This video covers multiple ways to back up your data in Windows 11, including using File History, OneDrive, and System Restore. Learn how to keep your files safe and easily recover your system settings if something goes wrong.
In this video, we’ll review ways you can back up your data in Windows 11. Back up your files to an external hard drive. Click on the Windows “Start” button and search for “File History”. Open the result. In the “File History” window, make sure the right drive destination is chosen and then turn on File History. Click “Run now” to perform a backup of the current files. Save files to the cloud with Microsoft OneDrive. Click on the cloud icon in the right corner of your taskbar and sign in with your Microsoft account creds.
Change the folder location if necessary, and click “Next”. Use the current folder or choose a new one and follow any setup instructions. When you open OneDrive, you will see a list of its contents and their status. You can also use the Windows 11 Backup Assistant to protect your data. After signing in to your Microsoft account, click on the Windows “Start” button and open “Settings”. Click on “Accounts” and scroll down to select “Windows backup”. In the “Windows backup” screen, click “Manage sync settings” next to “OneDrive folder syncing”.
Choose the files you want to be backed up to OneDrive and click on “Start backup”. While the backup is in progress, toggle on or off “Remember my apps” and “Remember my preferences” on the “Windows backup” page. A System Restore is not a direct backup option, but is useful in the case of a software failure. Enabling System Restore prevents you from having to reinstall the entire operating system by saving your system configuration and apps. It will also create a restore point with the option to roll back your PC.
To perform a system restore, click on the Windows “Start” button and search for “Create a restore point”. Open the result. Select “System Restore” in the “System Protection” tab. Click “Next” on the “System Restore” wizard. Select a restore point from the list and click “Next” to continue.
Note, that the button “Scan for affected programs” shows all the programs and drivers that will be affected by the restore. Click “Finish” and then “Yes” to confirm the restore point. The process might take a few minutes to complete. If you have questions about any of these backup options, contact us via one of the options on our support website so we can assist you.
