Windows 10 Laptop Backup Question

I know whether you want to do a clean reinstall of windows 10 or if something happens to your laptop, you should back up your files. I have backed up my important files and docs in an external hard drive and usb flash drive. However i do this by manually going to my documents and files and copy and pasting it to external hard drive. Others say yes that is a good way to do it. However, if something happens to my laptop or i get a new laptop with windows 10, sure i could transfer all the files and docs into the new computer or newly clean reinstalled windows 10 computer.


However, if you look at the desktop, its not going to look exactly like how my desktop looks and the programs thats under programs. Is there a way to do a windows 10 backup where you back everything up where... its in your external hard drive. Then if something happens to your laptop and you have to do reinstall of win 10... or you get a new computer with windows 10... then with the external hard drive you backed up... you could have all the desktop icons and programs that would look exactly like how it did before? Or is this not possible?


Because if this is possible, why do people not do this? Because not only do you have all your docs and files, you dont need to download all those programs that are shown in your desktop right?


And if this can be done, how long does it take and you need a 3rd party software for this? Or does windows 10 pro has this already? I have a dell xps 15 9550 with windows 10 pro and would like to do this because i want to encrypt my laptop with bitlocker 10 pro.


I have my files backed up manually but if i had to start with a new windows 10 computer, im going to have to download programs that are not in my external hard drive correct? Reason being im copying files and documents and not programs? Example, wouldn't that mean i won't have programs like skype, winamps and other programs?

 

As long as you have the Keys for those 3rd party software you can always reinstall them and then just copy your data back to the corresponding folder for those programs to find and use again.

This would require such programs like Acronis True Image to make a backup working image of your system so should the drive fail or get replaced you can restore back to the setup that it was when saved.

People do this to stop pulling their hairs out or what's left of it. Making images of the drive when it's working and stable is the best solution to restore and get back working. And copying the data created to a ext HDD or USB is the smartest way to backup those important files. It's time consuming but you will be glad you did.

Windows 10 does has something like sync program but that is connected to OneDrive through a Microsoft account. This to me isn't the smartest way since you need internet access to work.

In this instance if you created the working stable image before any problems this will include the 3rd party software so if you use a Imaging program like Acronis booted from Disc or USB you can restore the saved image back and your software will be ready to go.

As you can tell this is my method. This way I only restore the image then update the software and O/S and then remake the image all while having my created data on another Internal HDD not C: drive so that when I restore back I can just point the software to the save file location and continue where I left off. I've done this on Desktop and Laptop.

I do know Windows 10 has a backup feature but this takes alot of Disc unless you are creating the computer for someone and in that case it helps them restore should they have problems.