Windows 11 backup and restore questions


P

peterw4242

New member
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7:10 PM
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1
OS
windows 11
If I use the inbuilt windows 11 backup programme to make a complete system backup of my 3 HDDs and then do another say a week later, is the second backup an incremental one or another full one (just thinking about the time & space it would take every time) ?
Secondly if I do make a full system backup can I then select specific drives or folders/files to restore or do I have to do a complete system restore even though I might only have "lost" one of my 3 hard disks?

Would I be better off with a commercial programme?

Any help much appreciated
 
Windows Build/Version
windows 11 version 12H2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    hybrid
As shown on the icon in Control Panel the built-in backup is labeled with Windows 7. With more complex setups I'd go with a commercial program. I use a NAS drive attached to my LAN to store/access data from Wired and Wireless computers.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe M.2
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
If it's image backup, then the backup process is full.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
    Motherboard
    Erica6
    Memory
    Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC671
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
peterw4242 said:
Would I be better off with a commercial programme?
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum.
The answer to your question is YES. The backup feature in Windows is deprecated and even Microsoft advises use of a 3rd party backup solution. MOST 3rd party apps can do full, incremental, and differential backups. Some are paid and some are free. There are many, many threads on the forum regarding backup and imaging and a good number of different apps discussed. Of these different 3rd party backup solutions I believe I am safe to say that Haselo Backup Suite is the most recommended free one right now and Macrium is the most recommended paid one.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.3775
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme+256gb SKHynix m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+1tb Kingston m2.nvme+ 4gb Solidigm nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.3915
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Swift SF114-34
    CPU
    Pentium Silver N6000 1.10GHz
    Memory
    4GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 2TB
    Cooling
    fanless
    Internet Speed
    150 Mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot Secure Anywhere
    Other Info
    System 3

    ASUS T100TA Transformer
    Processor Intel Atom Z3740 @ 1.33GHz
    Installed RAM 2.00 GB (1.89 GB usable)
    System type 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor

    Edition Windows 10 Home
    Version 22H2 build 19045.3570
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Mini 210-1090NR PC (bought in late 2009!)
    CPU
    Atom N450 1.66GHz
    Memory
    2GB
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot
kelper said:
An image backup cal also be incremental or differential.
Click to expand...
The question is Windows 11 backup does a full backup or incremental image backup are you answering OP question because looks like not?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
    Motherboard
    Erica6
    Memory
    Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC671
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
I was replying to you. But you are correct that 'Backup and Restore (Windows 7)' does only full images.

But members have suggested alternatives where this is not so.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.3915
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Swift SF114-34
    CPU
    Pentium Silver N6000 1.10GHz
    Memory
    4GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 2TB
    Cooling
    fanless
    Internet Speed
    150 Mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot Secure Anywhere
    Other Info
    System 3

    ASUS T100TA Transformer
    Processor Intel Atom Z3740 @ 1.33GHz
    Installed RAM 2.00 GB (1.89 GB usable)
    System type 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor

    Edition Windows 10 Home
    Version 22H2 build 19045.3570
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Mini 210-1090NR PC (bought in late 2009!)
    CPU
    Atom N450 1.66GHz
    Memory
    2GB
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot
kelper said:
I was replying to you. But you are correct that 'Backup and Restore (Windows 7)' does only full images.

But members have suggested alternatives where this is not so.
Click to expand...
I create incremental image backup using Macrium Reflect i reply to OP question.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
    Motherboard
    Erica6
    Memory
    Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC671
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
I use TeraByte Drive Image Backup and Restore Suite. Using that and the supplied TBIView and TBIMount applications (both of which are free parts of the suite) it is possible to extract individual files/folders from a backup image file.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro. 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Customised "Chillblast Apex Intel Core i7 Office PC"
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-14700 (Raptor Lake)
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime B760M-A WiFi D4
    Memory
    32GB Corsair Vengeance LPX (DDR4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD 770 — onboard standard as supplied by Intel/Asus
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell P2421 24 inch WUXGA (1920x1200) 16:10 Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    First (Boot Drive Only): 2TB Samsung SSD 990 Pro.
    Second (Data Drive) 2TB Samsung SSD 990 Pro.
    PSU
    850W Corsair RM850x 80 Plus Gold
    Cooling
    Just standard fans for both the case and CPU.
    Keyboard
    Unicomp Model M (IBM Style keyboard)
    Mouse
    Wired Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1.6 MB/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft's Defender
  • Operating System
    Win 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 (16" Intel)
    CPU
    14th Generation Intel® Core™ i9-14900HX
    Memory
    32 GB DDR5-5600MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4080 Laptop GPU 12GB GDDR6
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600), IPS, Anti-Glare, Non-Touch, HDR 40
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    First (Boot): 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 TLC
    Second (Data): 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 TLC
    Mouse
    Wired Mouse
    Keyboard
    Per-Key RGB-Coloured Backlit - English (UK)
    Internet Speed
    1.6 MB/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft's Defender

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.3915
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Swift SF114-34
    CPU
    Pentium Silver N6000 1.10GHz
    Memory
    4GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 2TB
    Cooling
    fanless
    Internet Speed
    150 Mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot Secure Anywhere
    Other Info
    System 3

    ASUS T100TA Transformer
    Processor Intel Atom Z3740 @ 1.33GHz
    Installed RAM 2.00 GB (1.89 GB usable)
    System type 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor

    Edition Windows 10 Home
    Version 22H2 build 19045.3570
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Mini 210-1090NR PC (bought in late 2009!)
    CPU
    Atom N450 1.66GHz
    Memory
    2GB
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot
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