Microsoft is offering a brand new backup app for Windows 11 and Windows 10 that you should use to again up your knowledge. The app is out there freed from cost in Windows 10 and Windows 11, however doesn’t supply a lot flexibility.

Only OneDrive is usually appropriate as a backup vacation spot. Anyone who depends on cloud storage can due to this fact profit from the brand new app. Anyone who doesn’t use a Microsoft account or doesn’t need to again up knowledge to OneDrive is not going to profit from this app.

Basically, Microsoft is increasing the backup and synchronization choices of Windows 10/11 with the app, just like Apple in macOS and iOS/iPadOS. Users also can use the brand new app to guard themselves towards knowledge loss as a result of ransomware. You also can use the app to maintain a number of PCs and their knowledge and settings synchronized.

Further studying: Best Windows backup software

Windows backup runs in parallel with the OneDrive consumer

To use the brand new backup app, open the app “Windows Backup” from the Start menu. Various choices can be found right here that you should use to again up a Windows pc. The settings listed here are unbiased of the OneDrive consumer.

You can due to this fact proceed to synchronize a listing on the native pc with OneDrive sooner or later. If the app doesn’t seem within the listing, it is best to replace your Windows system; integration takes place through a Windows replace.

The new Windows Backup can again up varied folders on the native pc to OneDrive. Incidentally, this works in parallel with different backup choices and in addition in parallel with the Windows 7 backup that’s nonetheless obtainable in Windows 10 and Windows 11. The new Windows Backup app can solely use OneDrive because the backup vacation spot, whereas you can too use the basic app to again up knowledge to exterior drives or the community.

The OneDrive consumer in Windows 10 and Windows 11 can nonetheless be managed through its icon within the system tray space of the taskbar. In the longer term, you’ll due to this fact be capable of synchronize particular person information in OneDrive utilizing varied instruments, again up varied folders, and again up knowledge domestically or to the community utilizing the basic backup. These three choices usually are not mutually unique, however run in parallel.

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All three apps due to this fact have their justification and allow very versatile backup strategies for Windows workstations with Windows 10 and Windows 11. The Windows Backup app can be superb if you wish to migrate from Windows 10 to Windows 11 or to a brand new PC with Windows 10 or Windows 11.

First steps with the Windows backup

After beginning Windows Backup, you’ll first see the title and sort of your PC on the high and when the final backup was carried out. Under “Folders” you possibly can see which folders on the pc have been coated by the Windows backup and whether or not they’re presently backed up. You also can see how a lot cupboard space the backup of this folder presently requires within the cloud. You can see the obtainable cupboard space in OneDrive on the backside of the window.

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Under “Apps” you possibly can see whether or not settings and the app listing of the PC are synchronized with the cloud. You also can verify beneath “Settings” whether or not the Windows backup additionally synchronizes choices akin to customizations. If you log in to a different PC with the identical Microsoft account, the info can be instantly obtainable right here.

The identical applies to knowledge from Wi-Fi networks or login knowledge, together with passwords. The Windows backup also can save this knowledge to the cloud in order that it’s obtainable on different PCs. Start the backup with the “Backup” button.

Configure the Windows backup

You can’t customise the Windows backup straight within the Windows Backup app. You can solely monitor and begin the backup right here. To make changes, open the settings in Windows 10 or Windows 11 and go to Accounts > Windows Backup.

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Use “Manage synchronization settings” to specify which native folders you need to again as much as OneDrive. Here you can too see the required cupboard space. You solely must activate the slider for the respective folder at this level.

You also can specify whether or not you need to again up your settings and the app by activating the respective possibility beneath Accounts > Windows backup.

Windows backup protects towards ransomware

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By synchronizing your essential knowledge with OneDrive, you can too shield your self towards ransomware with the brand new app. Open the Windows Security app and go to Virus and risk safety > Ransomware safety > Manage ransomware safety, you should use “Show files” to go on to the information in OneDrive to revive them if a pc has been attacked by ransomware.

Additional settings usually are not vital because the Windows Backup app takes over the ransomware safety choices of the Windows Security app.

The app could be very easy and might be arrange rapidly. If you employ a Microsoft account and are ready to again up your knowledge to the cloud, the Windows Backup app is a helpful backup and synchronization app with on-board instruments.

This article was translated from German to English and initially appeared on pcwelt.de.