Creating a backup

[Italplayer11]

So, recently i've decided that for windows 10 I want to create a clean install. I have an external 1TB hdd to backup all my data, but I need this data to be accessible. Im not really sure on the best way to do this without creating a system image. From what I understand a system image creates a VDH file, allow it to only restore all the data, what I want to be able to do is go through all my files and grab the ones I need from the external hdd once I fresh install, if anyone can suggest a way to do this I would be grateful. 

 

Just as a note, Im only backing up around 500GB of data, and I don't mind waiting for all the files to be copied / moved. 

[Benjio]

Are you just talking about files like photos and videos that you just copy and paste back over? Can you not just copy and paste using file explorer to the external hard drive? 

 

By the way, go Binding of Isaac! 

[Italplayer11]

Are you just talking about files like photos and videos that you just copy and paste back over? Can you not just copy and paste using file explorer to the external hard drive? 

 

By the way, go Binding of Isaac! 

I am thinking about that, but it's more of I need my whole steam file that's around 200 GB and some eclipse folders, as well as a bunch of other files I have backed, Im looking to just backup the whole HDD. 

[Benjio]

I am thinking about that, but it's more of I need my whole steam file that's around 200 GB and some eclipse folders, as well as a bunch of other files I have backed, Im looking to just backup the whole HDD. 

I still feel like the easiest way to do it would be just copy and pasting. Whenever I used to backup a hard drive I would use Norton Ghost, I don't know if programs like that work with external drives though.