How to Backup Entire PC to External Hard Drive on Windows? Best Solutions
System crashes or hardware damage often happen unexpectedly. Therefore, it's essential to backup the computer in advance. So, how to backup our computer to an external hard drive to avoid data loss? In the following passage, I'll introduce the importance of backing up and two ways to backup the entire PC to an external hard drive.
Part 1: Why do We Need to Backup Entire PC to External Hard Drive?
We need to backup the entire PC to protect our data. By backing up, we will get a copy of essential files. And when the system can't operate normally, we can recover the original system to ensure work continuity. So backup can avoid data loss caused by the following reasons:
- System crash
- Computer virus infection
- Hard drive failure
- Data deletion
- System formatting
- Manufactured mistakes
For data protection, there are various backup storage devices. For example, you can backup the system to another hard drive or the cloud. But using an external hard drive for backup is one of the most efficient ways because of the following features:
- Economical: the price is usually affordable.
- Convenient: it's easy to carry, and you can find important information anytime.
- Storage: it's compatible with all types of files and can save space for the computer.
As a result, it is vital to backup your computer to an external hard drive. So how to backup the computer to an external hard drive? Next, I will introduce backup methods to backup Windows 10 and you can choose the preferred one.
Part 2: How to Backup Entire PC to External Hard Drive?
After you know the importance of backing up and you also know where you want to save the backup. Then, it's time to find a proper method to operate the backup. Here, I will introduce two ways of backing up.
With Windows Built-in Backup Tool - Backup and Restore
As the most widely used operating system in the world, Windows has a built-in tool. And you can create a system image to restore the whole computer. The backup method that comes with the system is free and you can find the detailed steps on the internet.
Use Third-Party Backup Software- Qiling Backup
Qiling Backup is one of the most reliable backup software. It aims at rapid data backup and recovery. Qiling Backup can meet all your demands for backup. And it supports all kinds of Windows, such as Windows 11/10/8 and Windows Vista/XP
Windows Backup and Restore VS Qiling Backup, Which is Better to Backup PC?
Here, I will compare the two ways of backing up the computer:
| Comparison | Windows Built-in Backup Tool | Qiling Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Slow, and longer backup time | Quick, and shorter backup time |
| Security | Inability to protect data from viruses | Encrypt the backup images |
| Compatibility | Unable to connect some drives | Support all kinds of disks |
| Backup types | Full backup and partial backup | Full, incremental, or differential backups |
| Backup plan | Both can set the backup plan and it will do it automatically. | |
And next, I'll introduce how to backup the entire PC to an external disk with these two methods step by step.Now, it's clear that Windows Backup and Restore does help to backup system and partial content on your PC. However, it's not an efficient solution as it takes a longer time to create a backup. Also, you can't backup the computer to an external hard drive with Windows Backup and Restore. Fortunately, you can trust Qiling Backup. Qiling Backup is an excellent choice for creating a comprehensive backup.
Part 3: Backup Entire PC to External Disk with Qiling Backup
As a professional backup software, it would not be difficult to operate. Before using Qiling Backup, you need download and install the software. And then, you can begin your computer backup:
Step 1. To initiate a backup, click the File backup button in the Backup and recovery page.
Step 2. On the left, both local and network files will be shown. You may extend the directory to pick the backup files.
Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions and choose a location to store the backup.
Step 4. Click Options to encrypt the backup with a password in Backup Options. There are also other additional choices you may choose to tailor the backup process to your requirements.
Then click Backup Scheme to specify the backup schedule and start the backup at a certain event.
Step 5. The backup may be stored on a local disk, Qiling' online service, or NAS.
Step 6. Qiling Backup enables customers to back up data to a third-party cloud drive as well as its own cloud drive.
If you want to back up data to a cloud drive provided by a third party, choose Local Drive, scroll down to add Cloud Device, and then add and log in to your account.
Step 7. Click Proceed to begin the backup process. The backup job will be presented as a card on the left side of the panel after it has been finished. Right-click the backup job to handle it further.
- Tip
- 1. Remember to set the backup options before you back up your system. You can set the performance and backup splitting to do a more efficient computer backup.
- 2. In Qiling Backup, you can set the backup scheme to do automatic backup to external hard drive.
Part 4: Backup Entire PC to External Disk with Backup and Restore
Backup and Restore allow you to backup a single file or the whole PC. Backup the entire PC means you can save all your operating systems, programs, and files to another device.
If you want to use the Windows method, you can follow the steps to backup your PC:
Step 1: Connect the external drive to the computer and ensure it can be accessed properly. And then, you can begin to backup the whole PC to the external disk.
Step 2: Find the "Control Panel" on your computer, and click "System and Security" to backup the computer.
Step 3: Select "Backup and Restore(Windows 7)".
Step 4: On the left side, choose "Create a system image" to save all the computer systems to an external hard drive.
Step 5: In the pop-up window, choose where to save the backup and select the attached external hard drive in the "On a hard disk" list.
Step 6: Choose which drives to include in the backup.
Step 7: Next, confirm backup settings: the backup locations and what will be backed up. And then, select "Start backup" to begin the backup process.
- Tip
- 1. Because the Windows Built-in Backup Tool usually takes a long time to proceed with the backup, it's better to backup the system image in your spare time.
- 2. A partial backup of your system can also be made with the Windows built-in tool: find "File history" on the "System and Security" window, and it will save the necessary files.
Conclusion:
We need to be aware of the importance of backup. And backup computer ahead of time to an external hard drive is one of the most efficient ways to protect your data. It is essential to perform regular backups. So knowing a simple and professional backup software can help us save time and money. Besides, Qiling Backup can also make a rapid system image recovery after backing up. If you want to know more about software, you can have a try.
Part 5: How to Backup Entire PC to External Hard Drive on Windows FAQs
Depending on the needs, you have several types of backups to choose, such as full backup or partial backup. and there are some frequently asked questions about backup entire PC to external hard drive:
1. How long does it take to backup a computer to an external hard drive?
It depends on the size of your system. If you choose third-party software, such as Qiling Backup, it would be quicker than the Windows built-in tool.
2. What size external hard drive do I need to backup my pc?
There are many options you can choose to backup your PC. However, if you want to backup the entire PC successfully, you need to ensure disk space is sufficient to save all your Windows 10 or 11 systems.
3. What is a full system backup?
A full system backup is a complete backup of important data or files in your system. Although it takes a longer time to backup, it also means it's easy to recover complete data.
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