Step-by-Step Guide to Schedule Automatic Full Backups on Windows 11 and Windows 10

Step-by-Step Guide to Schedule Automatic Full Backups on Windows 11 and Windows 10

For Windows 10 and 11 users, the built-in “Backup and Restore” tool enables you to set up automated full backups that encompass system files, software settings, applications, and personal data. This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions to help you configure and schedule these backups effectively.

While saving files to an external drive or using cloud storage safeguards your vital documents, it does not ensure complete system restoration. A full system backup creates a snapshot of the entire operating system, allowing recovery from potential disasters such as hardware failures, malware incidents, or software conflicts.

As a crucial point, remember that recovering your system and files will only be feasible from the most recent backup. This underscores the importance of regularly scheduling backups to mitigate data loss risks. Automating the backup process can save considerable time and hassle by allowing you to configure it through the Control Panel or Command Prompt.

Be advised that “Backup and Restore”is no longer actively supported and could be deprecated in upcoming Windows updates. Nevertheless, it remains a viable option for creating interim full backups, particularly before major system changes or upgrades.

In the following sections, I will detail the procedures for establishing automatic system image backups applicable for both Windows 10 and 11.

Setting Up Automatic Full Backups via Control Panel

To initiate the scheduling of automatic backups with the Backup and Restore feature, you’ll need to connect a **USB hard drive** (note that USB flash drives are not compatible).Follow these straightforward steps:

  1. Launch the Start menu.

  2. Type Control Panel into the search bar, then select the top result.

  3. In the System and Security section, locate and click on Backup and Restore.

  4. Select the “Set up backup” option found in the Backup section.

    Control Panel Set up backup

  5. Choose your external drive to save the automatic backups.

    Select backup drive

  6. Click on Next.

  7. Select “Let me choose” for backup options.

    Set up backup Let me choose option

  8. Uncheck all selected items.

  9. Activate the “Include a system image of drives: EFI System Partition, System (C:), Windows Recovery Environment” option.

    Set up backup with system image only option

  10. Select Change Schedule.

    Change backup schedule

  11. Enable the “Run backup on a schedule” option if applicable.

  12. Determine the frequency of backups (daily, weekly, or monthly) in the “How often” section.

    Configure daily, weekly, or monthly backup

  13. From the “What day” dropdown, select the day for the backup (if this applies).

  14. Specify the backup time in the “What time” section.

  15. Click “Save settings and run backup” to finalize the configuration.

Once you’ve completed these steps, an initial full backup will be created automatically. It’s worth noting that this guide primarily focuses on generating a system image backup, which is why I deselected individual items for backup. However, feel free to back up personal files as needed.

The “Data Files” option consolidates personal documents located in libraries (like Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos), desktop files, and standard user folders. Conversely, the “Computer” category encompasses a broader array of folders—often including entire drives—outside default user libraries.

It’s important to comprehend the distinction between the two backup options: “Data Files”and “Computer”allow for individual file restoration, while a system image serves to restore your entire system in catastrophic scenarios where the operating system may become inoperable.

If you encounter issues while configuring the backup schedule or wish to reset to the default settings, you can do so without hassle.

Setting Up Automatic Full Backups via Command Prompt

To create a full backup through the System Image tool using Command Prompt, ensure that you have your external drive connected with adequate space available. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the Start menu.

  2. Search for Command Prompt (or PowerShell), right-click on the result, and choose Run as administrator.

  3. (Option 1) To create a daily full image backup, input the following command and hit Enter:

    SCHTASKS /Create /SC DAILY /TN <TaskName> /RL HIGHEST /ST <Time24HrsFormat> /TR "wbAdmin Start Backup -backupTarget:<TargetDrive>: -include:<WindowsDrive>: -allCritical -quiet"

    Ensure to customize the command with the task name, schedule, and chosen storage location, as shown in this instance:

    SCHTASKS /Create /SC DAILY /TN DailyFullBackup /RL HIGHEST /ST 14:06 /TR "wbAdmin Start Backup -backupTarget:F: -include:C: -allCritical -quiet" Schedule daily full backup command

  4. (Option 2) To set up a weekly backup instead, input this command and press Enter:

    SCHTASKS /Create /SC WEEKLY /D <DayOfWeek> /TN <TaskName> /RL HIGHEST /ST <Time24HrsFormat> /TR "wbAdmin Start Backup -backupTarget:<TargetDrive>: -include:<WindowsDrive>: -allCritical -quiet"

    Again, adjust the command details as per your preferences, similar to the example below:

    SCHTASKS /Create /SC WEEKLY /D MON /TN WeeklyFullBackup /RL HIGHEST /ST 13:00 /TR "wbAdmin Start Backup -backupTarget:F: -include:C: -allCritical -quiet" Schedule weekly full backup command

Upon completing these steps, you will have successfully configured your system to perform an image backup of the entirety of your Windows 11 environment, including applications and settings, according to the schedule established.

Deciphering the Backup Command:

  • SCHTASKS: Commands the Task Scheduler for task management.
  • /Create: Orders SCHTASKS to initiate a new scheduled task.
  • /SC DAILY: Designates a daily backup schedule.
  • /SC WEEKLY: Sets a weekly backup schedule.
  • /D: Specifies which day your weekly task executes.
  • /TN <TaskName>: Defines the task’s title.
  • /RL HIGHEST: Executes the task with the highest administrative privileges.
  • /ST <Time24HrsFormat>: Formats the task start time in 24-hour notation.
  • /TR: Specifies which action will be initiated. Here, it’s the command wbAdmin for backups.
    • wbAdmin Start Backup: Activates the backup function.
      • -backupTarget: <TargetDrive>: Indicates the designated drive for backups.
      • -include: <WindowsDrive>: Signals the volumes to include in the backup.
      • -allCritical: Ensures all critical system volumes are backed up.
      • -quiet: Executes the backup without requiring user prompts.

To verify that your task has been successfully created, navigate to Task Scheduler from the Start menu. Within the “Task Scheduler Library, ” your created task should appear on the right. This interface can also assist in troubleshooting instances where backups fail. You can right-click the task in Task Scheduler and select Delete to cease creating backups.

Additional Insights

1. How often should I schedule my backups?

To ensure optimal data safety, it is recommended to schedule backups at least once a week. However, for critical data, daily backups are advisable to minimize potential data loss.

2. What should I do if the backup fails to run?

If your scheduled backup fails to execute, check the Task Scheduler to see if the task is enabled. Ensure your external drive is connected, and verify there are no permission issues preventing the backup from running.

3. Can I use a network drive for my backups?

While it’s best to use a dedicated external drive, you can configure backups to a network location, though performance may vary based on the network speed and stability. Ensure the drive is accessible during the backup schedule.

Source & Images

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