Backing up and recovering data on a Windows PC is essential to protect your important files from unexpected data loss due to hardware failure, malware, or accidental deletion. This guide will walk you through the steps of creating backups and recovering lost data using both built-in Windows tools and third-party utilities like Glary Utilities.
Step 1: Assess Your Backup Needs
Before you begin, determine which files and folders are crucial to back up. Consider photos, documents, music, and any other files that are irreplaceable or would be difficult to recreate.
Step 2: Choose a Backup Method
There are several methods to back up your data on Windows:
1. File History: This built-in tool allows you to back up copies of your files to an external drive. It is ideal for regularly saving versions of files from specific folders like Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, and Desktop.
2. Windows Backup and Restore: This feature enables you to create a full system image, allowing you to restore your system to the exact state it was in when the backup was made.
3. Third-Party Software (Glary Utilities): Glary Utilities offers a File Backup feature that allows you to schedule automatic backups of important files and folders. This powerful tool supports a wide range of file types and backup locations, including external drives, network locations, and cloud storage.
Step 3: Set Up File History
1. Connect an external drive to your PC.
2. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I and navigate to “Update & Security” > “Backup”.
3. Click “Add a drive” and select your external drive.
4. Toggle on “Automatically back up my files” and click “More options” to configure backup frequency and folders to include.
Step 4: Create a System Image with Windows Backup and Restore
1. Connect an external drive with sufficient space for the system image.
2. Open the Control Panel and navigate to “System and Security” > “Backup and Restore (Windows 7)”.
3. Click “Create a system image” on the left sidebar.
4. Select the destination drive and proceed with the on-screen instructions to create the system image.
Step 5: Schedule Backups with Glary Utilities
1. Download and install Glary Utilities from the official website.
2. Open Glary Utilities and navigate to “Modules” > “Privacy & Security” > “File Backup”.
3. Click “Add” to select files and folders you want to back up.
4. Choose the backup location and set a schedule for regular backups.
5. Click “OK” to save your settings.
Step 6: Recover Lost Data
To recover lost data, you can use Windows File History or the “Backup and Restore” options if you have previously set up backups. For more advanced recovery, Glary Utilities provides tools like “File Undelete”.
Recovering Data with Glary Utilities
1. Open Glary Utilities and go to “Modules” > “Privacy & Security” > “File Undelete”.
2. Select the drive where the files were lost and click “Search”.
3. Browse the list of recoverable files and select the ones you wish to restore.
4. Click “Restore” and choose a location to save the recovered files.
Conclusion
Regular backups are crucial for protecting your valuable data against potential loss. By using Windows built-in tools or comprehensive solutions like Glary Utilities, you can automate this process and have peace of mind knowing your files are safe. Remember to periodically check your backup settings and test restore procedures to ensure everything works smoothly when you need it most.