Choose a backup solution in Windows 10 (2024)

FAQs

How do I choose what to backup on Windows 10? ›

First, launch Windows Backup: select Start , then Windows Backup. You can back up your Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music folders. Simply toggle the switch for each folder On or Off.

We recommend using a cloud-based backup solution. With cloud-based backups: Your data is safely stored in the cloud. You can easily access your content across multiple devices.

In fact, Windows 10 has an automated tool to back up your device and files. If you are looking for a built-in Windows 10 backup program to save essential files locally, you might not have to look too far. Depending on your Windows version, your computer may already have the native Windows backup utility by default.

Microsoft 365 Backup provides ultra-fast backup and restore capabilities by creating backups within the protected services' data boundaries.

By default, Backup and Restore will back up all data files in your libraries, on the desktop, and in the default Windows folders. Additionally, Backup and Restore creates a system image that you can use to restore Windows if your system is not functioning properly.

We recommend backing up your computer in multiple ways so you have both an onsite and an offsite backup. You can back up to an external drive, use an online backup service, back up to a NAS over your local network, or even try a cloud storage service. Everyone loses data at some point in their lives.

You can use the File History feature in Windows 10 to back up to an external drive or network location. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Backup > Add a Drive, and then choose an external drive or network location for your backups (Figure 1).

To turn on Windows backup and choose your backup settings, select Start > Settings > Accounts > Windows backup. Turn on OneDrive folder syncing to start backing up your files and folders right from Settings. This setting is not available for work or school accounts.

You will create automatic backups during a specified schedule and get more options when using Backup and Restore. For example, you can configure the data you want to protect, manage the storage, and restore one or multiple files and the entire device.

You can back up your important folders on your PC & Mac (your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders) with OneDrive, so they're protected and available on other devices.

Can I back up my entire PC to the cloud? ›

Effortless backup

Effortlessly back up your files to the cloud. Set up PC folder backup and OneDrive will automatically back up and sync all the files in your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders.

You can back up your important folders (your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders) on your Windows PC with OneDrive PC folder backup, so they're protected and available on other devices.

To turn on Windows backup and choose your backup settings, select Start > Settings > Accounts > Windows backup.

Click "Add a folder" under the Back up these folders section and choose specific folders you want to backup in Windows 10. Afterward, click Back up now at the top location and start your first file backup. Note: You are also allowed to exclude specific folders by "Exclude these folders" option.