Although, the legacy “Backup & Restore (Windows 7)” tool has been officially depreciated by Microsoft (since version 1709 of Windows 10), it is still available in Windows 11 and can be used to create System Image Backups of the entire operating system and Back up Files located on the local hard disk of the computer to an external storage drive.
However, you need to be aware that the “Backup & Restore” tool is no longer being developed, updated and managed by Microsoft, which should make you treat this tool as an additional or complimentary backup solution; along with other built-in options like File History, Windows Backup App (OneDrive-based) or third-party backup solutions.
Use “Backup & Restore” Tool in Windows 11/10
Before going ahead with the steps to create System Image Backup or Back up files to an external storage drive using the “Backup & Restore” tool, make sure that the USB Drive or External storage drive attached to the computer has sufficient storage capacity and it is formatted to the recommended NTFS Format.
The reason for NTFS being the recommended file format is due to FAT32 having a maximum file size limitation of 4 GB; which makes it incapable of handling large files.
1. Create System Image Backup Using “Backup & Restore” Tool
The “System Image Backup” as created by “Backup & Recovery Tool” can be described as a complete snapshot of the computer at a given point of time. It includes all files, photos, apps, desktop programs, settings, operating system files and almost everything located on the computer.
1. Connect the USB Drive or External Storage Device to USB Port of the computer.
2. Type Control Panel in the Search bar and click on Control Panel in the Search results.
3. On the Control Panel screen, switch to Large Icons view and click on Backup & Restore (Windows 7).
4. On the next screen, click on Create a System Image option.
5. On the next screen, select the External Drive where you want to store the System Image Backup and click on Next.
6. Wait for the computer to complete the process of creating the System Image Backup. The time to create System Image Backup depends on the amount of data available on your computer.
2. Backup Files Using “Backup & Restore” Tool
You can follow the steps below to Backup Files located on the local hard disk of your computer to an external storage drive.
1. Plug USB Drive (External Storage Device) to USB Port of the computer.
2. Open Control Panel > switch to Large Icons view and click on Backup & Restore (Windows 7).
3. On Backup & Restore screen, click on Setup Backup option, located under “Backup” section.
4. On the next screen, select the attached Backup Drive and click on Next.
Note: You can also Backup Files to OneDrive, Google Drive or Drop Box by clicking on Save on Network… button.
5. On the next screen, select Let Windows Choose or “Let me Choose” option and click on the Next button.
Note: If the Backup Drive has limited storage space, select Let Me Choose option and manually select the Files and Folders to be included in the Backup.
6. Since, you are making a one-time Backup; click on Change Schedule.
7. On the next screen, uncheck Run backup on a schedule option and click on OK.
8. After disabling “Run backup on schedule” option, click on Save settings and run backup button to Backup the selected files to an External storage drive attached to the computer.
3. Restore Files Using “Backup & Restore” Tool
If you end up deleting files or losing files due to a problem, you can follow the steps below to Restore Back the lost Files on your computer.
1. Open the Control Panel on your computer.
2. On the Control Panel screen, click on Backup & Restore (Windows 7).
3. On Backup and Restore screen, click on Restore My Files button located under “Restore” section.
4. On the next screen, click on Browse for Folders button to select the Folders from the Backup that you want to Restore.
5. After selecting Folders, click on Next to start the process of restoring Folders from the Backup to your computer.