Many PC users mistakenly overlook the importance of backing up the Windows image because... They think that nothing bad will happen to their operating system and that it will work stably and reliably for a long time. But then rainy day X comes and the system, due to certain reasons (virus attack, etc.), stops responding to commands or does not boot at all.

No matter what you do, nothing helps and all that remains is to reinstall the OS, followed by the tedious process of searching and installing, setting up previous programs. But everything could have been much simpler if there was a backup copy. It would take a matter of minutes to restore full functionality and all applications would be in place.

In this article we will look at simple instructions on how to make a backup copy of Windows 10 using a built-in, standard tool. A backup copy means a complete image of the system with all programs and settings installed at the time the copy was created. Those. after a potential failure and restoration of the system from the image, the user receives the state of the operating system at the time the copy was created.

How to create a backup of Windows 10 using a standard backup tool

To get to the function you are looking for, right-click on the “Start” menu, then follow the following path: Control Panel – System and Security – Backup and Restore. There is another alternative path: Start – Settings – Update and Security – Backup Service – Go to the “Backup and Restore” section.

In the new window, click on the “Create a system image” tab.

Then you should select the location where the system image will be stored. In my case, an external HDD drive is selected.

In the next window we indicate which disks will be included in the archiving. System drive C will be backed up by default.

As you can see, the required space to save this archive is quite large and it will take some time to create the image.

Once the procedure is complete, you will be prompted to create a system repair disc.

If you do not have a free disk at hand, then you should refuse this offer.

How to run Windows 10 recovery

You can restore the system from a backup image in several ways: from the recovery environment of the working operating system and using a boot device (if the system does not boot).

If you have problems with Windows 10, but this does not affect its ability to boot, you can enter the recovery environment through the Settings application. You should follow the following path: Start – Settings – Update and Security – Recovery. In the “Special boot options” section, click on “Restart now”.

If Windows 10 does not boot, then you can get into the recovery environment from installation media, for example from bootable flash drive. After opening the recovery partition, look for a window with additional parameters, and then restore the system using the image.

In this article we will look at how to create a Windows 10 backup of the entire operating system at the moment with all installed programs. If suddenly your computer stops working normally and you decide to reinstall the OS, the system will provide the opportunity to reset the settings to their original state.

A system reset is essentially a rollback to the state that was immediately after installing Windows 10. If we have a backup copy of Windows 10 with all the programs installed, then we literally get a working computer in a few minutes, and we will not need to install the programs again.

In order to create a backup copy of Windows 10, go to Control Panel >> Update and Security >> Backup Service >> Backup and Restore (Windows 7)

In the window that opens, on the left side, click “Create a system image”

Next, at this stage, you need to select the location where we will store a copy of the system image. By default, the system itself suggested the required partition for storage. But there are also other options available for saving a backup. As we can see, in addition to saving information on the hard drive, it is possible to save it on a DVD drive and in a network folder, if available.

Wait for the process to complete; archiving will take 15-20 minutes. The Windows 10 backup will be saved on “Local Disk D” and its name will be WindowsImageBackup. Now we have the opportunity to restore the entire Windows 10 system to a working computer state.

As you can see, we didn’t do anything complicated, so after installing Windows, after installing all the drivers, all the necessary programs, be sure to create a backup copy of Windows 10, so that in case of problems, you can quickly roll back the system.

Backup Windows 10 with Aomei Backupper Standard

Perhaps the easiest way to make a backup copy of Windows 10 is to use a special free program for creating a backup or restoring system AOMEI Backupper Standard.

After you launch the program, go to the "Backup" tab. Here are 4 options for backup:

• System backup
• Backing up hard drives to an image file;
• Backing up partitions and dynamic volumes to an image file;
• Backup files and folders to an image file.

As you already understood, we need to select the first option “System backup”. Next, specify the name of the backup copy and specify where the copy of the Windows 10 system will be saved. The program itself can select the appropriate location, but you can also set it yourself by specifying the path to save in “Step 2.” This could be a folder, drive, or network drive. Click "Launch".

A backup copy is a very important thing. It’s better that you never need it, but with a Windows computer (like with any other) anything can happen. So you need to know how to create a backup Windows 10 in case your favorite computer fails or breaks down.

Please note that this is about full copy Windows. That is, just as it is - with applications, settings, icons on the desktop, and so on. Backing up can make your life a lot easier, so it's worth spending a few minutes of your time on.

The system has built-in tools for creating backups, so you don’t need third-party software. A little patience and everything will be done. Recovery software from other developers is a topic for a separate instruction.

How to Backup Windows 10

The backup copy is ready to use.

How to restore a Windows 10 backup

Now the next question arises, how to restore a Windows 10 backup? You can go to the backup recovery interface in various ways. From under the system, when booting from an installation disk or from a special recovery disk.

When you are in the Windows Advanced Boot Options section, click on Restoring the system image. After this, the system will open the recovery wizard and automatically find the last backup created. If you have several of them, you can manually specify the path to the required backup.

The next step is to select the partitions on which the data from the backup will be written. Confirm your choice and wait for the recovery procedure to complete.

The Windows 10 operating system continues to delight us with new and interesting features. This time the “System Backup” function is available to us; in other words, we will be able to create a copy (image) of the system, which is usually used to restore the computer if any failure occurs.

The copy kit contains drivers and important files necessary to start the system, as well as all programs installed by the user. This way, you can return the system to the moment when the Windows backup was created.

This function is greatly superior, as it allows you to fully operate.

It is advisable that you make a backup copy immediately after installing Windows OS, because over time you install a lot of programs, the disk space is already occupied, and accordingly the copy of the system will be more massive and take up more space, although you can create it on an external drive . In general, install the system and a couple of important programs, and then make a backup copy.

We'll look at two ways to create a copy: using the built-in function and third-party software. Go.

How to create a backup of Windows 10?

Finally we move on to the important process. Creating a backup copy of Windows 10 is a very important point, which is necessary to resuscitate your system if something happens. The tenth version provides a function and here’s how to use it:

• Click on search on the taskbar and enter the phrase there "Backup" and then click on the result that appears.

• A window will open where you need to click on the link on the left "Creating a system image";

• Another window will open, this time the backup program. There we select the location where it will be saved, for example, a hard drive, flash drive, DVD. Choose a convenient option and click "Further";

• Next we are asked to select the partitions that will be included in the backup. The system partition is usually selected by default; if not, then be sure to select it. Prepare a drive of sufficient size to accommodate the backup files;

• When you have selected all the sections that are important to you, you can click the button "Archive";

• If you have a lot of data on your computer, creating a backup copy will take a long time.

When archiving is completed, the system will offer the option of creating a recovery disk, which is needed for unexpected unfortunate problems with the system.

How to restore Windows 10 using a backup?

Now we already have everything we need for restoration, let’s now show how this process occurs. You need to do a few simple steps:

• We take the recovery disk or other drive used for this purpose that you created;

• Take a boot disk or USB flash drive with Windows 10 and boot from it. Select an item "System Restore";

• You can also enter recovery mode from Windows. To do this, you need to go to Start, go to the Shutdown item and, while holding down the SHIFT key, restart the computer; do not release the key until a blue window with parameters appears;

Choose a section "Extra options" and find the item there "System Image Restore". You may be asked to select your account and enter a password. Let's do it.

The recovery utility will start working. It will search for the image on the disk. If your image is located on an external drive, then you can specify the path to it.

After selecting the image, click the button "Further". We will go to the next window where you can format partitions or install any drivers. If you need to leave everything unchanged, just click "Further".

In the last couple we must indicate the username, time. Then click the “Finish” button, after which a confirmation window for our action will appear, it will say that the data from the image disk will be deleted. We confirm the action.

All that remains is to wait for the end of the process, which can last several minutes or several hours. At the end of the process, you will see your usual operating system window.

How to backup Windows 10 using AOMEI BACKUPPER?

Now we've moved on to software that can make the process even better. To create a backup, I preferred the AOMEI Backupper utility, since it is free and everything you need is included in the functionality.

Making a backup in AOMEI Backupper

1. To get started, download the utility from the official website and install;
2. Launch Backupper and click on the partition "Backup", where you need to select the item "System Backup";

1. In the next step we can call our copy something, and in paragraph "Step2" select the location where the backup will be created. There is a button just below "Backup Option"— fine settings item. If you do not have experience working with such programs, then it is better not to change anything there;

1. After such a small number of steps completed, the creation of a Windows backup will begin. The exact time cannot be said here, it all depends on the speed of your disk.

After the process is completed, the backup image will be created and placed in the location you specified.

How to restore Windows 10 from a backup created by AOMEI Backupper?

System recovery can only be done using this program, because it was in it that you backed up Windows. You can run it both from Windows and from a bootable drive. The second option is the most preferable, especially since Windows cannot always be loaded.

How to make a bootable USB flash drive AOMEI Backupper?

• The best option would be to use a flash drive, which you must first insert into the USB connector of your laptop or computer; if there is none, then take any DVD;

• Launch AOMEI Backupper and select the partition "Utilities";

• Now select the “Create Bootable Media” section;

• A window will open in which we are asked to create a boot disk based on Windows or Linux. Select the option that is most convenient for you and click the button "Next";

• When selecting the Linux option, we will be asked to select the drive used as boot drive. After selecting the disk or flash drive, press the button again "Next";

• In no more than a minute, the boot disk/flash drive with AOMEI Backupper will be ready, and you can start from this disk. When the process is complete, do not forget to press the button "Finish".

Sometimes the operating system may not boot, but since we have a disk with the AOMEI Backupper utility, by booting from it we can restore the system to a working state from the backup we created.

After booting from AOMEI Backupper, you will see exactly the same window as when you launch the program from Windows. Go to item "Restore", and then click on the button "Path". Select a recovery image, sometimes it will be detected automatically.

We look at what settings the program offers us, if everything is fine, then press the button "Start Restore".

The process of restoring system partitions will begin. Wait a certain amount of time, after which Windows 10 will boot normally.

If there is something you don’t understand, write about it in the comments.

The backup function includes a bit by bit copy of the entire system. A Windows backup includes the complete installation of the operating system, application settings, personal data, even the desktop background. You can transfer all information from your hard drive to another computer. Its main function is that you can restore the system after critical errors, hardware or software failure. The disadvantage is that you will not be able to recover individual files, but it is quite possible to extract some photographs or documents. Remember! Backups should be done periodically so that if Windows crashes, you don’t lose important files. For example, I had a problem when I was converting partition styles from MBR to GPT and in my case everything went wrong. I connected a flash drive with a Windows 10 backup and everything remained as it was.

How to Backup a Windows 10 Image

• Go to Control Panel and press system and safety.

• Select.

• Click bottom left.

• Left side.

• Choose where exactly you want to save your copy. This can be a local drive, a network computer, a flash drive, or a CD.

• I make an entire copy of the hard drive, but you can only do a separate local drive on which the system is located. Then you can go about your business at the computer and wait for the process to complete. After finishing, you will also be asked to create one from which you can boot and run the process from the backup copy, but it is better to create it manually.

Restoring your computer from a Windows 10 backup

Connect the device on which a copy of your system is located, and restart the computer from the windows installation disk. Look, . During windows installation, click Further, then select Restore your computer, which is located in the lower left corner of the screen. Next click on Troubleshooting, click Extra options and select System Recovery Image. Select the system you want to restore, click Next and Finish.