Backup Windows 10 to External Hard Drive [The Ultimate 2024 Guide]

Currently, many people find it straightforward to protect their information, media files, documents, and other details. They can add the desired files to their personal computers and create backups to save further.

For this purpose, Windows 10 comes equipped with a built-in Backup and Restore utility. However, there are benefits to be had from backing up system files to another external hard drive, such as increased portability and data protection.

If you're wondering how to effectively back up Windows 10 to an external hard drive, backup and recovery software like Todo Backup can be of great help. Before getting started, it's essential to know the details about system backup. We'll cover everything in this article.

What does a Windows 10 backup include?

A backup of Windows 10 can include both file backups and system backups. If you want to back up and restore your Windows files and the operating system as a whole, there are some built-in tools you can use. These tools are useful for backing up all sorts of data, like document files, emails, contacts, media files, and so on.

While most regular users will be concerned with backing up and restoring these elements, a complete Windows 10 computer backup also entails storing data of hidden files and deeper elements within Windows and its menus. These can be more complicated for non-technical users, who may not know where to start looking for items such as codes, commands, drive data, and so on.

The main backup features in Windows 10 are File History and Backup and Restore (Windows 7), which are accessible via system recovery tools, but the user experience is far from ideal.

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# Why Back Up Windows 10 to an External Hard Drive?

Data loss is a concern for most people, because so much of what individuals use or care about is digital, such as the lone copy of an important document that a user might lose when his or her operating system crashes.

This is where adhering to a 3-2-1 backup rule and using backup tools can help make secondary storage a safety net in case of emergency data loss. There are several reasons why it's necessary to back up system data to an external hard drive:

1. Anti-virus/Software Crash Protection

If something goes wrong, such as a bug, virus, or system crash, the files are preserved in a separate folder that is not connected to the master system. Thus, problems that might wipe out the entire system do not permanently damage all of the data.

2. Safeguards against hard drive failures

The hard drive in your computer is the central location for most of your data. Hence, any flaws, damage, or outdated condition of the HDD can lead to extreme data loss. Backing up Windows 10 to an external hard drive helps you secure your files in a secondary storage device.

3. Greater accessibility

Saved externally, files can be accessed from anywhere, and they are easier to organize and retrieve. This does help with the smoother management of system files.

Fourth, reliable post-disaster alternatives.

Since events like floods, fires, and thefts are unpredictable, an external backup can provide better protection for your data against these potential emergencies.

Best Windows 10 backup software: Create a Windows 10 backup image on an external hard drive

Users who create backups of all their files with the regular built-in Windows backup utility find that it works well enough in most cases, but it's really best suited to tech-savvy users or those with some technical knowledge.

A more convenient alternative is to use reliable Windows backup software, like Todo Backup, to back up Windows 10 to an external hard drive. It offers advanced yet intuitive backup/restore features, along with a comprehensive technical support system, to provide the best customer service.

The software offers numerous backup and data recovery benefits for individual and home users. You can expect complete security against ransomware or malware, ensuring that all your private and important information is protected from unauthorized access. Additionally, users can freely transfer files, upgrade, clone disks, or clone partitions. Furthermore, you can easily set up notifications for backups and other settings.

Many of its features, such as cloning, backup data import/export, and command-line backup, are premium add-ons. However, the free version still comes with some excellent perks. For example, Todo Backup users get 250GB of free cloud storage for their data.

How to Automatically Back Up Windows 10 to an External Hard Drive or USB Flash Drive

With the right tool, such as Todo Backup, backing up Windows 10 to an external hard drive is straightforward. You can follow the steps below to back up your computer to an external hard drive in Windows 10.

Step 1: Launch the Todo Backup software and choose what you want to back up.

Step 2: Choose among four backup types: files, disk, system, and email. Select what you want to back up.

Select Backup Source

Step 3: Once you've selected the backup source, tap the “Options” button at the bottom of the screen.

Step 4. Click the Backup Schedule tab > On Event Occurrence.

Step 5: Click the “Execute Backup” dropdown, and then select “Insert USB Device.” Click “OK.”

Step 6. Choose where to back up to – another local hard drive, a network drive, or cloud storage.

Select the backup destination location.

Step 7. The automated backup is now enabled.

In general, backing up all your data, system files, partitions, and disks is necessary to prevent sudden or severe data loss. In this regard, Todo Backup is a reliable software worth trying, offering high-quality features, user-friendly operations, and advanced functions. Hence, you can give it a try for scheduled or automatic full or partial data backup.

If you encounter the "The drive is not a valid backup location" issue, this article can help you effectively resolve the problem.

The Benefits of Backing Up Windows 10 to an External Hard Drive

Saving Windows 10 to an external hard drive or USB means creating a full image of the operating system, including settings, configurations, system files, and installed apps. There are several advantages to backing up your computer to an external drive with Windows 10, such as

By backing up important files to an external hard drive, you can easily manage and organize your data, ensuring easier access and retrieval when needed.

Read More: How to Restore System Image from External Hard Drive in Windows 10

Frequently Asked Questions About Backing Up Windows 10 to an External Hard Drive

As an added bonus, we've also compiled a list of frequently asked questions about backing up Windows 10 to an external hard drive, along with their answers. Let's take a look!

What is the best way to back up Windows 10?

To back up your Windows 10 system files, you can use the built-in Backup and Restore feature. You can also save your data with File History. In addition to that, a good idea is to use a comprehensive external backup program to protect your files.

How do I back up my entire computer to an external hard drive?

Tools like Todo Backup help secure a computer's data and system files, and enhance its safety, by allowing all data to be backed up to an external hard drive or the cloud.

3. Can Windows 10 be installed on an external hard drive?

To copy multiple files, hold the "Ctrl" key while selecting additional files or folders. Once you've made your selections, make sure you're on the "Home" tab, then click "Organize" and select "Copy." From the list of options, choose the name of your external storage device. The files and folders will begin copying to your drive.