Backup & Data Recovery guides
Keep a copy of what matters and get it back when something goes wrong: backups, restore points, drive health, and deleted files.
Where to begin
If you have just lost a file, stop saving to that drive. New data can overwrite what was deleted and make recovery harder or impossible. Check the Recycle Bin and any backups first, then move on to recovery tools.
If a drive is clicking, disappearing, or slowing to a crawl, treat it as failing. Copy what matters to another drive before you run any repairs, because repair tools put extra load on a failing disk.
If nothing is wrong yet, this is the best time to prepare. A restore point protects system settings and a backup protects your files, so you need both.
Start here
- How to Recover Deleted Files in Windows 11
Accidentally deleted an important document, photo, or video on Windows? Recover lost files with Recycle Bin, File History, and free recovery tools.
- How to Back Up Your PC with Windows Backup & File History
Set up File History and Windows Backup on Windows 11 so a deleted file or dead drive can't wipe out your photos, documents, and settings. Step-by-step.
- How to Create and Use a System Restore Point in Windows 11
Turn on System Protection, create a restore point before driver or registry changes, and roll Windows 11 back without wiping your files.
- How to Check SSD or Hard Drive Health in Windows 11
Read SMART status, use CrystalDiskInfo, and know when a drive is failing before you lose data. What Caution and reallocated sectors mean on Windows 11.
More guides (21)
- Fix External Hard Drive Not Showing Up in Windows 11
External drive not showing in File Explorer? Check Disk Management, assign a drive letter, fix USB power and drivers, and avoid the prompts that erase data.
- Fix Desktop Icons Missing or Disappeared in Windows 11
Desktop icons gone in Windows 11? Turn Show desktop icons back on, find files OneDrive moved, restore This PC and Recycle Bin, and rebuild the icon cache.
- Fix "Signed In with a Temporary Profile" in Windows 11
Blank desktop and a warning that you're using a temporary profile? Your files are safe. Here is how to restore the real profile before anything is lost.
- Fix "User Profile Service Failed the Sign-In" in Windows 11
Locked out with "The User Profile Service service failed the sign-in"? Repair the profile entry in the registry and get your account and files back.
- Fix Error 0x80070570: File or Directory Is Corrupted
0x80070570 appears when copying files, installing Windows, or updating. It usually means failing storage or bad install media: here is how to tell which.
- How to Fix the BitLocker Recovery Key Loop in Windows 11
Windows keeps asking for a BitLocker recovery key at every boot? Here is where to find your key, how to get back in, and how to stop the prompt returning.
- How to Fix Error 0x80004005 in Windows 11
0x80004005 is Windows saying 'unspecified error' with no detail at all. Here is how to identify which of the five real causes you actually have, and fix it.
- How to Fix Drag and Drop Not Working in Windows 11
Can't drag files in File Explorer or drop them on the taskbar in Windows 11? Clear the stuck drag state, fix Explorer, and rule out shell extensions.
- Fix "File Is Open in Another Program" in Windows 11
Windows 11 refusing to delete a file because it is in use? Find the process holding it, close the handle safely, and delete stubborn files and folders for good.
- Fix "You Need Permission to Perform This Action"
Access denied on your own files in Windows 11? Take ownership, repair broken permissions, and fix folders inherited from an old PC or user account.
- How to Clone a Hard Drive to an SSD in Windows 11
Move Windows 11 to a new SSD without reinstalling. Prepare the drive, clone the whole disk, fix the boot order, and verify the result step by step.
- How to Fix NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM BSOD in Windows 11
NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM blue screens mean Windows found damage in the file system. Repair the volume, test the drive, and protect your data, in order.
- How to Transfer Files from an Old PC to a New PC
Moving to a new Windows 11 PC? Transfer files, browser data, and settings safely with an external drive, network share, or cloud sync, step by step.
- How to Partition and Format a Drive in Windows 11
Need to split, shrink, or format a drive in Windows 11? Use Disk Management and diskpart to partition safely, pick the right file system, and avoid data loss.
- How to Fix "There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC"
Windows 11 reset fails with "There was a problem resetting your PC"? Repair the recovery image, use a cloud reset, and get the reset to finish.
- How to Fix Slow File Transfer Speeds in Windows 11
File copies crawling or dropping to zero? Fix the USB, network, and drive bottlenecks that slow Windows 11 file transfers, with step-by-step checks.
- How to Wipe a PC Before Selling or Donating It
Factory reset and securely erase a Windows 11 PC before you sell or donate it. Remove your Microsoft account, BitLocker keys, and personal files for good.
- How to Set Up Automatic Backups So You Never Lose Files
Hard drives fail, laptops get stolen, ransomware strikes. Set up automatic backups once and protect your files, photos, and documents for good.
- How to Organize and Back Up Your Important Documents
Scattered files, lost passwords, and no plan for emergencies? A simple system to organize, protect, and back up the documents that matter most.
- How to Reinstall Windows 11 Without Losing Your Data
Need to reinstall Windows to fix deep system corruption? Here's how to reset or reinstall Windows 11 safely without losing your personal files.
- How to Fix a Corrupted USB or External Hard Drive
USB drive or external HDD asking you to format it? Stop. Repair a corrupted Windows drive with chkdsk, recover the files, and avoid permanent data loss.