Being Tricky
The short answer
To back up Windows PC files before an upgrade, use two methods together: the built-in Windows Backup app, which saves your main folders, settings…
At a glance
About 30 minutes · Advanced · For Windows
Key point 1 of 5
The safest setup is two copies in two places: one in the cloud and one on a drive you can unplug.
Key point 2 of 5
An external USB drive with more free space than your files take up.
Key point 3 of 5
Windows Backup is a built-in app on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Key point 4 of 5
File History copies your personal folders to an external drive and keeps older versions of each file, so you can go back to yesterday's copy of a…
Key point 5 of 5
A plain copy is the simplest backup and the easiest to check.
Watch out
Folder backup works by syncing those folders with OneDrive.
You might ask
Should I back up before upgrading to Windows 11? Yes. The upgrade is designed to keep your files, apps and settings, and usually does.
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Being Tricky