To back up your files to an external drive in Windows 11, plug in the drive, open Control Panel, and go to System and Security > File History. Select Turn on. Windows then copies your Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos and other library folders to the drive every hour.
To copy the whole PC, including Windows and your apps, make a system image instead. Both are built in, and both are below.
Applies to: Windows 11. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 28, 2026.
Which backup do you need?
- File History saves your personal files and keeps older versions of them. It’s best for everyday backups.
- A system image copies everything on drive C. It’s best as a full copy before a big change or repair.
- Windows Backup saves your folders and settings to OneDrive, not to an external drive.
Back up your files with File History
- Connect your external hard drive.
- Select Start, type
control panel, and open Control Panel. - Select System and Security > File History.
- If your drive isn’t shown, select Select drive on the left and choose it.
- Select Turn on.
The first backup starts right away. To change how often it runs or how long older copies are kept, select Advanced settings. To skip a folder, select Exclude folders.
Keep the drive plugged in, or plug it in regularly, so your backups stay up to date.
Back up the whole PC with a system image
- Connect an external drive with at least as much free space as the used space on drive C. If the drive doesn’t show up, see how to access an external hard drive on Windows 11.
- Open Control Panel and select System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7). The name is old, but it works in Windows 11.
- On the left, select Create a system image.
- Choose your external drive and select Next.
- Select Start backup.
It can take an hour or more. Windows may offer to make a system repair disc at the end. You can skip it.
Back up from the command line with wbAdmin
If you prefer typing a command, or want to run the same backup again later, Windows 11 includes wbAdmin. It makes the same kind of full system image as Control Panel.
- Select Start, type cmd, and choose Run as administrator.
- Type this command, replacing E: with your external drive letter:
wbadmin start backup -backupTarget:E: -include:C: -allCritical -quiet - Press Enter and wait. The window shows progress as a percentage.
-allCritical adds the hidden partitions Windows needs to start, and -quiet skips the confirmation prompt. To see the backups on a drive, run wbadmin get versions -backupTarget:E:.
Get your files back
- One file or folder: in File History, select Restore personal files, find the file, and select the green Restore button.
- An older version: right-click the folder that held the file, select Properties, and open the Previous Versions tab.
- The whole PC: a system image replaces everything on drive C when you restore it, so use it only when you need to.
If Windows is having problems but your files are fine, you may only need how to restore Windows 11 to a previous date. Make a backup before you reset Windows 11.
Restore a system image
Restoring an image puts drive C back exactly as it was when you made the backup. Anything saved after that date is lost, so copy newer files somewhere else first if you can.
- Plug in the external drive that holds the image.
- Open Settings > System > Recovery, and next to Advanced startup select Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > See more recovery options > System Image Recovery.
- Choose Use the latest available system image, or pick an older one, and select Next.
- Select Finish, then Yes to start the restore.
If Windows won’t start at all, it usually opens these recovery options by itself after two or three failed starts. You can also boot from a Windows 11 installation USB and select Repair your computer.
If the backup fails
- “Your File History drive was disconnected.” Plug the drive back in. If you use it on other PCs, it may have a new drive letter. Open File History in Control Panel, select Select drive, and choose it again.
- “There is not enough disk space.” A system image needs about as much space as the used space on C:. Use a bigger drive, or delete older backups in the WindowsImageBackup folder on the external drive.
- The system image fails with an error code such as 0x807800C5. This often means an old image is in the way. Rename the WindowsImageBackup folder on the external drive and try again.
- The drive isn’t offered as a location. System images need a drive formatted as NTFS. Drives formatted as exFAT or FAT32, which many new USB drives are, won’t appear. Reformatting erases the drive, so move its files off first.
Microsoft no longer develops the system image tool, though it still works in Windows 11. For a full-PC backup you can rely on long term, check the free tools that some drive makers include with their external drives.
Keep your backups safe
- Follow the 3-2-1 rule. Keep three copies of important files, on two kinds of storage, with one copy somewhere else. An external drive plus OneDrive covers this for most people.
- Unplug the drive when you’re not backing up. A drive that is always connected can be hit by the same ransomware, power surge, or accident as the PC.
- Test a restore. Every few months, restore one file from File History to make sure the backup actually works.
- Encrypt the drive. On Windows 11 Pro, right-click the drive in File Explorer and turn on BitLocker so a lost drive doesn’t expose your files.
- Back up other folders. File History only saves folders in your user profile. To include another folder, add it to a library, or move it into Documents.
Frequently asked questions
How big a drive do I need?
For File History, about twice the size of the files you’re saving leaves room for older versions. For a system image, at least the used space on drive C.
Can I use a USB flash drive?
Yes, for File History. A flash drive is usually too small for a system image.
Does Windows 11 back up on its own?
Not to an external drive. You need to turn on File History first.
How often does File History save files?
Every hour by default. In Advanced settings you can change it to anywhere from every 10 minutes to once a day, and choose how long to keep old versions.
Can I keep using the PC while it backs up?
Yes. Both File History and a system image run in the background, though the PC may feel slower during a full image.
When the backup is done, see how to safely eject an external hard drive or USB in Windows 11 before you unplug it.
To back up your files to OneDrive or with File History, see how to back up files in Windows 11.
Microsoft’s reference is Backup and restore with File History. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: how to create a restore point in Windows 11.
Related: how to clone a hard drive in Windows 11.
Related: how to use a WD easystore drive on Windows 11.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.