Choose a backup solution in Windows
Applies To
Windows 11 Windows 10Support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025
After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11.
Protect your files and photos by making sure they're safely backed up. Use the following table to decide which backup solution is best for you.
Backup solution |
Things to consider |
Cloud-based backup |
Want to back up your content so it's safe and easy to access? We recommend using a cloud-based backup solution. With cloud-based backups:
You'll need:
Learn more about the built-in cloud-storage solution that comes with your device and how to back up and restore your Windows PC. |
External hard drive or network drive backups |
It may be best to use an external storage device or network drive backup in these cases:
You'll need:
|
Legacy backups |
We recommend you consider modern backup options like the ones listed above, as they're easier to manage and non-destructive.a cloud-based backup. If you've used Backup and Restore in Windows 7, consider moving your content to |