How to back up a Windows laptop or PC
File History, OneDrive and a proper external-drive routine. A realistic backup setup for Windows machines, without paid software.
Last updated 2026-06-12 · 5 minute read · Applies to: Windows laptop, Desktop PC
Windows machines usually die slowly: a failing hard drive clicks and slows down for weeks before it quits. That's recoverable *if* you act before the end. The setup below uses only what's built in: File History for versioned copies of your files and OneDrive for everyday documents. If your machine is already crawling, read why laptops slow down too; the same failing-drive warning signs apply.
1. Plug in an external drive
Like Time Machine on a Mac, aim for at least double your machine's storage. Portable USB drives around 1TB are the sweet spot for most laptops.
2. Turn on File History
Settings → search 'File History' (or Control Panel → File History on Windows 11) → select the external drive → Turn on. It keeps versioned copies of Documents, Pictures, Desktop, Music and Videos. Add other folders if your files live elsewhere.
3. Let OneDrive cover the everyday stuff
Sign into OneDrive and turn on folder backup for Desktop, Documents and Pictures (OneDrive → Settings → Sync and backup). The free 5GB suits documents; photos usually need the 100GB tier or the external-drive route.
4. Copy the things backups miss
Browser bookmarks export, saved game folders, email archives (PST files), and anything on a secondary drive: once each, onto the external drive. Five minutes that people skip for years.
5. Test a restore
Right-click any file → Properties → Previous Versions (File History) and restore one to the desktop. If that works, your safety net is real. If it doesn't, bring the machine in before it matters: free assessment.
Frequently asked questions
My laptop has started clicking or freezing. Back up first or bring it in first?
If it still boots: back up your critical files immediately, then bring it in. If it's clicking loudly, power it off and bring it straight in; continued running can make recovery harder. We do data recovery in-house.
Is OneDrive alone enough?
It protects against a dead laptop, but it syncs deletions and has limited version history, and 5GB fills fast. Pair it with File History on a drive for real cover.
Can you set all this up for me?
Yes. Backup setup is a standard small job, usually same-day. We'll size the drive, configure File History/OneDrive and show you how to check it. Book it in.
Related guides
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- Laptop running slow? What actually helps — Skip the registry cleaners. The real causes of a slow laptop (startup load, full drives, old hard disks) and the fixes that work.
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