How can I backup windows 11 to external drive?

For personal file backup, the built-in File history app is the best free way to let you backup Windows 11 to external hard drive.

It automatically saves different versions of your personal files (documents, photos, music, etc.) to an external drive or network location, allowing you to restore previous versions if files are lost, corrupted, or accidentally changed. It runs on a schedule (e.g., hourly) and keeps historical versions over time, but it does not back up system files, installed apps, or the OS itself unlike a full system image backup.

Steps to backup Windows 11 to external hard drive

1. Connect your external drive to your PC.
2. Open Settings (Win + I) → System → Storage → Advanced backup options.
3. Under Backup using File History, click Add a drive and select your external drive.
4. Click More options to choose folders to back up and set frequency.
5. Click Back up now to start.

Pros:
Easy to Set Up – Built into Windows, no extra software needed.
Automatic Backups – Runs on a schedule (default: hourly).
File Versioning – Saves multiple versions of files for recovery.
Selective Backup – Choose specific folders to back up.
Quick Restoration – Easily recover deleted/modified files via File Explorer.

Cons:
Not a Full Backup – Only backs up user files (no system, apps, or OS).
Requires External Drive – Needs a dedicated storage device (USB/network).
No Compression – Backups can take up significant space over time.
Limited Customization – Fewer advanced options compared to third-party tools.
No Bootable Recovery – Can’t restore a dead system like a system image can.

Best for: Regular file backups (documents, photos), but not for full system protection.