|
Windows 11 FAQ |
1. How do I back up my files in Windows 11?
You can use the File History tool in the Control Panel, System and Security (or Settings, Update & Security, Backup).
a) Attach a USB or other external storage and click on 'Turn on' to begin setting up your backup schedule. If no drive are available, you cannot turn it on.
Note, that there is no way to backup other folders other than your default folders in the user's profile.
b) It will then automatically backup files to the drive for you to a folder called E:\FileHistory (you can view contents in Explorer).
The date and time of the last backup is shown.
You can click on Run Now to do manual backups.
c) Click on the Advanced Settings to change the schedule (default is every hour), the size of the cache (5%)
and how many versions of files are kept (Forever).
2. How do I restore files?
a) First connect your backup drive to the computer and run the File History control panel
b) Click on Restore personal items link on the left side. A list of folder types is shown.
c) Open the folder where the files to restore are located until you find the file(s) required. Then select the files and right click and
select either Restore (to orginal location) or Restore to (to a new location).
3. How do I backup my entire computer?
In Windows 11, if you search for 'File History', there is a additional option called System Image Backup (see bottom left).
Click on Create a system image link on the left side.
Click on System Image Backup and you get the following options to backup to another Hard Disk, DVD or Network location.
You can also backup the system using the Windows Backup tool from the command line (backup all of C: to an external drive E:):
e.g. wbAdmin start backup -backupTarget:E: -include:C: -allCritical -quiet
You can create images of disks using the Dism.exe tool from a Windows PE disk or using Automated Deployment kit (ADK)
e.g. Dism /Compress fast /Capture-Image /ImageFile:D:\System.win /CaptureDir:C:\ Name:"System image" will backup and compress the entire C: drive to an image called System.win on a D: drive.
Alternatively, you can use third party tools such as Acronis TrueImage, Paragon Drive Backup , BootIt Bare Metal or Norton 360. Free backup tools include DriveImage XML, O&O DiskImage and Paragon Backup.
4. Can I backup my files to storage in the cloud (internet)?
Yes, there are now products on the web for backing up to the web including Norton Online Backup, and IDrive, N-Able, Backup Genie and others.
5. How can I clone my hard disk to a new hard disk?
A disk cloning tool can copy paritions and files from one disk to another. The backup tools above can do full hard disk backups and specialist tools such as CloneZilla can just clone a disk for you.