Backing up your computer is essential to protect your data from loss or corruption. A trustworthy backup solution like Acronis True Image can enhance this process with robust disk imaging features.
To back up your system to an external hard drive, first ensure that the drive has enough storage—preferably equal to or greater than your internal drive's total capacity.
Follow these steps:
1. Connect the external hard drive via USB and confirm that your computer recognises it.
2. Access the backup settings:
For Windows 11: Go to Start > File History.
For Windows 10: Navigate to Backup settings.
3. For a complete backup, you can use the Control Panel's Backup and Restore feature to create a system image.
To enhance your data security, regularly update your backups and consider enabling the "Automatically back up my files" option.
Dr IT Services - Computer Repair, Laptop Repair & Data Recovery
I contacted Vlad after my son fried my laptop by using his powerful charger in my less powerful laptop. I was very anxious.He was very responsive when I made initial contact and I was above to drop my laptop off that morning.The service was supremely… More professional and very quick. I even brought my son's laptop (which was broken and that is why he was using mine) to be fixed too.I was given clear prices and expectations for how long the repairs would take. Both repairs were completed very quicker and exceeded expectations.I would highly recommend Vlad.
Highly recommend.I contacted Vlad as my laptop wasn’t working. (Would not power up). I dropped it off to him in the morning. Then later that day he was able to diagnose the fault and put forward a plan to resolve.Unfortunately it was not economical to… More repair, but he was able to source the perfect replacement for my budget. Which I couldn't be more happy with. For a small fee he was able to transfer all my data over to the new device.All turned around in a few days.The service was fast, friendly and had great communication. I would highly recommend to anybody who needs their devices repairing.Thanks Vlad.
Exceptional service!!We thought we had lost over 20 years of memories but Vlad at Dr IT Services managed to recover pretty much everything. There is no price to put on memories so to have recovered the data lost was beyond words for us.The team at Dr… More IT Services excelled in their computer repair, laptop repair, and data recovery services, offering prompt and friendly assistance that was both knowledgeable and reliable, making the entire experience seamless. Their efficient and helpful staff made the whole process stress-free, leaving me completely satisfied with their overall service. Would definitely recommend!
I bought an expensive gaming laptop which was shutting down whilst gaming, and I suspected it might be because the operating temperatures were too high.I reached out to Vlad one morning and he offered to take a look at the laptop and repair it the same… More day. He was very polite and knowledgeable about the laptop I'd bought and about the CPU and GPU therein, and was aware that they were prone to overheating. He knew immediately what to do to fix it, so I left my laptop with him and shortly thereafter Vlad let me know that he had finished and the laptop was ready to collect. He was so efficient I could barely believe it! He took pictures throughout the process of the internals (before and after his repair) and showed me them on arrival.I took the laptop home and sure enough the operating temps are ~15c less and the laptop now works perfectly. Thank you Vlad! And all for a very reasonable price. Please do not hesitate if you are thinking about using Vlad! If I need anything IT related from now on, Vlad will be my first point of call!
Vlad was really great. He was highly professional and very helpful in sorting out my problem which required a new motherboard. He did an excellent job fitting the new motherboard at a very good price.He even helped me return the defective motherboard… More that was sent in error as I was outside the country, which reflects his helpful nature.I have used his services more than once, and he helped me repair 3 different laptops. I don't go to anyone before asking him first for help.I highly recommend that you talk to him if you have any issues with a PC before going to someone else.
Vlad is excellent to use. I was looking for a computer repair in the area and came across him. Contact very easy and dropped the laptop down straight away. My son had broken his screen. Good communication with Vlad and efficient repair. Kept me updated… More throughout the process. Reasonably priced. Overall, i wouod recommend Vlad if you need any repairs doing, i will be using him again if i need to
Vlad was incredible! So generous with his time, explained everything so well and was great communicating. Cannot recommend him highly enough.Don't look around for someone else, if you've got a problem this is the guy you need to see!
Exceptional Service!!!I had some issues with my PC last week, with my SSD, and I thought I have lost my university assessments because my PC did not open anymore. Another issue was that I did not know anyone in my area that could fix my PC but I am glad… More that I have found and meet Vlad. He manage to fix my PC in one day just in time to be able to send my assessment to the university in time and the problem was solved. Vlad is a really great person and i would recommend him to anyone from now on if they have issues with their devices.
Thank you so much to Vlad and his knowledgable contacts! My hard drive had corrupted and I thought I had lost thousands of family photos - you can imagine how devastating that feels. Although Vlad could not recover them all, he was able to facilitate… More a company to do it on his behalf. It felt like Christmas to be reunited with them after months of uncertainty. I have no hesitation in recommending Dr IT.
Dr IT Services: Exceptional ServiceI recently entrusted Dr IT Services with the repair of my water-damaged laptop, which required a motherboard replacement. I am delighted to commend their exceptional service.Dr IT Services exhibited professionalism and… More expertise throughout the repair process. He provided clear and concise explanations of the necessary work, alleviating my concerns. To my great relief, the repair was completed efficiently, and my laptop was restored to full working order.I would wholeheartedly recommend Dr IT Services to anyone in need of computer repair services. Their technical competence and commitment to customer satisfaction are truly commendable.Very satisfied customer
Creating a partial backup is an effective method for protecting important files while minimising the time and space required compared to a full system backup.
This approach not only ensures that your essential data is securely stored but also adheres to the 3-2-1 backup rule, which promotes data redundancy.
To begin the process, connect your external hard drive to your computer and navigate to the backup settings via File History in Windows 11 or Backup settings in Windows 10.
Click "Add a drive" to select your external storage.
Enable "Automatically back up my files" to use the default file list for backup.
For customisation, choose "More options" to add or exclude specific folders and files.
Conducting regular partial backups not only simplifies the backup process but also ensures that crucial data is efficiently preserved.
Make sure your external hard drive has sufficient storage for the files you wish to back up.
How to Perform a Full System Backup
To ensure the safety of your entire system, performing a full system backup is essential for safeguarding all your data, settings, and applications in a single comprehensive image.
Understanding the risks linked to hard drive failures and their impact on your data is crucial, as several factors can affect recovery success.
Here's how to perform a full system backup:
Access Control Panel: Start by navigating to the Control Panel on your computer.
Select Backup and Restore (Windows 7): Click on the Backup and Restore option.
Create a System Image: Choose the option to create a system image, ensuring your external hard drive has at least 200 GB of free space.
Clear Cache and Log Files: Before starting the backup, clear any cache and log files to optimise space usage and improve efficiency.
Monitor Backup Progress: As the backup progresses, keep an eye on its status. The duration will vary depending on the volume of data being backed up.
Secure Storage: Once the backup is complete, securely store your external hard drive in a safe location to reduce the risk of data loss and facilitate future recovery efforts.
Types of Backup Options
Understanding the different backup options available is essential for enhancing your data protection strategy beyond just performing a full system backup.
Implementing effective backup strategies can significantly reduce the risks associated with data loss, thereby strengthening your organisation's resilience and compliance.
Two primary types of backups are pivotal for any comprehensive data management plan:
Partial Backups: These focus on important files and folders, allowing you to customise your backup to prioritise critical data while saving on storage space.
Full Backups: This type creates a complete clone of your system, including the operating system and settings. However, they usually require substantial storage, often exceeding 200 GB.
Combination Approach: By utilising both types, you enhance data redundancy and protection against various risks of data loss.
External hard drives are excellent for both types of backups, offering capacities ranging from 10GB to 16TB, effectively catering to diverse backup needs.
Best Practices for Backing Up
To ensure the safety and accessibility of your data, following best practices for backing up is essential. Here are key steps to enhance your data security:
Regular Updates: Update your backups at least once a week to ensure your most recent files are saved.
3-2-1 Backup Strategy: Implement a 3-2-1 backup strategy for improved redundancy and security. This means having three total copies of your data, two of which are local but on different devices, and one copy stored off-site.
Backup Types: Use a mix of full and incremental backups. Conduct full backups once a month and partial backups weekly to optimise storage and data protection.
Verify Integrity: Periodically check the integrity of your backups by accessing and restoring files from your external hard drive.
Automate Backups: Consider using backup software that automates the process, minimising the risk of human error.
Label and Log: Clearly label your external hard drives and keep a log of backup dates and contents to effectively track your backup history.
Hi, I'm Vlad Tabaranu. I'm your local computer and laptop repair specialist in Birmingham, and I've been providing top-notch IT services for over two decades!
Since April 2000, I've been dedicated to solving all kinds of computer problems, consistently ranking among the top 3 computer repair services in Birmingham. My commitment to excellence has been recognized with prestigious awards, including:
1. Is your PC/laptop noisy or overheating? Get it internally cleaned and have the thermal paste replaced!
2. Is your PC/laptop slow? Replace your current storage device with an SSD or nVme!
3. ALWAYS keep your important data on cloud! I recommend MEGA.nz for 2 reasons: I) it's end-to-end encrypted & II) it's cheaper per TB of data than Dropbox and GoogleDrive
4. SECURITY Surf the web without tracking with a VPN Surfshark
5. SECURITY Realtime keystroke encryption protects your typed info from keystroke capturing malware in all browsers and major apps. KeyScrambler
I contacted Vlad after my son fried my laptop by using his powerful charger in my less powerful laptop. I was very anxious.He was very responsive when I made initial contact and I was above to drop my laptop off that morning.The service was supremely … More professional and very quick. I even brought my son's laptop (which was broken and that is why he was using mine) to be fixed too.I was given clear prices and expectations for how long the repairs would take. Both repairs were completed very quicker and exceeded expectations.I would highly recommend Vlad.
