Windows Has a Secret Backup Tool – Here’s How to Use It

By Lance Whitney / Elyse Betters Picaro | August 12, 2025

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ZDNET’s Key Takeaways

• Windows has a hidden backup tool in Windows 10 and 11 that most users don’t know exists
• The tool can save files to discs, external drives, or network locations with customizable scheduling
• Microsoft has deprecated this feature, so occasional errors and compatibility issues may occur
• Despite being legacy software, it remains functional and reliable for most backup scenarios

Regularly backing up your files is essential insurance against data loss, whether from hardware failure, accidental deletion, or ransomware attacks. While countless third-party backup solutions exist, Windows has quietly maintained a powerful built-in backup tool that flies under most users’ radar.

Named simply Windows Backup, this feature offers surprising flexibility for a tool that’s been hidden in plain sight since Windows 7. It allows you to selectively back up specific folders and files or perform comprehensive system backups. The tool works identically in both Windows 10 and Windows 11, making it a consistent option across Microsoft’s current operating systems.

The Hidden Gem in Your Windows Toolbox

What makes Windows Backup particularly valuable is its simplicity combined with robust functionality. You can choose exactly which files to protect—whether that’s your entire Documents library, specific project folders, or just your desktop contents. The tool also theoretically supports full system imaging, though Microsoft has placed restrictions on where you can store these images.

Also: How to upgrade an ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 – 2 free options

The destination flexibility is another major advantage. Windows Backup supports backing up to:

• Recordable CDs or DVDs for archival purposes
• External hard drives for local redundancy
• Network locations for centralized storage management

You can also configure automatic scheduling, ensuring your backups run regularly without manual intervention. This makes it an excellent option for users who want reliable protection without the complexity of enterprise-grade solutions.

The Catch: Microsoft’s Deprecation

Here’s where the story gets interesting—and potentially problematic. Microsoft has officially deprecated Windows Backup, meaning the company no longer supports or updates the feature. This deprecation status has several implications that users should understand before relying on it.

In my extensive testing, the tool generally performs reliably for local backups. However, I’ve encountered persistent issues when attempting to use network shares as backup destinations. Despite confirming that network paths, credentials, and permissions were correctly configured, I consistently received errors stating that the specified network location couldn’t be used.

This appears to be a widespread issue, with numerous Windows users reporting similar problems across various forums and support communities. The exact cause remains unclear, but it likely stems from changes in how Windows handles network authentication and file sharing protocols in recent versions.

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Adding to the confusion, Microsoft confusingly offers a completely different tool also called “Windows Backup” in newer Windows versions. This newer version focuses primarily on migrating files and settings between PCs rather than functioning as traditional backup software. Microsoft’s tendency to reuse names across different products has certainly contributed to the obscurity of the legacy backup tool.

How to Access and Use Windows Backup

Despite its deprecation status, the legacy Windows Backup tool remains accessible and functional for most use cases. Here’s how to leverage this hidden feature:

Setting Up Your Backup Destination

First, prepare your storage media. For most users, an external USB drive offers the best balance of capacity, speed, and reliability. Ensure you have adequate space—typically 16GB to 32GB for basic file backups, though this varies based on your data volume.

If you’re determined to use a network location despite the potential issues, you’ll need to:

1. Click the “Save on a network” option
2. Enter your NAS or network drive path
3. Browse to select the specific share and folder
4. Provide network credentials when prompted

Also: After 30 years with Linux, I switched it for Windows 11 – and found 9 serious problems

Configuring What to Back Up

When configuring your backup, you have two main approaches:

• Let Windows automatically select files (includes libraries, desktop, and user profile locations)
• Manually choose specific folders and files for more granular control

I generally recommend the manual selection option, as it gives you complete control over what gets backed up and helps optimize storage usage.

Scheduling Your Backups

The scheduling feature is where Windows Backup truly shines for hands-off protection. You can configure:

• Backup frequency (daily, weekly, monthly)
• Specific days of the week
• Exact times for automated execution

I typically recommend weekly backups during off-hours (like Friday afternoons) to minimize performance impact while ensuring regular protection.

Restoring Your Files When Disaster Strikes

The true value of any backup solution becomes apparent during recovery scenarios. Windows Backup makes file restoration straightforward:

1. Launch the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) window
2. Click “Restore my files”
3. Choose between searching by filename or browsing through backed-up content
4. Select specific files or folders to restore
5. Choose whether to restore to the original location or a new destination

Also: How to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and why it greatly improves performance)

The ability to restore to a different location is particularly useful when dealing with corrupted files—you can preserve the original while testing the restored version.

Is Windows Backup Right for You?

Despite its deprecated status, Windows Backup remains a viable option for many users, particularly those who:

• Need a simple, no-cost backup solution
• Primarily back up to local external drives
• Don’t require advanced features like cloud integration or incremental backups
• Want scheduling capabilities without third-party software

However, you might want to consider alternatives if you:

• Rely heavily on network-based backups
• Need continuous data protection
• Require advanced encryption or compression
• Want cloud backup integration

The Bottom Line

Windows Backup represents a fascinating case study in software lifecycle management. Despite being deprecated, it continues to serve a valuable purpose for users who discover it. The tool’s combination of simplicity, flexibility, and zero cost makes it worth considering, even with its limitations.

For users who primarily need to protect important files to local storage, Windows Backup offers a surprisingly capable solution that requires no additional software purchases. Just be aware of its limitations, particularly regarding network backup functionality, and have a contingency plan if you encounter the persistent network share errors that have plagued many users.

The key takeaway is that sometimes the best tools are the ones already at your fingertips—even if Microsoft has tried to hide them in plain sight.

Tags: Windows backup, hidden Windows features, data protection, file recovery, system imaging, network backup issues, deprecated software, Windows 10, Windows 11, backup scheduling, legacy tools, Microsoft support

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