Raspberry Pi: create backup

Once your Raspberry Pi is set up and ready for use, you should create a backup so that you can always return to this state. This way you can try out new programs without having to worry about damaging the operating system or inflating it unnecessarily. This practical tip shows you how to create a backup of your Raspberry Pi.

Raspberry Pi Backup: How to make a backup

To back up the operating system and your data on the SD card, you need to create a backup.

1. Shut down your Raspberry Pi with the command "sudo shutdown -h 0".
2. Once your Raspberry Pi shuts down, you can unplug it and remove the SD card.
3. Now insert the SD card into your SD card reader and wait until it is available.
4. Download the Win32 Disk Imager program and install it on your system.
5. Start the Win32 Disk Imager.
6. In the "Image File" path, select the location of the backup you want to create.
7. Under the item Device you have to select the drive letter of the SD card.
8. With a click on "Read" your backup will be created.
9. Finally, you can remove the SD card on the PC, put it back in your Raspberry Pi and connect it to the power.

Raspberry Pi: How to restore your backup

If you want to restore your backup copy of the operating system, you have to do the following:

• Carry out points 1 to 5 as described above.
• Now select the backup you want to restore under "Image File".
• Under the item Device you have to select the drive letter of the SD card.
• Click on the "Write" item to transfer the image to the SD card.
• Finally, you can remove the SD card on the PC, put it back in your Raspberry Pi and connect it to power. The Raspberry now runs again with the status of the imported backup.

We have summarized here how you can keep your installed programs and your Raspberry operating system up to date.

This practical tip describes the procedure with Windows 8.1 as the operating system || Download Win32 Disk Imager