Backing-up Data on Windows

Backing up a user folder in Windows 11 to an external USB drive is a great way to keep your important files safe. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

1. Connect Your External USB Drive:

   • Plug your external USB drive into your computer. Make sure the drive has enough free space to accommodate the backup.

2. Open File Explorer:

   • Click on the folder icon on the taskbar or press Windows key + E to open File Explorer.

3. Locate Your User Folder:

   • In File Explorer, find the "This PC" section on the left side.
   • Your user folder is usually under C:\Users\[YourUserName]. Double-click to open it.

4. Select the Contents to Backup:

   • Inside your user folder, you'll see various subfolders like Documents, Pictures, Music, etc.
   • You can either select specific folders or the entire user folder for backup. To select everything, press Ctrl + A.

5. Copy the Selected Contents:

   • Right-click on the selected items and choose 'Copy' from the context menu.

6. Navigate to Your External USB Drive:

   • In File Explorer, find your external USB drive listed under "This PC" or "Devices and drives". It usually has a drive letter like D:, E:, etc.
   • Double-click to open the drive.

7. Paste the Copied Files:

   • Right-click on an empty space in the drive window and choose 'Paste'. This will start copying the files from your user folder to the external drive.
   • The time it takes to copy the files depends on the total size of the files and the speed of your USB drive.

8. Safely Eject the External Drive:

   • After the copying is complete, close File Explorer.
   • Click on the 'Show hidden icons' arrow in the taskbar (near the clock), then right-click on the USB icon, and select 'Eject [Drive Name]'.
   • Once you get a notification that it's safe to remove the hardware, unplug the USB drive.

Remember:

• Regularly update your backup, especially after adding important new files.
• Store your external drive in a safe place to protect your data.