How to Back up in Windows 10

Every time we keep more and more information on our computers, all kinds of files, documents, photos, videos and even many of them have important and confidential information. This makes a disk failure a big problem, hence the importance of having a good backup system of everything we do not want to lose no matter what happens. And it is that in addition to a failure at the hardware level, it is possible that any virus or malware can destroy the information stored on our computer.

That is why many security experts affirm that the best system to avoid losing our information if we are infected by some type of threat is to have a backup copy of our files. Therefore, we are going to show you a complete guide to everything we have to take into account when making a backup in Windows 10 and the different ways to create a copy of our files.

In this way, when faced with any unforeseen circumstance, we can always easily recover all our files. Needless to say, we always have to store backups in a different storage unit or even use some of the cloud storage systems.

Back up in Windows 10

What is a backup and types

A backup, backup or backup is, as its name suggests, a copy of those important files that we want to keep safe so that we can recover them in the event that we lose them, inadvertently delete them or get damaged for any reason. . We could say that there are two main types of backups, file backups and system backups.

File backups are those that allow us to keep an exact copy of all those important files that we do not want to lose, documents, applications, photos, videos, etc., while system backups are the ones that are in charge of copy the complete system from our computer.

These types of system copies allow us to create a replica of the entire Windows operating system on our computer together with the programs, files and even system configuration settings. A somewhat more complex but very useful process, since it allows us to restore our equipment as we had it at the time we made the copy. Something that can save us a lot of trouble and time until we leave our equipment fully operational after some serious problem.

Important files and folders when creating a backup

  When we have to make a backup of files in Windows 10, it is important to note that, in addition to the personal folders where we have stored our documents, photos, etc., there are other folders on our hard drive that we must also take into account. These are folders in which by default the system itself stores certain files or information that is interesting to back up, as is the case of the programs, documents, downloads, etc. folder.

AppData and ProgramData  

Within the path C: Users Username we find the folders AppData and ProgramData. Inside the first we find the Roaming and Local folders, being in the first one where data is stored that can be moved with the user to another computer, while in Local the saved data is specific to the system that cannot be moved to another . Therefore, it is not necessary to back up the entire AppData folder, since we can ignore the Local folder.

In the case of the C: ProgramData folder, which is the one that the operating system uses to store the configuration of applications that are not specifically linked to users, let’s find applications that we no longer use or that we will not use from now on, therefore, it is recommended that you only back up the necessary ones.

Documents

The C: UsersDocuments folder is the location used by the system for users to save their personal files and documents. However, most applications do not take this into account and each application usually saves its files within the installation path of each application. Therefore, it is convenient to review what we have stored in C: UsersDocuments and assess whether it is worth making a backup copy of this folder or not. However, if we find something that we do not want to lose, we can also move it to another folder and avoid making a copy of it.

Downloads

The folder C: UsersDownloads is where all the files or applications that we download are stored. Therefore, it is important to review what we have in it before making a backup. If there is something we want to save we can move it to another path, while if they are applications that we may not even have installed yet, the best thing to do is not to back up this folder and we will save a lot of space.

Mail

Depending on whether we use IMAP or POP3 mail, then it will be important for us to back up or not our email messages and contacts. This time, depending on the email client we use, we should look at some folders or others. For example, if we use Outlook, we should make backup copies of the folders listed below if we do not want to lose the messages, contacts, notes, tasks and calendars of the mail.

  • C: / Users / {Username} / AppData / Local / Microsoft / Outlook
  • C: / Users / {Username} / AppData / Roaming / Microsoft / Outlook
  • C: / Users / {Username} / Documents / Outlook Files
  • C: / Users / {Username} / AppData / Local / Microsoft / Outlook

Games

If we are Steam users or have other titles installed on our computer, it is important to take into account certain folders in the case of local installations and to have the Steam Cloud synchronization activated to be able to restore our games from the platform at any time from our computer and other computer.

In the case of Steam, to activate synchronization with the cloud, we have to go to Steam> Settings, click on the Cloud tab and then activate Steam Cloud for the games that support it. To see which of those we have are compatible with this option, we have to go to the Library, activate the list view and we will see how the games that support the function have the cloud icon.

For non-Steam games, we will have to take into account certain folders where their data is stored:

  • C: / ProgramData / {Game Name}
  • C: / Program Files / {Game Name}
  • C: / Program Files / Steam / steamapps / common / {Game Name}
  • C: / Program Files / Steam / {Username} / {Game Name}
  • C: / Users / {Username} / AppData / Roaming / {Game Name}
  • C: / Users / {Username} / AppData / Local / {Game Name}
  • C: / Users / {Username} / Documents / {Game Name}
  • C: / Users / {Username} / Documents / My games / {Game Name}
  • C: / Users / {Username} / Saved Games / {Game Name}

Music, images and videos

Much of the files stored on a computer are music, images and videos, therefore, we must pay attention to the folders offered by the Windows operating system itself to store this type of files. Many of the applications for music playback on the PC use their own folders to store their files, therefore, we must check whether in C: Users {Username} Music, C: Users {Username} Images and C: Users {Username} Videos.

Applications, Windows folder and temporary files

Although the C: Program Files and C: Program Files (x68) folders contain the applications installed on the computer, the truth is that it is not enough simply to copy and paste them to get them to work again, therefore, they are directories that we can not include in the backups. Of course, it is worth checking if we have any portable application, since in this case if they are files that we may be interested in supporting.

Possibly, the C: Windows folder is one of the first that we think we should include in a backup, but the truth is that this will not allow us to restore the system, so we can completely ignore it. In order to restore the system, as we will see a little later, we will need to create a system image.

Temporary files are exactly that, files that are created at a certain time and that are no longer necessary later, therefore, we should not include in our backups the folders where temporary files are stored.

How to back up files

Luckily, Microsoft allows us different ways to create a backup in Windows 10. Next, we are going to show the steps to follow to create a security backup with file history, create a restore point or an image of the system.

File history

To make a backup of our data using File History in Windows 10, the first thing to know is that we need to connect or have connected an external memory unit in which we are going to save the copy. Once we have connected it, these are the steps to follow:

  • We open the Windows 10 Settings page.
  • We go to the option Update and security> Backup.
  • Inside the Backup copy with File History we add a drive.
  • We wait for it to detect the storage unit where we want to keep the backup and that we have to have connected to the computer.
  • We select it and continue the process.  

copia de seguridad

Windows 10 also gives us the option to set how often a file History backup is made. We can configure it from every 10 minutes to once a day, being able to choose what best suits us based on our needs. In addition, it is also possible to indicate if we want to save the backup permanently, delete it from time to time or even only when necessary, that is, when the system detects that some disk space needs to be freed.

Windows File History backs up your most important folders like desktop, documents, downloads, images, music, etc. However, from the options found within the configuration, it is possible to add other folders or remove some of the default ones.

Restore point

To create a backup in Windows 10, the system itself offers us another tool. We refer to the possibility of creating a system restore point from which, we can restore the system as we had at the time we created it.

To create a computer restore point, we write create restore point in the search box on the taskbar and run the Microsoft tool included in Windows 10. Next, select the drive and click on Create . We give you a description so that we can identify it without any problem in the event that we have to resort to this restoration point at some point and click on Create.

copia de seguridad

Now, if what we want is to have a restore point of our system on a daily basis, then we will have to automate the process. For this, it will be necessary to make a change in the system registry, therefore, before going it is recommended to create a backup of the Windows 10 registry. A little further down, you can find the steps to follow to create it. quick and easy way.

Once this is done, we can now open a Windows Run window and launch the regedit command. We navigate to the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Policies Microsoft Windows Defender, we right click on it and select the option New> Password.

Windows Defender

The new entry must be named Scan, and then, within this new key, we create a new 32-bit DWORD value that we are going to name DisableRestorePoint . By default, when creating a new value of this type, its value will be set to 0 , so there is no need to make any changes.

Finally, we restart the computer and from that moment on, Windows Defender will create a Windows restore point every time it performs a system scan for malware.

Creating an image

For those who wish, it is also possible to create an image of our system at a specific time and save it as a Windows 10 backup. In this way, we can use it if we need to restore it to our system due to any error or problem at the same level. hardware.

Starting with an ISO image, we can return to having our equipment as we had it at the exact moment in which we created the image, the same configuration, programs, etc.

In this sense, IMGBurn is one of the most used and easy to use applications. It supports a wide number of image formats and all editions of the Microsoft operating system. In addition, it allows burning multiple formats of audio files, etc. A software that is also free and that we can download from this same link to its official website.

Third-party applications to make backups

It is also possible to use third-party applications to create a backup of Windows 10. Among all, we must highlight tools such as EaseUS Todo Backup Free or Backup and Recovery Free . Two very popular tools and that, as the name suggests, we can get for free. Of course, it is important to know that to have access to all its functions we will have to go through the box.

In any case, with the free version we can choose to make a backup of our system without any problem. Without a doubt, an alternative to all the options that Microsoft’s own system offers us when it comes to creating backups.

They have a fairly simple interface and functionality, so anyone can easily create a backup of the entire system, even those with less knowledge about it. From the following links we can download EaseUS Todo Backup Free and Backup and Recovery Free from Paragon.

Back up the Windows 10 registry

As we have previously indicated, at the moment that we need to make any change in the system registry, it is convenient to make a backup copy of it. In this way, before any problem, we can restore the values that we had previously.

The installation of any application, a virus or malware or failure in the system can cause some failure in the Windows registry and that our system is damaged. Therefore, another highly recommended practice is to keep a backup copy of the Windows 10 registry in order to be able to use it for any such problem.

To do this, the first thing we have to do is open a Run system window, Win + R , type the command regedit and click OK. We will automatically see how the Windows registry window opens. To create a complete backup of the system registry, we must go to the File menu option and select the Export option.

copia de seguridad registro

It is important to make sure you have Team selected in the tree, as it is the root. If we prefer to only make a backup copy of the branch on which we are going to make a registry change, then we select it and again select the File> Export option. It is also possible to right click on it and choose the Export option.

Either way, the next thing to do is give a name to the .reg file to be created with the backup and choose where we want to save it.