Simple and easy way to do full Windows drive backup?

[Morata]

I have plenty of external hard drives, but I am looking for a super simple way to do an entire Windows backup and I also wanted to know if it was possible to load that backup and it would just... work?

[Tabs]

The simplest way is using a utility that allows building a WinPE image you can restore the image from later. You can make a full image backup within Windows, but it's a bit trickier to re-apply. Something like Macrium Reflect Free Edition, but there are others.

 

If you want to make a backup from within Windows, you can use the "Back up and Restore (Windows 7)" applet in the old control panel, but as you can tell from the name, this is a depreciated tool. However, it does still work and I think they have no plans to remove it completely any time soon. Still, something to be aware of.

 

It's pretty self explanatory once run, just click "Set up backup" on the control panel and it'll walk you through it.

[Sfekke]

3 minutes ago, Tabs said:

The simplest way is using a utility that allows building a WinPE image you can restore the image from later. You can make a full image backup within Windows, but it's a bit trickier to re-apply. Something like Macrium Reflect Free Edition, but there are others.

 

If you want to make a backup from within Windows, you can use the "Back up and Restore (Windows 7)" applet in the old control panel, but as you can tell from the name, this is a depreciated tool. However, it does still work and I think they have no plans to remove it completely any time soon. Still, something to be aware of.

 

It's pretty self explanatory once run, just click "Set up backup" on the control panel and it'll walk you through it.

I personally use Paragon Backup & Restore since it allows for use within Windows.

But when I backed up my Linux machines Acronis True Image did the trick for me.

[Tabs]

2 minutes ago, Sfekke said:

I personally use Paragon Backup & Restore since it allows for use within Windows.

But when I backed up my Linux machines Acronis True Image did the trick for me.

Yeah, I always recommend Macrium Reflect since I have had great experiences with its free version, but there are lots of good alternatives. 

[Sfekke]

3 minutes ago, Tabs said:

Yeah, I always recommend Macrium Reflect since I have had great experiences with its free version, but there are lots of good alternatives. 

Oh Tabs you have no clue how thankful I am to .. finally find Macrium Reflect again!

I've been looking for it for ages, I'll revise my old post and say:

@Tabs he's recommendation of Macrium Reflect is a good one.

Jeez on to remaking my backups ..

I seriously forgot the name after trying it and never stumbled on it again, so yea

[Amazonsucks]

On 7/13/2018 at 1:58 PM, Morata said:

I have plenty of external hard drives, but I am looking for a super simple way to do an entire Windows backup and I also wanted to know if it was possible to load that backup and it would just... work?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17127/windows-back-up-restore

 

Do a system image backup to an external drive. Windows has the ability to with no third party software.