How to Backup Windows 10 Before Upgrading to Windows 11

Why backup Windows 10 before upgrading to Windows 11?

All eligible Windows 10 PCs can perform a free upgrade to Windows 11. But before that, there is an important thing that needs to be done—backup Windows 10 before upgrading to Windows 11.

Here’s why it’s crucial to make a backup on Windows 10:

• Avoid Data Loss: If the upgrade fails (e.g., power outage, corruption), files could be lost. Also, some apps/settings might not migrate properly.

• Recovery Option if Windows 11 Fails: Some systems experience driver issues, crashes, or poor performance after upgrading. A backup lets you roll back to Windows 10 quickly.

• Prevent Software/Driver Conflicts: Older programs may not work in Windows 11. Backup ensures you can restore critical apps if they break.

Well, how to backup Windows 10 before upgrading to Windows 11? Three solutions are provided below.

3 solutions to backup Windows 10 before upgrading to Windows 11

In this part, I will introduce three methods to backup Window 10. The first one is using the best free Window backup software and the last two are using built-in tools provided by Microsoft.

👉 Solution 1: Backup hard drive before upgrading to Windows 11 with AOMEI Backupper
👉 Solution 2: Backup files before upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11 via File History
👉 Solution 3: Backup system before moving to Windows 11 through Backup and Restore🔥

Solution 1: Backup hard drive before upgrading to Windows 11 with AOMEI Backupper

Here I recommend to you a comprehensive backup tool, which can meet all your needs in different situations. AOMEI Backupper Standard is the best free backup software that enables you to backup files, system, disk, partition and then restore them. What makes it stand out from the crowd? Let's take a look.

All Windows PC operating systems like Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP are supported. However, if you are running Windows Server operating system, please turn to server backup software.

Next, I will show you how to backup hard drive before upgrading to Windows 11 via AOMEI Backupper. Take Disk Backup as an example, it will create a disk image of the specified hard disk, including the operating system, installed program, personal data, etc.

Step 1. Download, install and launch AOMEI Backupper. In the left panel, click Backup, and then select Disk Backup.

Tips✍:
☪ File Backup: Quickly back up files to different storage devices without taking up too much disk space.
☪ System backup: It involves all of the system files, boot files, and program files.

Step 2. Click “+ Add Disk” to choose the source disk that contains Windows 10.

Step 3. Choose the destination place you plan to store backup image to. Optionally, you can enable “Options”, “Schedule Backup”, and “Backup Scheme” in the left corner.

Tips✍:
☪ Options: You can write comments and modify the compression level of the backup here. If you want to encrypt your backups, please upgrade to AOMEI Backupper Professional Edition.
☪ Backup Scheme: You can enable this feature to delete old backup images to ensure that there is always enough space to keep the new backup images (available in the advanced version).

Step 4. After confirming all your settings, click Start Backup.

Solution 2: Backup files before upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11 via File History

File History will automatically create incremental backups of files stored in Libraries to a different storage device like an external hard drive or network share. In order to prevent you from data loss after upgrading the system, it is recommended to backup files in Windows 10 before upgrading to Windows 11 to an external disk. To backup up files via File History in Windows 10, the steps are as follows.

1. Connect an external hard drive to your computer and make sure it can be detected.
2. Open Settings from the start menu. Then choose Update & Security -> Backup.
3. In the backup window, click "+ Add a drive" button and select the prepared external hard drive.

1. Then, you will see an on/off button under a new link "Automatically back up my files". Turn on it and click More options to configure how often File History backs up, how long it keeps those saved versions and choose the folders you want to back up.

1. After that, click Back up now at the top location and start your file backup.

Solution 3: Backup system before moving to Windows 11 through Backup and Restore

Backup and Restore allows users to create system image backups as well as file/folder backups. It enables you to backup system in Windows 10 before upgrading to Windows 11. If you don’t like the features of the new system after using Windows 11 for a few months, you can use this backup to restore to the previous Windows 10. Backup and Restore supports backing up to both internal or external hard drives and also the network location. The steps of creating a system image backup through Backup and Restore are as follows.

1. Type Control Panel in the search box and click it. Click Backup and Restore (Windows 7) under System and Security.
2. In the left panel, click Create a system image. Then, it will start to scan your storage device and list all of them.

1. Then, you will be asked to choose a destination to save your backup. Select On a hard disk, choose a disk from drop-down menu, and click "Next".

1. The drives that are required for Windows to run are selected by default. You can add other drives to be backed up and click Next.
2. Confirm your backup settings and click "Start Backup".

After you have created a system backup, you will be asked to create a system repair disc, please do so if you don't have a bootable media. This method requires a CD/DVD disc. If you don't have any of them, you can use USB to create Windows 10/11 recovery drive.

From the above you can see the two built-in backup tools provided by Microsoft both have some shortcomings. File History can only take a regular backup of your desktop, documents, music, photos and videos and other files contained in your user folder to external hard drive or network share. You can’t use it to back up files to internal drives. Meanwhile, File History and Backup and Restore are not possible to backup files or systems to cloud drives. For all-around Windows backup solutions, please go to method 1.

Bonus: Can I still use Windows 10 after 2025?

After October 14, 2025, computers running Windows 10 will still function, but Microsoft will no longer provide the following:  

• Technical support of any issue

• Software updates

• Security updates or fixes

While you could continue to use a PC running Windows 10, without continued software and security updates, your PC will be at a greater risk for viruses and malware.

Conclusion

It is important to backup Windows 10 before upgrading to Windows 11. Although the two tools that Windows comes with can help you back up your system or files, many users report that there are many problems in the process of using them. Such as Windows 10 backup tools not working, File History drive is disconnected, etc.

AOMEI Backupper is an all-around backup software that can help you avoid these issues. And it also provides other powerful features to protect your computer, including Restore, Clone and Sync, etc. For example, it can help you when you want to migrate Windows 11 to HDDs or SSDs, you can use it to perform a bootable clone on Windows 11. Why not try it now?