[Free] How to Make a Full Backup of Windows 10/8/7

Overview of Windows 10/8/7 Full Backup

A system backup is a process of backing up the operating system, files, and system-specific useful/essential data. Backup is a process in which the state, files, and data of a computer system are duplicated to be used as a backup or data substitute when the primary system data is corrupted, deleted or lost.

As we all know, Windows 10's newest update is coming out. In order to avoid Windows 10 data loss, we need to make a full backup of  Windows 10. Backups help ensure that your system and files aren't permanently lost or damaged. Follow the two methods below to make a full backup of Windows 10/8/7.

Easy and Free - Use EaseUS Todo Backup to Make a Full Backup

EaseUS Todo Backup Free has more than enough features for personal use. The program can perform system, disk/partition, and file backups either manually or automatically through scheduled backups. You're able to make full, differential and incremental backups. If you want to control over your backups, start downloading the free Windows backup software and make a full backup.

Step 1. To backup only Windows 10 on your computer, please directly choose the option "OS" on the home screen.

Step 2. Now the new window pops up, where you can customize your own Windows 10 backup by choosing a backup location(HDD, USB hard disk, network drives, Cloud drives...), adding a plan name and text description to it. 

Since it's about backing up OS, it's significant to turn on the "Schedule", where you can enable an automatic Windows 10 backup at a set time like daily, monthly...or upon an event, telling the Windows 10 backup to start when system startup, system shutdown, user logon or user log off.

Step 3. Once all the basic settings were made, click "Proceed". Wait for a while you will create a full Windows 10 backup to protect your system from unexpected disasters.

Note: To backup Windows 10 to an external storage device, you must ensure that the storage device has been correctly connected to your computer in advance. Click the "Browse" button in the "Destination" area, you can choose the connected hard disks as a backup location. Also, the software supports many more paths to save your Windows 10 backup, including the cloud devices of OneDrive, GoogleDrive and DropBox, and Network/NAS devices.

Tip: It is pretty easy to recover the system image. Just open the software again and click the "Recovery" option of the image, and then you can restore the system. If you need a detailed instruction, please refer to system recovery

Create a System Image of Windows 10 With the Built-in Tool

In this Windows 10 guide, we will also walk you through the steps to create a full backup, including all your settings, apps, and files, using the built-in system image tool. However, the steps are a little bit difficult compared with using a free tool to back up the system. Read on to create a system backup of Windows 10 using the built-in system image tool.

1. Click on Start and click Control Panel then choose Backup and Restore (Windows 7) Window

2. On the left pane, click the Create a system image.

3. Select the location to save the Windows 10 user profile backup and click “Next” to continue. You'd better save the backup on an external storage device so that you can transfer it to other computers.

Once you completed these steps, the wizard will proceed to create a full backup of your system, including everything that is stored on the main drive, as well as the system reserved partition.

After the backup is done, you'll be prompted to create a system repair disc to access the recovery options if your computer is unable to boot.

Quick access: You can always create a repair disc by clicking the Create a system repair disc link within the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) settings page.

How to Restore the System Image Backup of Windows 10

Now that you have the backup of your Windows 10, and a system repair disc, you may also want to know the way to restore the system image of it, just read more to learn the steps:

1. Connect the external drive with the system image backup to your device.

2. Connect the disk that contains the system repair files (or USB bootable drive with the Windows 10 installation files) to your device.

3. Reboot your computer. Press F2 and choose boot from USB

4. On the "Windows Setup" page, click the Next button.

5. Click the Repair your computer link located at the bottom-left corner. Then Click the Troubleshoot option.

6. Click the System Image Recovery option.

7. Choose the target OS. (In this case, Windows 10.)

8. On the "Re-image your computer" page, select the Use the latest available system image option and click Next.

If you're restoring a full backup to a new drive, you can also select the Format and repartition disks option. (Use this option carefully, as it will erase any existing partitions and disks on your computer.) Then click Next.

9. Click Finish, and click Yes to confirm that the backup will replace the data on the drive.

The Conclusion to the Whole Page

Method 1 is an easy and free method to help you make a full backup of your system. If you want to back up system easily, using a free backup software is indeed easy and fast. Method 2 is a little bit difficult. If you have enough time and patience, the second method is a nice choice.