How to backup a hard drive and restore it? Step-by-Step Guide (2024)

An old saying in IT goes like this: "You never realize how important backups are until you need one and don't have it." Unfortunately, this is true even today. While consumers are more tech-savvy than ever, many computer users still neglect to create copies of their hard drives to protect their data from potentially permanent loss.

In this article we will cover:

• Backup Basics
• What a Backup Is
• What a Backup Is Not
• Why Backups Are Essential
• Available Backup Options
• How to Back Up Your Computer Hard Drive
• Restoring Data from a Backup
• Summing Up

Backuphard disk basics

Backups have a reputation for beingcumbersome to create, maintain and manage, sometimes resulting in usersneglecting to perform them. While backups can be tedious without the righttools, modern hard disk backup software and methods make the process mucheasier and faster. This article will discusshow to back up a computerand perform ahard disk recoveryif your data is ever lost.

Whatis hard disk backup?

While the definition of a backup issimple enough, this is where the simplicity ends for many consumers. A backupis essentially just a copy of the data stored on your hard drive, and it'srelatively easy to create one using various methods. Therefore, it's essentialto understand what a backup is, what one does, and – perhaps just as important– what a backup is not. Backup data from a computer hard disk can generally besaved to any one of several mediums, including:

• Other external drives (local drives or ones on a network - external SSD, portable hard drive)
• External storage devices (USB flash drives or USB hard drives)
• Online or cloud storage accounts
• Another hard drive partition (a disk partition is a separate and distinct section on the same hard drive)

Backup data – a repetitive process

As mentioned above, a backup is acopy of data created from a computer or device. Nonetheless, a backup is just acopy of data at a particular point in time. A backup must be repeated orrecreated to preserve or record any changes to the data since the last copy wasmade. While many backups are automated processes that create copies of existingdata on your hard disk, even automation requires effective scheduling to keepsaved or backed-up data current. If a manual or scheduled backup is not run,new or changed files are not saved or archived to external storage.

What a backup is not?

There are many ways to approach harddisk backup. For instance, you can copy data from one drive to another, whichwould be considered a backup for all intents and purposes. Likewise, you canstore a copy of your data online or in the cloud, which is also a type ofbackup. Finally, if you save important files to aUSB driveor an external hard drive, that would also be a backup,although the backup process for USB drives grants limited results.

About cloud storage

As we see, there are many ways toapproach hard disk backup. Still, some methods or processes considered to bebackups actually are not. For instance, if you use an application from acloud storage solution, such as Google Drive or Dropbox,to synchronize files in a specific folder with your cloud account, that wouldnot be considered a true backup. Now, it is easy to think of synchronized filessaved in an online storage account as "acloud backup"– after all, it stores data off-site and on anexternal server. Nevertheless, there is only one version of the files. As soonas you update a file in the synchronized folder, the file on the cloud storagesite changes as well.

Syncing files deletes previous versions

Because synchronization updatesfiles both on your hard disk and on the cloud, you may or may not have accessto a previous file version. Some cloud storage solutions do retain a fewprevious data versions after synchronization, but many do not. This is asignificantly different approach from that of a true backup. File versions intrue hard disk backup do not change whenever you create a new backup – unlessyou overwrite and delete the previous backup with the new one. Hence, keepingseveral data copies simultaneously helps you revert to previous file versionsif needed.

Why hard drive backup is essential?

It's common knowledge that hard diskbackup is important for protecting valuable data and files stored on themachine. Yet, countless people still fail to realize just how important it isto keep good backups and why. Thus, it's important to understand why backupsare crucial.

Losteffort, time, and money

If time is money, then all the timespent creating data files on your PC is a tremendous waste of money if you everlose them – not to mention the wasted effort and lost productivity. When youlose important documents and media, expenditures in terms of time and effortliterally double because of the need to create the lost data from scratch.Unless you have a backup disk available for recovery. Here, a simple backuptask can save you tremendous time, effort, and, ultimately, money.

Harddrive recovery is expensive

Nothing lasts forever; the sameapplies to computer hardware, especially hard drives.

In many computers, the hard disk isthe only mechanical device in the entire system (traditional hard drives havemotors and platters). And just like any other mechanical device, a hard diskwill fail eventually. Even if you've never experienced ahard disk crash,chances are you know someone who has.

If your hard drive fails, there is achance that you can recover your data. Depending on the type of drive problem(such as a drive failure or deleted partitions), you may be able to usehard drive recovery tools and softwareor enlist a data recovery service. It'simportant to note that good hard disk recovery software is not cheap, and arecovery service can cost you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Areliable hard disk backup could save you considerably if your drive does fail.

Backuphard drive to an external drive

To avoid a costly hard driverecovery, you can back data to an external hard drive. Even if that sounds likea simple backup task, there are some guidelines to follow and ensure a healthybackup scheme.

Windows users can have two nativeWindows operating system options to perform a partial or a full backup.

1. Partialhard drive backup for Windows

1. Connect your preferred external drive to the PC. (here, you can use an HDD or rely on solid state drives (SSD); the latter offer fast performance and higher write speeds, but their high capacity comes at a higher price)
2. Open the "Start" menu

For Windows 11 - type "FileHistory" and select the option

For Windows 10 - type "backup"and choose "Backup settings"

1. Select "Add a drive" to select the external disk you wish to use for the backup task
2. In the "Select a drive" pop-up, you'll see all connected external drives to your PC; select the drive you wish to use for the backup
3. You will see the "Automatically back up my files" option enabled

The option will use a default fileand folder list most commonly backed-up by users. To add or remove options fromit, select "More options".

Review the folders under "Backup these folders". If any are missing, choose "Add a folder" andbrowse to select them.

Once done with the configuration,Windows File History will create a regular backup as long as the backup disk isconnected to the PC.

2. Fullsystem backup for Windows

If you want to create afull backuprather than a partial disk image, you'd go for a "systemimage". This backup scheme will comprise your entire Windows system -files, folders, operating system settings, and more.

1. Type "control panel" in the Search bar and select the "Control Panel" app
2. Choose "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)"
3. Select "Create a system image" from the left menu pane
4. You'll see a "Create a system image" pop-up window -> select your preferred external drive from the "On a hard disk" drop-down list
5. In the following window, you'll see a list of system partitions ready for backup as part of the system backup on the external drive; select "Start backup" to start the process
6. Depending on your Windows system size, the entire backup may take a while to complete. Once it's complete, you can safely disconnect the external drive and store it in a secure location

Externalhard drive backup for Mac users

Mac users can use Time Machine, thenative Mac feature, to automatically back up personal data and media.

1. Connect an external backup device to your Mac. (HDD, SSD, USB-C)

If you want to use a USB type A, butyour Mac doesn't have such a port, you'd need a USB type C connector.

1. Open "Time Machine" from the "Time Machine" menu
2. In the "Time Machine" settings, select the external storage device and the backup destination

On macOS Ventura (or later): clickthe (+) button -> follow the onscreen instructions

On earlier macOS versions: click "SelectBackup Disk" -> follow the onscreen instructions

1. If the storage media stores previous backup(s) from another Mac, you'd need to either delete them or claim them as part of your current Mac backup; You can also choose to start a new backup
2. To do so manually, select "Back Up Now" from the "Time Machine" menu

You can also wait for theautomatic backupto kick in. This will be every hour for the last 24 hours, with dailybackups for the past month and weekly copies for previous months. Once thestorage space is full, Time Machine will delete the oldest data copies.

Somedata is just irreplaceable

Although annoying andtime-consuming, recreating many types of data is possible. Still, there arespecific files you may never be able to replace if you don'tback up the computer. Consider all the photos, videos,important emails, and other personal files you have that would be impossible toreplace. With some file types, a lack of a hard disk backup is just anexpensive inconvenience. With some files, though, data loss is much morepersonal and painful – and permanent.

Whatshould you backup

By now, you should be convinced ofhow important it is to create a hard disk backup. (at least once in a while)

However, you may wonder what fileson your computer hard drive you need to back up. In a perfect world, you wouldback up everything on your PC whenever you create a new file or change yourdata. In most cases, though, this is neither practical nor necessary.

Completesystem backups

Depending on the size of the harddrive in your computer and the amount of data you have, a complete systembackup can take a long time. And if you're backing up to anonline backup service, it could take even longer –especially if you don't have a fast internet connection. While complete systembackups can be time-consuming, you should still perform them occasionally.Whether you have aWindows PC or laptop, or aMac computer or MacBook, it's a good idea to create acomplete system backup as soon as you buy the machine. Creating a backup on anew computer (or operating system installation) enables you to quickly recoveryour hard drive to factory default settings by restoring the machine with thebackup. Even if you can't back up a new machine, you should create at least onefull backup as soon as possible.

Essentialfiles and folders backup

In some cases, creating completesystem backups of your computer's hard disk may not be practical or evenfeasible. If you have limited space for your backups, or need to store datacopies online with a slow internet connection, creating complete system backupsmay not be convenient or possible. When full-system is not an option, regularlycreating an incremental backup of important files and folders is wise. If youget in the habit of saving important data files in a few select folders,creating quick backups of your essential data should be relatively quick andpainless. When determining which files to back up, select crucial documents,photos, or any other files that would be difficult or impossible to reproduceor replace.

Availablebackup options

When creating a hard disk backup, aquick Google search will reveal that you have countless options andpossibilities for applications, platforms, and storage media. However, not allbackups are created equal, and some are definitely easier to work with thanothers. To help you understand some of the options you have, let's cover a fewof the most popular hard drive backup methods.

LocalSSD/Hard drivebackup

One of the easiest and quickest waysto protect your data is to back it up to another hard disk. If you havemultiple drives in or attached to your system, you can back up data to asecondary drive, a USB flash, or external drives or even to a drive in a PCconnected to the same network. Depending on the type of local drive you use,the steps used to back up the device may vary. But local hard disk backupusually requires little more than moving files from your primary drive to abackup hard drive or a recovery partition.

Prosand cons of local backups

Creating a local hard disk backup isvery convenient because you always have backup data nearby and can restore itanytime, quickly and easily. A problem with local backups is that backup datacan be lost if a disaster, theft, or other event renders the local backup driveinaccessible.

Cloud hard drive backup

If you have a relatively fastbroadband internet connection, hard disk backup to the cloud can be anexcellent option – especially if local disk drive space for backups is limited.Better online hard disk backup solutions (like Acronis Cyber Protect HomeOffice) provide a simple way of creating full or partial backups of yourcomputer hard drive and then transferring them to the cloud for storage onencrypted, secure servers.

Advantagesand Disadvantages of off-site and cloud backups

Backing up your local hard disk toan off-site or cloud location offers one obvious and significant advantage. Ifyou lose access to the primary system hard drive due to hacking, theft, fire,or another type of disaster, you can always download backups from the cloud oroff-site server to recover your data or reinstall onto new hardware.Conversely, the downside of off-site and cloud backups is that you must placeyour drive backup in the hands of others. With the best online backup services,this should not be an issue, as they protect your data with hardened securityand encryption. However, as with anything else, security protocols used byonline backup services are not all created equal – and some service providersensure better data protection than others.

SSD& hard drive cloning

Although not used as commonly asexternal hard drives or cloud backups,disk cloningis another effective methodof ensuring you always have access to the data on your hard drive. Aclone hard driveis essentially a second drivethat contains an exact mirror disk image of the original (or source) drive.Years ago, disk image cloning was only possible using expensive hard driveduplicators. However, in recent years, leadingbackup softwarecompanies likeAcronis have developed desktop cloning software that makes creating exactduplicates of the system drive (or other local drives) as easy as a few mouseclicks. With Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, you cancreate a mirror-image copy of any hard drive. Withpartitioning backup softwaresuch as Acronis Disk Director,or Windows Disk Management, you can even create a clone partition on the samehard drive (as long as you use two different drive letters and volumes).

The3-2-1 backup strategy

With many backup options and choicesavailable, you may wonder which one is right for you. The truth is that youshould never settle on just one type of backup. An excellent backup approachshould include multiple backup options and storage locations. At Acronis, werefer to this wise, efficient backup method as the3-2-1 rule. The 3-2-1 rulestates that you should:

• Create three copies of your data so that it can never be wiped out by a single event.
• Use two formats to back up your hard drive (such as a local drive backup and a cloud or external hard drive backup).
• Store one backup copy off-site to protect against physical disasters such as fires, floods, theft, etc.

When planning a personal backupstrategy, you should assume that a data loss event will occur eventually. Usingthe simple Acronis 3-2-1 rule and backup strategy, you can ensure your data isalways protected – no matter what happens.

Howto back up your computer hard drive

With some backup software,configuring, running, and managing backups can be tedious and time-consuming.But with Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, creating a backup couldn't beeasier. Check out the quick tutorial below to see how easy it is to create abackup using our backup software.

Localand cloud backup

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Officelets you configure and run quick and efficient hard drive backup. Whether youwant to back up your computer hard disk locally or to the secure Acronis Cloud,you can do either with just a few mouse clicks. This quick walkthrough willshow you everything you need to do to create a quick backup with Acronis CyberProtect Home Office.

Step 1 – Launch Acronis Cyber Protect HomeOffice on your computer. After the application opens, click "Backup"on the left side of the program window.

Step 2 – Hover your mouse cursor over themonitor image labeled "Entire PC". After the text changes,click "Change Source". The Backup Source window appears.

Step 3 – Select the source of the filesyou want to back up. If you're going to back up your whole system (includingthe operating system), click the "Entire PC" option. In thisexample, we will back up only a select folder, so click "Files andFolders", choose items for backup, and click "OK". Theselected folder now appears in the main backup window.

Step 4 - Hover your mouse cursorover the "Acronis Cloud" image. After the text changes, click"Change Destination." The Backup Destination window appears. Clickthe destination drive you want to use to store the backup. In this example, wewill use a local external hard drive, but the process for storing to theAcronis Cloud is the same.

Step 5 – Click the "OK"button, and then click "Back up Now". Wait for Acronis CyberProtect Home Office to back up the selected items. After the backup finishes, agreen check mark appears in the main backup window. The backup is now presenton the selected destination drive (or in the Acronis Cloud if you selected thatoption.)

How to restore data from a backup with Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office?

While creating accurate, thorough backups quickly is important, backup software is only as good as its ability to let you restore your data easily. With Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, you can restore backup quickly and confidently with only a few mouse clicks.

Step 1 – LaunchAcronis Cyber Protect Home Officeon your computer. After the application opens, click "Backup" on the left side of the program window.

Step 2 – Select the backup name on the left side of the main backup window. Use the checkboxes to select the items that you want to restore. If you wish to recover all items in the backup set, click the checkbox next to the "Name" label. Click the "Next" button.

Step 3 – Select the recovery destination folder or drive. By default, Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office selects the backup source location as the recovery destination. Click the "Recover Now" button. Wait for Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office to restore the backup to the selected destination. After a successful recovery, a green check mark appears in the main backup window.

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office —integrated computer security software with backup features

Acronis Cyber Protect HomeOffice (formerly Acronis True Image) offers everything you need to safeguardyour device and backed up data from all of today’s threats — from disk failuresto ransomware attacks. Thanks to its unique integration of backup andcybersecurity in one, it saves you time and reduces the cost, complexity, andrisk caused by managing multiple solutions.

Protect yourself from all cyber threats, and getAcronis Cyber Protect Home Officetoday!