Updated 2025-02-13.

Windows 11 has a confusing mess of options for how to back-up your computer, with the most useful and powerful ones being hidden in the older Windows 7 Control Panel locations. This article should present all of the options and more or less de-complicate finding them and knowing when to use them.

List is ordered by abstraction level. Highest level (least comprehensive, and least destructive) at the top. Lowest level (most comprehensive, most destructive) at the bottom.

For personal files (excludes system)

• Windows Backup – cooperates with OneDrive to backup personal files and settings to cloud. Start > Windows Backup. Also accessible via Settings > Accounts > Windows Backup
• File History – Backs up personal files, settings to local backup disk. Doesn’t include AppData folder. Accessible via Start > File History. Also accessible via Settings > Accounts > Windows Backup > File History link

For system files

Set these up in case of failure

• System Restore – Recover recent changes from the records the system always keeps from recent updates. Accessible via Start > Search “Restore” > Click “Recovery” > “Open System Restore” link. Also accessible via Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Recovery
• Windows System Image Backup, also called “Backup and Restore (Windows 7)” – This is the best for chronicling local changes and creating restore points. Accessible via Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7). Also accessible via Start > File History > System Image Backup link.

Use these methods to attempt to correct errors in the system, do a shallow reinstall, or wipe and reinstall

Accessible via Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Recovery

• Reinstall now (Fix problems using Windows Update) – apps, files, and settings will be preserved.
• Recovery options:
  • Reset this PC – keep/remove personal files and reinstall Windows
• Related Support section:
  • “Revert to previous Windows version easily” link
  • “Creating a recovery Drive” link

• Recovery Drive – derived from current install. Similar to Windows install disk. Includes cmd debugging. Does not include Safe Mode loader. Accessible via Start > Recovery Drive. Also accessible via Settings > System > Recovery > Creating a recovery drive link. Burn to USB or disk. You can also attempt to recover a bricked install for which you have created a Backup using the System Image Backup preventative measure mentioned previously.
  • Warning! This tool will overwrite the entire flash drive or disk you point it to, not just the partition on that drive.
• Official Windows Install Image, multi-install. Includes cmd debugging. Does not include Safe Mode loader. Burn to USB or disk. You can also attempt to recover a bricked install for which you have created a Backup using the System Image Backup preventative measure mentioned previously.