It's wise to regularly back up your laptop or system to either a local or cloud location. The purpose of backing up a Windows laptop is to create an exact replica of the OS, so you can easily restore it to a previous state in case of unexpected situations (like a ransomware attack) or hardware failure. By backing up data, you ensure redundancy for your most important files. Many issues we come across can actually be avoided by having a second copy of a backed-up laptop.
HP is one of the renowned computer brands and also one of the biggest-selling brands in the market. Their dominance in the market owes to their resilience with price control and upgraded technology. HP has many positives, such as being portable, well-built, and easily accessible. With a large user base, it means that many are exploring its various features. Among all characteristics, one essential aspect is how to back up your laptop.
There are typically two feasible ways to back up Windows 11/10 on your HP laptop. One is to use the best third-party backup and recovery software, and the other is to make the most of the built-in Windows Backup utility. We'll outline both methods for you.
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Todo Backup is a highly recommended backup software for backing up your Windows system, as it is both reliable and mature. Apart from that, it assists in backing up your hard drive, folders, and even the system while keeping your data intact and secure. It ensures a smooth process of backing up your HP laptop to an external hard drive without any data loss.
Its main features are as follows:
Now, click the Download button to get the Todo Backup tool and launch it to back up your HP laptop. If you want to save the backup on an external hard drive, connect it to the laptop in advance and make sure the computer recognizes the device.
Step 1. On the main screen, tap "Select Backup Content
Step 2: Click on Operating System in the list of four options.
Step 3: Todo Backup will automatically select your system partition; you just need to choose a backup destination.
Step 4. You can choose to save the backup file on your local disk or NAS.
5. After the backup is completed, you can check the backup status, recover, open, or delete a backup by right-clicking on the backup task on the left.
The Backup and Restore feature was first introduced in Windows Vista, and it's a relatively decent backup option for those who want to back up Windows to a local or external hard drive. Typically, Backup and Restore supports backing up all data files in your libraries, desktop, and the contents of default Windows folders selectively. Additionally, Backup and Restore creates a system image that you can use to restore Windows 11 when your system runs into trouble.
That being said, some users reported issues like Windows Backup not working or Windows Backup keeps failing after using this method.
You can use this Windows tool to back up your HP laptop. Here's how:
Step 1: Click the Start button, and then open Control Panel. Under System and Security, click Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
Click “Backup and Restore”
NOTE: This feature works on Windows 7, 10, and 11. If you're using Windows 8 or 8.1, it's best to use a tool like Todo Backup.
Step 2: Click Create a system image.
Step 3: Create an image of the system to save the backed-up system.
Create a system image
Step 4: Select the disk you want to back up.
Select the disk and click “Next”.
Step 5: Review your backup settings, then click Start Backup.
Related Reading: How to Download Windows 11 for HP Laptop
With all that said, you now have a clear idea of how to back up your HP laptop using third-party tools and inbuilt programs on Windows 11/10/8/7. If you don't have a large number of files on your OS, the built-in Backup and Restore utility could be a good option for creating local backups. However, before using it, you need to consider a few key limitations, such as a restricted number of system images and the absence of cloud backup options.
There is no need to worry about these drawbacks, though; simply opt for reliable software from the get-go. Download the Tool Todo Backup and follow the instructions above, and you will find it caters to all your everyday needs.
What is the 3-2-1 backup rule?
**2. How many GB do I need to back up my computer?**
A good rule of thumb for backup hard-disk capacity is that it should be 1.5 to two times the size of the computer's storage.
3. How do I back up my laptop to an external hard drive?