How to Back Up Computer Windows 7 Before Upgrading to Windows 10 (2 Ways)

This post will teach you two ways to back up a Windows 7 computer before installing Windows 10. One uses the Windows backup and restore feature, and the other uses a backup and restore tool to protect Windows 7 data before upgrading to Windows 10.

Why Do you Back Up Windows 7 Before Installing Windows 10

Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system released by Microsoft as part of the Windows NT family. It was released on July 29, 2015. Windows 10 introduces what Microsoft described as a "universal Windows app" platform (UWP) that allows apps to be designed for Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile without needing to be re-written.

The operating system also includes new capabilities such as support for virtual hard disks, USB 3.0, Trusted Platform Module 2.0, and near-field communication. Windows 10 received mostly positive reviews upon its release. Critics praised Microsoft's decision to provide a free upgrade to Windows 10, its user interface and gaming features, but criticized the privacy controls that allow Microsoft to collect data from users.

In contrast, Windows 7 was released on October 22, 2009, and received positive reviews, with critics praising its expanded multimedia support and improved security and reliability over its predecessor Windows Vista. Reviewers worried about data loss when upgrading Windows 7 to Windows 10. Thus, it is crucial to back up your computer before upgrading to Windows 10.

Back Up Windows 7 PC Data Using Backup and Restore

Before you upgrade your Windows 7 computer to Windows 10, you must create a backup. This way, if anything goes wrong during the upgrade process, you'll be able to restore your files and avoid losing important data. Luckily, backing up your computer is relatively simple with the help of Backup and Restore (Windows 7). It is a built-in feature that allows you to create backups of your important files and folders. You can then restore these backups if you ever need to. To create a backup in Windows 7 with Backup and Restore, follow the steps below:

Preparations:

• An external hard drive (Connect It to Your Windows 7 PC)
• Your Windows 7 PC
• Your Windows 10 PC

Step 1. Click the Start button, then go to "Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore".

Step 2. Click "Set up backup". 

Step 3. Under "Backup Destination", select the external hard drive and "Next".

Step 4. Select "Let me choose" and click "Next".

Step 5. All files under Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos will be backed up by default. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the backup process.

To restore Windows 7 backups to Windows 10:

• Connect the external storage device where you backed up your files to your Windows 10 PC.
• Select the Start button, and then select "Settings".
• Select "Update & Security  > Backup > Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7)".
• Click "Select another backup to restore files from".
• Choose the backup created from your Windows 7 PC, and then select "Next".
• Choose the "Select all files from this backup" checkbox, and select "Next".
• Select "Restore" to start restoring files to the Windows 10 PC.

Back Up Windows 7 PC Data Before Installing Windows 10 with Software

The Backup and Restore feature in Windows 7 helps create backups of your important data. However, there are some limitations to keep in mind when using this tool. It can only back up files and folders on the same drive as the operating system. It means that users with multiple drives need backup and recovery tools to backup their data.

EaseUS Todo Backup is a comprehensive tool, offering a wide range of options for backing up your data. For example, you can choose to back up specific files or folders, or you can create a system backup. Besides, this file backup software allows you to create scheduled backups and choose where to store your backups. Finally, EaseUS Todo Backup provides excellent customer support if you have any questions or problems. Overall, it is a superior solution for backing up and recovering your data. Follow the steps below to back up Windows 7 computer before upgrading to Windows 10.

Step 1. To initiate a backup, click the Select backup contents option.

Step 2. There are four data backup categories, File, Disk, OS, and Mail, click File.

Step 3. On the left, both local and network files will be shown. You may extend the directory to pick the backup files.

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions and choose a location to store the backup.

Click Options to encrypt the backup with a password in Backup Options, then click Backup Scheme to specify the backup schedule and start the backup at a certain event. There are also other additional choices you may choose to tailor the backup process to your requirements.

Step 5. The backup may be stored on a local disk, EaseUS' online service, or NAS.

Step 6. EaseUS Todo Backup enables customers to back up data to a third-party cloud drive as well as its own cloud drive.

If you want to back up data to a cloud drive provided by a third party, choose Local Drive, scroll down to add Cloud Device, and then add and log in to your account.

You can also choose the EaseUS cloud drive. Sign up for an EaseUS Account, then click EaseUS Cloud and log in.

Step 7. Click Backup Now to begin the backup process. The backup job will be presented as a card on the left side of the panel after it has been finished. Right-click the backup job to handle it further.

If you prefer a video guide, you can check this video to learn the file backup guide in Windows 7.

• 0:00 Windows7/XP/Vista File Backup Introduction
• 0:25 How to Back Up Windows 7 with EaseUS Todo Backup
• 3:47 How to Restore Windows 7 Backups
• 4:05 The End

After the backup, you can restore image files with EaseUS Todo Backup on Windows 10.

Back Up Computer Windows 7 Before Installing Windows 10 FAQs

You have learned about the detailed process of backing up a computer in Windows 7 before installing Windows 10. You can read on if you still have problems getting additional help.

1. Will installing Windows 10 Delete everything from Windows 7?

No, upgrading from Windows 7 or later will preserve your files, applications, and settings. Although upgrading from Windows 7/8.1 to Windows 10 will not result in data loss, it is always a good idea to back up your crucial data just in case the upgrade does not run correctly.

2. How long does it take to upgrade from Windows 7 to 10?

It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. It depends on the speed of your Internet connection and your computer.

3. How much does it cost to have Windows 10 installed?

Windows 10 will cost $119 if you're not eligible for Microsoft's free upgrade. You can also download Windows 10 full version for free.

4. Can I restore Windows 7 backup to Windows 10?

Yes. To restore Windows 7 backup to Windows 10:

• Click the Start button, and then select Settings.
• Select Update and Security  > Backup > Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
• Click Select another backup to restore files.
• Choose the backup created from your Windows 7 PC, and then select Next.
• Select all files from this backup, and then choose Next.
• Click Restore to start restoring files to the Windows 10 PC.

Conclusion

It is always essential to back up your computer data before making any changes, especially when upgrading your operating system. There are two ways to create a backup image in Windows 7: the built-in Backup and Restore tool or third-party software. If you use the built-in tool, you must have an external hard drive or DVD burner available. Once you have created the backup image, you can install Windows 10.