How to Create a Full Back up on a Windows 11 Computer?

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In this article you will learn everything you need to know about how to create a full backup of Windows 11 computer easily. The article also sheds light on data recovery in case of any data loss that can happen during the upgrading to Windows 11 or taking backup of Windows using a professional data recovery software Remo Recover.

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With so much important information stored on your computer, you can never be too safe when it comes to backing up your data. One of the best ways to ensure that your data is safe is to create a full backup of your computer.

A full backup includes saving a copy not only of everything on your hard drive, but also of your operating system and all your system settings. With a full back up on hand, you can easily get your computer running smoothly again after a hard drive failure, ransomware attack, or another digital catastrophe.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to create a full back up on a Windows 11 computer.

Getting Started

Before you start the process of creating a full backup of your computer, you’ll need to have an external hard drive available to store your backup. You can use a USB flash drive, but make sure it has enough space to backup all your files.

Ideally, this hard drive should only be used to store your backup and nothing else. That way, you can put it in a secure place and it won’t ever be connected to a computer that’s potentially infected with malware.

Creating a Backup: Step-by-step Instructions

Windows 11 has a built-in module called Backup and Restore. This is what we’ll use to create a system image for your computer.

Step 1: Launch Backup and Restore

To launch Backup and Restore:

  • Open the Windows 11 search bar and type in Control Panel.
  • Open the Control Panel.
  • Click on System and Security.
  • Select Backup and Restore (Windows 7)
  • Click the Create System Image button in the left-hand panel.

Note: The Backup and Restore module has not been updated since Windows 7, but still works smoothly on Windows 11.

Step 2: Choose Your Backup Settings

In the backup window that appears, select the location where you want to save your system image. If you have connected an external drive, select on a hard disk and then choose your drive from the drop-down menu.

Click Next.

Windows 11 will automatically include your operating system, hard drive, and recovery files in the system image. Make sure that your external drive has enough space for the backup.

Click Next.

Step 3: Start Your Backup

Click Start backup to start your backup.

The backup process will run in the background, so you can continue using your computer during this time. Depending on the size of your hard drive, the backup process can take several hours.

Restoring a Backup on Windows 11

Hopefully you never need to use your system image to clean up after a breakdown on your computer. But if you do, here’s how you can restore your computer from the backup you created.

Step 1: Launch Windows Setup

If your computer is booting up from scratch, you’ll see a bootable drive page instead of the usual Windows login screen. Press any key to continue and launch the Windows Setup wizard.

Click Next, then click Repair your computer.

Step 2: Find Your System Image

In the menu that appears, click Troubleshoot. Then select System Image Recovery and choose Windows 11.

Make sure the external hard drive with your backup is connected. Select Use the latest available system image and Windows will automatically find the latest backup on your drive. Then click Next.

Step 3: Partition Your Hard Drive

Windows will ask whether you wish to format and repartition your computer’s primary hard drive before restoring your system from the backup. This will erase any data still contained on the drive, so do not accept this request if you have data on your drive that you want to access later. If you are using a new hard drive, then formatting and repartitioning is a good idea.

Step 4: Restore

Click Next, then click Finish. Windows will begin copying your system image to your computer’s primary hard drive, which can take up to several hours.

Step 5: Check for Updates

Once your system restore is finished, it’s a good idea to check for any Windows updates. Search for Settings and open the Settings app. Then click Windows Updates and select Check for Updates. Install any recommended updates to your computer.

Recovering Files without a Backup

If you lose data from your computer and you don’t have a system image already, you still have options for getting your data back. Remo Recover can restore data from an internal or external hard drive after most data loss events. That includes data loss due to a damaged hard drive, system crash, or file transfer gone wrong.

In addition, Remo Recover can recover a lost system image. If you find that your Windows 11 backup is lost, Remo Recover can be used to recover the backup file and copy it onto a new hard drive. From there, the system image can be restored to your computer following the steps above.

Windows 11 Backup Tips

It’s a smart idea to get in the habit of backing up your computer every several months. That way, you always have a fresh copy of your files and system settings on hand in case of a disk failure. The more recent your backup, the less work you must do to get your computer back to where it was before disaster struck.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you can save a Windows 11 system image to the cloud if you have a cloud storage account. This is a secure alternative to keeping your backup on a hard drive, which could be damaged or lost if it’s not stored carefully.

Conclusion

Creating a complete backup of your Windows 11 computer is very easy. Having a system image ready to go can save you a massive headache down the road if your hard drive crashes or your computer is infected with malware.

If you find yourself without a system image ready to restore, you can use Remo Recover to restore data from a damaged hard drive.

About the Author: Michael Graw

Michael is a freelance writer and editor based in Bellingham, Washington. He has spent 6+ years writing about tech trends, business software, and data management for publications, including TechRadar, Tom's Guide, Business2Community, and Top10.com. Along the way, he's discovered the importance of reliable data recovery software. Michael is enthusiastic about making software and tech more…