Th best windows backup software or utility for Windows 11/10 OS?

Manual backups are easy to forget or skip. Use Windows backup software that supports scheduled backups to ensure your data is consistently protected without requiring manual intervention.

When it comes the best Windows backup software. Using Borg combined with WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux 2) is a practical and cost-effective way to create a full backup of your Windows 11 laptop. Here's how it works in simple terms:

1. Install WSL2 on Windows 11: First, you enable WSL2 on your Windows 11 system. This allows you to run a Linux environment directly inside Windows without needing a separate machine or dual boot.
2. Set Up a Linux Distribution: Next, you install a Linux distribution like Ubuntu from the Microsoft Store within WSL2. This gives you a Linux terminal and environment on your Windows laptop.
3. Install Borg Backup: Inside the WSL2 Linux environment, you install Borg, which is a free and open-source backup tool designed for efficiency and security. Borg supports deduplication, compression, and encryption.
4. Create Your Backup: You then use Borg to back up your entire Windows filesystem. You can point Borg to your Windows filesystems (usually mounted under /mnt/c for C: drive) to include everything in your backup.
5. Store the Backup: The backups can be stored locally on an external drive, a network share, or even in cloud storage if you set up appropriate mounts or remote repositories.
6. Automate and Maintain: You can write scripts to automate backups, making them regular and hands-free, and Borg's features help keep backups efficient in size and secure.

Advantages:

• Free: Both WSL2 and Borg are open-source tools with no cost.
• Efficient: Borg's deduplication and compression save space.
• Flexible: You can choose where to store backups and automate the process.
• Seamless Integration: WSL2 runs smoothly alongside Windows, making it easy to access and back up your files.

Using a VHDX (Virtual Hard Disk) file for backups is an alternative method, but it’s a bit more advanced and less straightforward than using built-in tools or other Windows backup software. However, it can be a good option if you want a portable, flexible backup that can also be mounted and accessed like a virtual disk.

What is a VHDX?
VHDX is a virtual hard disk file format used by Hyper-V and Windows.
You can create a full disk image as a VHDX file and store it on an external drive.
Later, you can mount the VHDX file to access your files or even restore the system.

Pros:
Portable and flexible
Can be mounted directly in Windows to access files
Useful for creating a full backup that can be easily transported

How to use VHDX if as Windows backup software 

This process involves creating a disk image and converting it into a VHDX file. It’s recommended for users comfortable with disk management.

Basic Approach:
1. Create a disk image or clone your drive using a disk imaging tool.
2. Convert or save the image as a VHDX file.

If you are fining the best Windows backup software. Using Windows' built-in "Create a System Image" tool is a free, reliable, and straightforward way to back up your entire system. It’s perfect for beginners who want to ensure they can restore everything if something goes wrong.

How does Windows Backup Software work?

Step 1: Open Backup and Restore
Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
Type control and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
Navigate to System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 2: Start the System Image Creation
On the left sidebar, click Create a system image.

Step 3: Choose Backup Location
You will be prompted to select where to save the backup:
On a hard disk — select your external hard drive or SSD.
On one or more DVDs — not recommended for large backups.
On a network location — if you have network storage.
Select your external drive, then click Next.

Step 4: Confirm What to Back Up
The default option will select your system drives (usually C:).
Confirm the drives you want to include, then click Next.

Step 5: Start the Windows Backup software.
Review your choices, then click Start backup.
The process may take some time depending on the size of your data.

Step 6: Create a System Repair Disc (Optional but Recommended)
After backup completes, Windows might ask if you want to create a System Repair Disc.
If your PC has a CD/DVD drive and you have a disc, you can create one. Otherwise, skip this step.
Alternatively, you can create a bootable recovery drive via Settings in Windows.

My advice is not using the built-in Windows backup software as it was officially deprecated by Microsoft years ago and is no longer actively developed. It is notorious for failing with cryptic error codes (like "VSS" or "0x807800C5") that are nearly impossible to troubleshoot, often leaving you with a corrupted backup file just when you need it most. Even Microsoft’s own documentation has suggested users seek third-party solutions for full-disk recovery.

Furthermore, the newer windows backup utility found in modern Windows is not a true disaster recovery tool; it is essentially a settings synchronizer designed to push your files into OneDrive. It cannot create a "bare metal" image of your operating system, meaning if your hard drive physically fails or ransomware strikes, this app is incapable of restoring your computer to a working state.

Reliable protection requires a "system image"—an exact, bit-by-bit copy of your entire drive—which the built-in tools handle poorly or not at all. Third-party solutions like Veeam for stability or Hasleo for features use modern engines that verify backup integrity, ensuring that your recovery media actually boots and works during an emergency.

For total peace of mind, stick to the 3-2-1 rule using one of the free tools discussed: keep 3 copies of your data, on 2 different types of media (e.g., your PC and an external USB), with 1 copy stored offsite (or at least physically disconnected from your PC). This strategy remains the only effective defense against both hardware failure and malware.

+1 for Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows. It is a professional-grade backup solution originally designed for enterprise environments but available as a robust free version for individual endpoints. It is widely considered the "gold standard" for reliability because it uses the same engine that powers backups for Fortune 500 companies.

Unlike consumer tools that focus on flashy interfaces, Veeam prioritizes stability and data integrity, offering a "set it and forget it" experience that ensures your system can be fully restored (bare-metal recovery) even if Windows completely fails to boot.

Download and Install

Visit the Veeam website and create a free account to download the "Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows" installer. Run the installer. If asked for a license file, select "No" or "Free Edition" to proceed in free mode.

Create Recovery Media (Critical)

Insert a USB drive (at least 16GB). Launch the "Create Recovery Media" wizard from the Start menu.

Select your USB drive and ensure "Include network connections" is checked (this allows you to restore from a network drive if needed). Click Create to build the bootable rescue drive. Keep this safe; you need it to fix your PC if it crashes.

Configure Backup Job

1. Open the Veeam Agent console. Click the menu (three lines) and select Add New Job.
2. Name: Name your backup (e.g., "Full System Backup").
3. Backup Mode: Select Entire computer for the most complete protection.
4. Destination: Choose Local storage (for USB drives) or Shared folder (for NAS).
5. Schedule: Set your automatic schedule (e.g., Daily at 10 PM) and click Finish.

Veeam Agent is the best Windows backup software utility for users who prioritize absolute data safety over ease of use. While the interface is utilitarian and it limits you to a single backup job configuration (e.g., you cannot schedule a separate file backup and system backup simultaneously), its industry-leading reliability makes it the safest bet for disaster recovery.

Hasleo Backup Suite Free

Best For: Most users (The new "Gold Standard" for free features). Hasleo has emerged as the top alternative to Macrium Reflect as Windows 11/10 backup software. Unlike many competitors that lock essential features behind a paywall, Hasleo’s free version is surprisingly feature-rich, offering tools that are usually paid-only in other software.

Key Free Features:

Full System Backup & Restore: Create an exact image of your Windows installation.

Disk & Partition Cloning: Clone your old HDD to a new SSD (a feature often blocked in other free tools).

Incremental & Differential Backups: Saves space by only backing up files that have changed since the last backup.

Encrypted Backups: Password protect your data (AES 256-bit).

The Catch: It is relatively newer to the market compared to giants like Veeam Windows backup utilit, so it has less of a long-term track record, though reviews are excellent.