How to Back Up a Windows Computer

Backing Up Personal Data

1. How to Back Up a Windows Computer Picture 1
   Connect another hard drive or flash drive to the computer. This method will help you back up your personal files and folders to another location. This is a faster option that doesn't include a Windows image. If you're backing up to an external or flash drive, make sure it's connected to the computer before you begin.
2. How to Back Up a Windows Computer Picture 2
   Press ⊞ Win+S. This opens the search bar.
3. How to Back Up a Windows Computer Picture 3
   Type control panel.
4. How to Back Up a Windows Computer Picture 4
   Click Control Panel.
5. How to Back Up a Windows Computer Picture 5
   Type backup into the search field. It's at the top-right corner of the Control Panel.
6. How to Back Up a Windows Computer Picture 6
   Click Backup and Restore (Windows 7). Don't worry about the 'Windows 7' part, that's just the name of the tool.
7. How to Back Up a Windows Computer Picture 7
   Click Set up backup.
8. How to Back Up a Windows Computer Picture 8
   Select a backup location. If you're backing up to a drive, select that drive now. Otherwise, click Save on a network… and then select the network location.
9. How to Back Up a Windows Computer Picture 9
   Click Next.
10. How to Back Up a Windows Computer Picture 10
    Choose which files to back up. This depends on your needs:

    1. Select Let Windows choose (recommended) to automatically select everything in your libraries (such as documents, music, photos, and default folders).
    2. Select Let me choose to select files and folders manually.
11. How to Back Up a Windows Computer Picture 11
    Click Next. A summary of your backup will appear for your review.
12. How to Back Up a Windows Computer Picture 12
    Click Save settings and exit. Windows will now back up the selected files and folders to the other location. The amount of time this will take varies by file size and amount.