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:
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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.
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Open File Explorer:
- Click on the folder icon on the taskbar or press
Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
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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.
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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.
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Copy the Selected Contents:
- Right-click on the selected items and choose 'Copy' from the context menu.
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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.
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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.
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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.