Nowadays, most users routinely backup their data. Unfortunately, most of these backups are kept locally on the same disc, which is a problem that needs greater attention. We advise storing the backups on an external disc and, preferably, a third copy on the cloud as well, if you absolutely want to cover all your data backup bases. However, this article will help you out to find the answer on “windows 11 backup to external drive”. Just keep reading the article without skipping any lines.

Reasons for Windows 11 Backup To External Drivebackup windows 11 to external drive

The necessity to save various types of documents and data is growing among individuals nowadays. The danger of data loss increases, as we are all aware, with the amount of data present. As a result, it is crucial to create a backup of your data before anything happens. So why should you use an external hard disc for file backups? The common causes are here in this article –

  • Prevent unintentional deletion of crucial documents.
  • Increase the storage area.
  • Access the data and files you need whenever and wherever you choose.
  • Don’t let malware, computer viruses, or system breakdowns cause you to lose data.

How To “Backup Windows 11 To External Drive”?

How can “windows 11 backup to external drive be made? It is fairly simple to address this often-requested question from consumers. Here are four techniques for backing up files in Windows 11 to an external hard drive for PC. You can use a trustworthy backup application or the built-in Windows program. Hence, “how to backup windows 11 to external drive”, check out the potential alternatives we have listed below –

Method 1: Backup and Restore

To generate backups of files, folders, and system images, users can utilize Backup and Restore. The instructions for using this program to backup Windows 11 are as follows –Backup and Restore

  • First, Enter control after pressing Win + R.
  • Next, to backup and restore, go to System and Security (Windows 7).
  • Then, to set up a backup, click.
  • Press Next after choosing the drive.
  • If you wish to choose the backup’s contents manually or automatically, choose the relevant option.
  • Go to Change Schedule and click. Set up automatic backups by turning on the Run backup on a schedule option. After setting the frequency, click OK.
  • Then choose Run backup and save settings.
  • Utilizing the Select another backup to restore data from option, you can recover your documents at a later point in time if required.

Method 2: File History

File History, a feature of Windows 11, that you can use as a backup strategy in a second way. It periodically backs up the files on the desktop, documents, music, photographs, and video folders. The number of backup copies you have will grow over time. You can recover the original files if you don’t have them. You can adhere to the criteria listed below –File History

  • First, initialize your computer with an external hard disc connected. Open the System > Storage > Advanced storage options > Backup Options window after that. In Backup using File History, choose to Add a disc after that.
  • Following that, you may choose “More settings” to set the frequency, duration, and types of backups that File History retains.
Backup My Data: 

You may adjust the option for File History, which by default backs up your data every hour. You may do it in a variety of ways, for anything between 10 minutes and 24 hours.

Safeguarding my Backups :

The default setting is for backups to be kept indefinitely, but you may adjust it so that they are kept for between one month and two years before being deleted.

Save a Copy of these Folders: 

By choosing “Add Folder,” you may add other folders that you wish to backup and examine the whole list of folders that are currently present in this window.

  • Save your work when finished, then exit. Click Back up immediately after that. connect the drive to your computer, Windows 11 will immediately back up your data to it.

Method 3: Command Line (wbadmin)Command Line (wbadmin)

The Backup and Restore also includes a wbadmin command-line counterpart, however, it’s not frequently used. You may use this program in the same ways as the GUI version to generate backups, establish schedules, and recover data from the backup. To achieve it, follow these steps –

  • Enter cmd by pressing CTRL + Shift + Enter.
  • The command wbadmin start backup , you can use it to backup the system drive – 

backup include:C: -allCritical -quiet -target:G:

  • Press Enter after changing G: to the desired drive letter and C:, if necessary, to the system drive letter.
  • You should copy the following command to backup multiple partitions –

“wbadmin start backup -backupTarget:G: -include:C:,D:,E:,F: -allCritical –quiet”.

  • Replace G: once again with the desired drive letter. Press Enter after changing C:, D:, E:, and F: to the drive letters of the partitions you wish to backup. You may also delete or add more as required.

Method 4: The System Image

A system image may also be created using the Backup and Restore application, but you don’t have to go through the cumbersome process; you can do it straight away. To achieve it, follow these steps –

  • First, go back to the Backup and Restore page by navigating.
  • Then, go to the left pane and choose Create a system image.
  • Choose the drive on which to keep the backup.
  • When making a system image, the system partitions are selected by default; however, you can optionally choose to include extra partitions.The System Image
  • Now, click Start backup after carefully reviewing the options on the next page.
Read more: WINDOWS 10 SCANNING AND REPAIRING DRIVE STUCK (RESOLVED NOW)

Closing Lines

Hence, all about “windows 11 backup to external drive” was covered in this specific article. Three potential solutions have been offered along with simple instructions. We hope this article would definitely help you to find the answers on “how to backup windows 11 to external drive”. For any further assistance, we are always here to help. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Does Windows 11 have a backup program?

Ans: Backup and restore capabilities as well as File History are incorporated into Windows 11. You may also utilize OneDrive or other third-party applications in addition to those options.

Q2: How do I back up my PC to an external hard drive?

Ans: Use File History to back up your computer. You may backup files using File History to a network site or external storage. Choose an external drive or network location for your backups by selecting Start > Settings > Update & Security > Backup > Add a disc.

Q3: Why are files failing to transfer to an external hard drive?

Ans: There is a potential that the drive is formatting incorrectly or that the device’s software was malfunctioning if you are unable to copy data to an external hard disc. Reformatting the HDD to NTFS will solve the problem.

Q4: Why does Windows no longer copy files?

Ans: Why did my file transfer stop? is a question you could have. Hence, these are some of the potential causes –

  • Antivirus software has prevented the transfer.
  • Either the source or destination discs have file system problems.
  • A certain file system’s file size restriction.