How to Create System Backup in Windows Easily

System crashes can occur due to various reasons such as hardware damage, virus attacks, or system updates. However, reinstalling the operating system, along with all applications and configurations, can be a time-consuming and troublesome process. Fortunately, by implementing a proactive system backup strategy, you can mitigate these challenges. With a reliable system backup in place, you can easily restore your entire system and quickly resume normal operations.

AOMEI Backupper is an excellent solution that offers a user-friendly system backup feature for all Windows operating systems, including Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP, Vista, and server systems. This powerful tool focuses on creating an image of the C: drive and other system-related partitions, encompassing critical system and boot files, installed applications, and user profiles stored on system partitions.

Create System Image Backup in Windows 10 step by step

Prerequisites for system backup:  

• The bootable computer that you want to back up from. 
• A target drive (with enough free space) that you can save backup images to. A local path and Share/NAS devices are supported.
• Download and install AOMEI Backupper on the computer. The basic system backup is a free feature, you can download and use the freeware on the computer. 

But, if you want to back up the Windows server system, you need to purchase the Server or Tech Plus edition. Or, you can try the trial edition for 30 days.

Step 1: Initiate System Backup

Run AOMEI Backupper, click "Backup" in the left tab, and then select "System Backup". It will automatically detect and list system partitions as a source.

Step 2: Select Destination

By default, the largest drive on the PC will be selected as the destination.

Please click the destination box to select a destination path. 

Supported destinations include: local drives (internal/external), network-attached storage (NAS), and network share.

Tips: You can click the "Task Name" field to rename the backup.

Step 3: Additional Backup Settings

In addition to the aforementioned options, system backup offers additional features to further enhance functionality and convenience:

Schedule: Since systems and data are constantly changing, you can set up scheduled backups to automatically back up the system at specified intervals. You have the flexibility to choose from daily, weekly, or monthly backups. In the paid version, you can also utilize event triggers, including USB plug-in.

Backup Scheme: With backup schemes, you have the option to choose between incremental and differential backup methods. Incremental backup captures only the changes made since the last backup, while differential backup captures the changes since the last full backup. This flexibility allows you to efficiently manage backup storage. Additionally, the paid edition can automatically delete older backup images to free up disk space, ensuring optimal utilization.

Options: There are various settings to enhance functionality and customization. These options include:

• Automatically create a folder with the same name as the task in the target location: Ticked by default. So, it will create a folder with the task name under the target path to save backup image files. For example, if you create a backup task named System Backup, it will first create a "System Backup" folder under the target drive you selected and then save backup images.
• Encryption: Secure your backup by enabling encryption, which protects the backup from unauthorized access.
• Notification: Receive email notifications to stay informed about the status and completion of backup tasks, ensuring peace of mind and proactive monitoring.
• Command: Enable Pre-command or Post-command to run the specified program or script before or after backup.
• Compression: Choose the desired compression level to optimize storage space usage while maintaining backup integrity.
• Splitting Image: Split large backup files into smaller segments for easier storage and compatibility with Different Storage Devices.
• Operation Priority: Set an operation priority for the backup. The higher the priority issue, the faster the backup will be executed.
• Backup Method: Intelligent Sector Backup will only back up used file system sectors. Make an Exact Backup (Sector-by-Sector Backup) will back up all disks or partition sectors, whether used or not.
• Backup Service: Use Microsoft VSS or AOMEI Backup Service. VSS (Volume Shadow Copy Service) is a backup technique of Microsoft, which allows the computer to continue to be used while a backup is in progress.

Step 4: Start Backup

Click "Start Backup" to run the system backup task. 

Step 5: Monitor/Complete Backup

1. When the backup is running, you can view the backup process.

Tips: In the lower-left corner, you can set the computer to Shut down, Restart, Hibernate, or Sleep automatically after the backup is completed.

4. After the backup is completed, it generates an xxx.adi backup image file in the destination.  After completing the system backup, you can easily restore your system in the event of a system crash. For more details about restore steps, please access System Restore.

Important Notes

• Image Accessibility: Allows double-clicking the *.adi image files to directly view and copy backed-up files from Windows Explorer without restoring the whole backup image, or using the "Explore Image" feature to mount the image as virtual partitions.

• MBR disk backup: System Backup will back up the system reserved partition (“system” partition) and C: drive("boot" partition) of the MBR disk. For some environments, there is only C: drive as system partition, which includes “System” and “Boot” files.

• GPT disk backup: System Backup will back up the EFI partition, C: drive, and system recovery partition of the GPT disk.

• Running System Requirement: AOMEI Backupper can only detect and perform a system backup of the currently running operating system. If the system doesn’t run, it can’t do the system backup.

• Dynamic Volumes: AOMEI Backupper currently doesn’t support backup for GPT dynamic system volumes. 

Conclusion

By reading this guide, you will gain comprehensive knowledge about system backup and master the essential steps to perform system backup. Remember to consider factors such as backup frequency, storage capacity, and the retention period for your backups. Regularly test the restoration process to verify the integrity of your backups and make any necessary adjustments to your backup strategy.

If you have any questions or issues, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section or seek relevant technical support. We wish you success in completing your system backup and safeguarding your data!