How to Backup User Profile in Windows 11 Easily: 3 Ways

What is User Profile?

A User Profile is a collection of settings and information associated with a user. It contains your personal data, information for system needs, Desktop, Downloads, Documents, etc., system restrictions, app data, and applications, etc.

The system creates a User Profile when the user logs on to the computer for the first time. During subsequent logins, the system loads the user's configuration file, and then other system components configure the user environment according to the information in the configuration file. The settings in the User Profile are unique to each user. Other users cannot access these settings. Changes made to a user’s profile will not affect other users or the profile of other users.

Why need to back up Windows 11 User Profile?

Some users reported that they received a "User Profile Service failed the logon" error message in Windows 11. If you received the error message that your user profile is corrupted. What caused the User Profile corruption in Windows 11?

● Cause 1. Failed Windows Updates or Automatic Updates to Windows that involve an upgrade of critical system files (especially service pack installations) that update the user profile may result in this error.
● Cause 2. Damaged hard drive file system due to write errors, power outages or virus attacks.

As you can see, the User Profile contains all your important files and configurations. In order to avoid the occurrence of the above situation or the loss of the User Profile, it is necessary to back up it.

Also, when you buy a new computer or fresh install Windows on a new hard disk drive or solid-state drive, it can take a long time to customize your new Windows 11 computer exactly the way you want. If you have backed up the Use Profile, you can choose to restore the User Profile to save time and effort.

3 quick methods to backup User Profile in Windows 11

As you can see a User Profile is important for most Windows users. Learn how to backup it in Windows 11 from the respective guide as shown below.

Method 1: Backup Windows 11 User Profile using Windows backup utility

Backup User Profile in Windows 11 via Backup and Restore (Windows 7)

Firstly, you can perform Windows 11 backup User Profile using Backup and Restore (Windows 7). It is recommended to back up to an external hard disk, network drive or other offsite location.

1. Connect an external hard drive or USB to your PC to save the backup image of the User Profile.
2. Click on the Search icon (magnifier) in the center of the taskbar and type Control Panel in the search box. Click on the search result.

3. Click on Backup and Restore (Windows 7) in Control Panel.

4. Click Set up backup on this screen.

Note✍: If you’ve already set up a backup schedule, you will see a different window. In that case, click Change settings.

5. Select the external drive as the location to save the Windows 11 User Profile backup and click Next to continue.

6. On the next screen, select Let me choose and click Next.

7. Select a specific user library or all created User Profiles you want to back up. If you only want to back up the User Profile, please uncheck the "Include a system image" option and click Next.

8. On the next screen, it will provide you with a summary of this backup operation. You can customize the backup frequency by clicking Change schedule. If there is no problem, click Save settings and run backup.

Restore User Profile in Windows 11

1. Connect the external hard drive with your User Profile backup to Windows 11.
2. Open Backup and Restore (Windows 7) in the Control Panel.
3. Click Select another backup to restore files from to select the backup that contains Window 11 User Profile, and click Next.
4. Click Browse for folders and select the User Profile folder. Then click Next.
5. Select In the original location and click Restore.

Method 2: Backup and Copy User Profile in Windows 11 via advanced system settings

You can copy User Profile in Windows 11 by advanced system settings. The detailed steps are as follows.

1. Right-click on This PC, and select Properties to enter into the Windows settings menu.
2. Click System -> Advanced system settings.

3. Click Settings in the User Profiles section.

4. Select the Default Profile and click Copy To.

5. Click Browse to save the Windows 11 User Profile to the external hard drive you connected and click OK.

Method 3: Best free Windows 11 User Profile backup software

The third method is much easier than the first two methods. That is to use the most reliable Windows backup software - AOMEI Backupper to backup User Profile in Windows 11. The software is embedded with many functions to protect your computer. You can use it to:

✸ Back up various files/folders and any system to different storages, including internal/external hard drives, cloud drives, network location and NAS devices. For instance, you can set auto backup to USB drive.
✸ Perform incremental or differential backups which take less time than a full backup and keep your data up to date. Differential backup is available after upgrading to higher versions.
✸ Migrate user profile to new computer on Windows 11, like copying user profile from Windows 10 to another computer on Windows 11 or vice versa.
✸ Transfer your data and system to another drive easily. You can move Windows 11 to a new hard drive with this free software. Just a few clicks!

Learn how to backup User Profile in Windows 11 via AOMEI Backupper from the following tutorial.

Step 1. Download this freeware and install it on your computer.

Step 2. Launch AOMEI Backupper, click Backup and select File Backup.

Step 3. Click Add Folder to select the Windows 11 User Profile folders into the backup. You can select multiple User Profile folders to back up at once.

Step 4. Click the box below the arrow to select the location where you want to save the User Profile.

Step 5. (optional) If you want it to run automatically, click Schedule in the left corner of the interface to configure the frequency or interval. Then click OK.

Tip:
✭ Scheme: if you want to save storage space, you can check this option to auto delete old backups (supported by Pro edition).

Step 6. Click Start Backup to run the operation.

★ How to backup files to AOMEI Cloud

There is a growing trend to backup files to cloud storage. You can backup files to AOMEI Cloud if you have an AOMEI account. You'll get 1TB free storage for 15 days after you sign up for an AOMEI account.

Conclusion

That’s all for how to backup User Profile in Windows 11. You can choose one method according to your needs. Since the third method is the simplest and this powerful software can protect your data from all aspects, I strongly recommend you to try it. Try it to backup specific folders in Windows 11 now!