Choose your language, then go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Image Recovery .
If you care more about your personal files (Documents, Photos, Music) than your OS settings, is the way to go. It works like a "Time Machine," saving versions of your files so you can roll them back to a specific date. Step-by-Step: Open Settings (Win + I). windows 11 system backup to external drive
Despite the name, this legacy tool is still the gold standard in Windows 11 for creating a —a complete "snapshot" of your entire computer. Step-by-Step: Connect your external drive to your PC. Open the Start Menu , type "Control Panel," and hit Enter. Go to System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7) . On the left sidebar, click Create a system image . Choose your language, then go to Troubleshoot >
Here’s a helpful, step-by-step guide to backing up your Windows 11 system to an external drive. Step-by-Step: Open Settings (Win + I)