How to make a backup of your entire computer for Windows 10/11?

Windows includes a native, albeit somewhat hidden, tool for creating full system image backups. This integrated feature, called "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)" in modern Windows versions, provides a no-cost, official Microsoft method to make a backup of your entire computer. It's a straightforward set-and-forget option for users who prefer to avoid third-party software. 

Step 1: Open the Control Panel, navigate to System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7). On the left pane, click "Create a system image".

Step 2: Select where to save the backup: on a hard drive (an external USB drive is strongly recommended), on DVDs (impractical for most), or on a network location.

Step 3: By default, it selects the system drive and any essential recovery partitions. You can include other internal drives if desired. Click "Next".

Step 4: Confirm your settings and click "Start backup". The process will run, creating a .VHDX virtual hard disk file containing your system's exact state.

Step 5: Upon completion, the tool will prompt you to "Create a system repair disc". You should do this on a USB drive, as it is the equivalent of rescue media for this backup method.

Step 6: Boot from the system repair disc/USB, select your keyboard layout, choose "Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Image Recovery", and follow the wizard to restore the entire image.

However, this trick only works for making a back up of Windows 7, Windows 10 and Windows 11. It works for both Windows PC and laptops.