Backup and restore: what is it good for?
In this practical tip, we show you what "Backup and restore" is good for under Windows. You can back up your files and create backups using the tools included in Backup and Restore. It doesn't matter whether you want to back up private files or Windows system images.
Backup and restore: what is it actually?
- "Backup and restore" offers a backup for your personal data. Here you can set whether and how you want to regularly back up your own files. Be it on an external hard drive, another internal hard drive or even on the USB stick. With the appropriate configuration, it is also possible to burn the files to CDs. With a backup plan, Windows takes care of the backups automatically.
- But Windows does not only offer a backup feature for your own files. It also includes functions that you can use to back up certain parts of your system. This is particularly useful if you are dependent on the correct functioning of your system at all times. If you ever have a problem with a virus or a defect on your hard drive, the system can be restored to the state from the backup. You can also decide whether you would rather make a one-time or regular backup.
- When you back up your entire Windows system for the first time, it will take some time. With later backups, the backup data is only compared and updated, so that the process works much faster.
- You can also create a recovery drive here. This is an area on your hard drive or disk that stores special Windows information. Windows can use this information to repair itself in the event of a system failure.
Backup and restore: how does it work?
The processes in "Backup and Restore" are almost fully automatic. You just have to decide what you want to back up. Then choose where you want to save it. Windows does the rest automatically. If you want, you can also set here whether the backups should be carried out manually or according to a schedule. If you want to restore your data from a backup, connect your backup medium and simply select the appropriate backup.
- Choose what data you want to back up.
- Decide on a medium on which the backups are to be saved. Note: We recommend that you use an external hard drive. In the event of a system failure, this is not affected.
- Set up a backup plan. Alternatively, you can do the backups manually.
- At this point you are done and Windows will make the first backup.
Windows 10: How to secure your system
In the next practical tip, we will show you how to delete backup data that is no longer used under Windows.