windows Preinstallation Environment and click “Next.”

Step 2: In the next window, click on “System Repair” in the bottom left corner.

Click System Repair.

Step 3: Click “Choose an option,” then click “Troubleshoot.”

Step 4: Next, click on “System Image Recovery.”

Click System Image Recovery.

Step 5: Choose your system image, then click “Next.”

Step 6: Under Other restore options, select Format and repartition disk, then click Next.

Step 7: Click Finish.

Step 8. Confirm that you want to replace the current files with the system image, and then click “Yes.” The recovery process will begin.

Windows Backup and Recovery (Windows 7): How to create a Windows 10 recovery USB tool

The Backup and Restore feature in Windows 10 lets you create a recovery drive to save and restore system files in case of a disaster. You'll need a USB drive that's at least 16 GB. If you use a smaller one, you'll get an "Out of space" error and won't be able to create the recovery drive. You can follow these steps to create a Windows 10 recovery drive:

Step 1: Connect the USB drive to your computer.

Step 2. Type Create a recovery drive in the Windows search bar, and open the first result.

Step 3: When the “Create a recovery drive” window opens, check the box labeled “Back up system files to the recovery drive.”

Create a recovery drive

Step 4: Click “Next.”

Step 5: Select the USB device you want to use as a recovery drive, and then click “Next.”

Step 6: After reading the warning message, click Create.

Confirm to create a recovery drive

Step 7. Click Finish when you see the “Recovery drive is ready” message. The system will create the recovery drive using the USB.

How to Recover Windows 10 from a Recovery USB Drive

System Restore can help you recover Windows 10 from a Recovery USB drive. Connect the Recovery USB drive to your computer and follow these steps:

Step 1: Boot your computer from the USB recovery drive.

Step 2: In the Choose an option window, select Troubleshoot.

Step 3: Click “Restore from Disk”.

Step four: You're then asked to choose between “Just remove my files” or “Delete files and clean the drive.”

Step 5: Click “Restore.” The system will begin restoring from the USB drive. This process may take some time, and then your computer will automatically restart.

Finally, follow the instructions on the screen to set up your computer, and you're ready to go.

System Restore: How to Create a System Restore Point

System Restore is an essential feature in Windows 10 that allows you to back up and restore crucial settings and programs when your computer encounters issues or gets hit by malware. It works by creating restore points, either automatically or manually, which play a vital role in rolling the system back to a previous, functioning version.

System Restore is disabled by default on Windows 10, so you'll need to enable it first. Here's how to enable and create a System Restore point:

Step 1: Go to the search bar and type System Restore.

Step 2: Once the results appear, click “Create a restore point.”

Click “Create” to create a restore point.

Step 3: In the System Properties window, click on the “System Protection” tab. Next, under “Protection Settings,” select the drive you wish to configure, and click “Configure.”

Step 4: Under “Restore settings,” click “Turn on system protection.” Under “Disk usage,” choose how much space you'd like the system to use for restore points.

Step 5: Click “OK,” then “Apply.” Your computer will now perform a system restore and automatically create a restore point.

You can repeat Steps 3 and 4 for any other drives you want to configure. If you want to create a restore point manually, click the "Create" button under the "System Protection" tab, and follow the on-screen instructions.

However, there are situations when system restore points are not working. Here are five methods that can get your Windows 10/8/7 system back on track. Check them out:

How to Restore Your Computer Using a System Restore Point

A restore point can help you roll back to a previous, working state if something goes wrong with your current system. When you restore your system, all the settings and programs saved on your computer will be returned to their previous state. Here's how to use this feature:

Step 1: Go to the Windows search bar and type System Restore.

Click “Create.”

Step Three: Click on the “System Protection” tab, and then click “Restore.”

Click "System Restore".

Step 4: Read the instructions on the System Restore window, then click “Next.”

Click Next .

Step 5: Choose the restore point you want to use. To see which programs and drivers will be affected by this process, click Scan for affected programs.

If all goes well, click “Next.”

Step 7. Confirm the restore point you've chosen, and click “Finish” to start the restoration process. This may take some time, so be patient until it's done.

More System Restore software is located below the article:

Free Windows 10 System Restore Software to Create a Windows Recovery Disk

Download the best free Windows 10 system restore software to recover your Windows system, files, and installed apps when disaster strikes.

4-in-1 Backup Software: How to Create a Full Backup of Windows 10

If you want to create a complete backup of Windows 10, combining all four of these tips, you can use backup software. The tool Todo Backup Free combines all four, letting you easily back up and restore your personal files, system settings, and programs.

This software boasts top-notch backup capabilities, ensuring the safety of your files and settings in case of malware attacks or system failures. It lets you back up your files to local drives, cloud storage, external drives, NAS, or a network. You can also perform incremental and differential backups.

Features of Todo Backup Free

• Scheduled backups on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
• Guided backup and recovery in case of system failure.
• Support for multi-path backup storage to ensure data safety.
• Password protection for all backup files.
• Ability to clone disks and individual files on your hard drive.

Since the built-in System Image Backup and Restore tool in Windows 10 (previously in Windows 7) may fail sometimes, we recommend using Todo Backup Free. It's a free trial software. Download and install it on your computer to get started. The steps to use Todo Backup Free are straightforward.

Step 1: Launch Todo Backup on your computer and click “Create Backup” on the main interface. Then, hit the big question mark button to “Select What to Backup.”

Step 2. To back up the Windows operating system, click "OS" to start the backup task.

Step 3. Your Windows operating system and all system-related files and partitions will be selected automatically, so you don't need to do anything here. Next, you'll need to click on the area highlighted in the screenshot below to choose where you want to save your system image backup.

System Backup

Step 4: The backup location can be another local drive on your computer, an external hard drive, a network, the cloud, or a NAS. Generally, we recommend using an external physical drive or the cloud to save your system image files.

Step 5: If you want, click Options to customize settings like enabling automatic backup schedules (daily, weekly, monthly, or event-based), and differential and incremental backups. Click Backup Now, and the Windows backup process will begin. Completed backup tasks will appear as cards on the left side.

Frequently Asked Questions about Windows 10 Backup and Recovery

Other questions you might be interested in about how to back up and restore Windows 10:

Does Windows 10 have a backup and restore feature?

Yes, since most users were already familiar with Backup and Restore from previous versions of Windows, Microsoft decided to keep it in Windows 10 as well. Though File History was introduced, Backup and Restore remained a good option.

How do I back up my entire computer on Windows 10?

The best way to back up your entire computer – including personal files, system settings, and programs – is with a third-party tool like Todo Backup Free, which combines aspects of file history, backup and restore (Windows 7), system restore, and recovery to USB. You can download a trial version of Todo Backup Free to get started.

How do I view a Windows backup?

To check whether File History is running on your computer, go to the Control Panel, choose “System and Security,” and then click “File History” to see the backup status.