Home > Data Backup Questions > How Do I Backup Everything but My Operating System?

How Do I Backup Everything but My Operating System?

I plan to reinstall my Windows system but want to keep all other data except the system. Do you know how I can back up everything but the operating system?

Best Answered by

Larissa· Answered on Jan 21, 2026

It is not a difficult task if you want to back up everything but the OS. You must move all other data except the operating system to another drive and back them on another drive. This process covers three main steps:

Move all your data to another drive except for the operating system.
Backup all drives except the one that contains OS via backup software.
Restore all your data to your computer when your fresh install your OS.

A reliable backup program is the key to a successful backup. EaseUS Todo Backup is professional backup and recovery software that will ensure a smooth hard drive backup without any data loss. Download it and back up your data with ease. Besides, you must prepare an external hard drive to save the backup while reinstalling the operating system.

Free Download Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

Secure Download

Now, follow the specific steps below to back up everything but the OS:

Step 1. Open your Windows Explorer, locate and open C drive.

Step 2. Choose and copy all data other than the Program Files and Windows folders to another drive, like D or E.

Step 3. Launch EaseUS Todo Backup, and connect an external hard drive to your computer.

Step 4. Back up and save all disks to the external hard drive except the C drive.

Step 5. Have a fresh installation of your operating system.

Step 6. Launch EaseUS Todo Backup, and restore all backed data to your computer.

You have installed a new system and restored everything on your computer.EaseUS Todo Backup plays an essential role during the process, and you should never miss it.

Download EaseUS Todo Backup to Protect Computer Data!

Find best solutions to computer backup, cloud storage, data security, and disk cloning with full guidance.

30-Day Free Trial

People Also Ask

Is Using An External Hard Drive a Good Way to Back Up My Data?

Want to know if an external hard drive is a good way to back up data? Find your answer in this post from EaseUS.

Larissa

Jan 21, 2026

How to Create Ghost Image of Windows 10 Step-by-Step

It is essential for every computer user to back up their system regularly in order to protect data from being lost due to hardware or software failure. Creating a Windows 10 ghost image is a great way to back up your system and keep it secure. Follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to create a ghost image of Windows 10 with Backup and Restore and EaseUS Todo Backup.

Larissa

Jan 21, 2026

How Do I Backup a Computer to An External Hard Drive in Windows 7?

Do you want to know how to back up your Windows 7 to an external hard drive? This post is exactly what you want, and it will assist you in backing up Windows 7 easily and quickly with professional backup software.

Larissa

Jan 21, 2026

Does a Clean Install of Windows Wipe All Drives?

Does a clean install of Windows wipe all drives? Do you want to know the answer? Do you want to know the answer? This article will explain whether a clean installation of Windows will wipe all drives and offer a tool named EaseUS Todo Backup to protect your data on drives.

Jerry

Jun 17, 2026

Can We Reset the Windows 10 Without Losing Data from D and E Drives?

Can we reset the Windows 10 without losing data from D and E drives? Do you know the answer? You are coming to the right spot if you do not know. This article will tell you whether you can reset your Windows 10 without losing data from D and E drives.

Jerry

Jun 17, 2026

Should I Install Steam Game on External Hard Drive?

Don't know if you can put and install the Steam game data on an external hard drive? Read this post, and you'll get your answer here.

Larissa

Jan 21, 2026

Browse All Questions