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I've been instructed to do a factory reset on my Inspirion 16 Plus (Windows 11 Pro) to correct a going into recovery mode issue. Before doing that I need to create a system backup including all apps, documents, photos, video etc. How do I that to an external drive?
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Windows doesn't have an app that is currently supported for making image backups, so you'll need to use a third-party app. AOMEI Backupper has a free version and will make an image backup to an external hard drive. I've used it in the past and it works fine, but there is a learning curve with any image backup application.
I currently use Macrium Reflect, which does not have a free version.
(AOMEI Backupper is not a Microsoft product, and is not endorsed by Microsoft.)
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Hi,
Kayece here, An Independent advisor and a user just like you. I will be happy to assist you today.
I understand that you wanted to create a backup to your external drive before doing a factory reset on your Inspirion 16 Plus.
May I ask if you can go to your laptop home screen? If you could able to do so, please follow the steps below.
*To back up to an external drive, connect your external drive to your device, then open File Explorer.
*The external drive should appear in the left-side panel of File Explorer.
*Copy the content you want to back up by right-clicking on the folder or file and selecting Show more options > Copy or highlighting the folders and files and selecting Ctrl + C.
*Paste the copied files or folders into the external drive in one of two ways. Right-click on the drive’s folder icon and select Show more options > Paste or open the drive’s File Explorer window and select Ctrl + V.
Source: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/learnin...
Or create a recovery drive by following the steps on the support link below.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/cre...
If you are unable to boot properly, you may follow the recommended steps below to back files when Windows Won't Boot or start or follow the method on the videos.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbMXk1_n-7E
You can also do this in windows 11. Please download the Windows 11 installation media on the link below.
https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/win...
Hope this helps. if you need more assistance, let me know.
Stay Safe!
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