Use two separate safeguards: back up your personal files, and prepare media that can reinstall Windows. Windows Backup or File History can protect files; a Recovery Drive helps with Windows recovery but does not contain personal files. Before an infection happens, check that your backup works and keep your BitLocker recovery key somewhere accessible.
What to prepare before an infection
A useful recovery plan has three parts: a copy of personal files, a way to reinstall or recover Windows, and access to any encryption recovery key. No single Windows tool in this plan does all three.
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- Personal files: Use Windows Backup to sync selected folders to OneDrive, or File History to save copies to an external drive or network location.
- Windows recovery: Create a Recovery Drive while the PC is working, or prepare Windows installation media for reinstalling the operating system.
- Encryption access: Find and store your BitLocker recovery key somewhere you can reach if the PC is unavailable. Microsoft says it is needed for most Windows Recovery Environment options when BitLocker is enabled.
Microsoft’s Windows backup and recovery overview distinguishes personal-file backup from recovery media: a Recovery Drive does not include your personal files.
Choose a backup method for personal files
Windows Backup and File History serve different needs. Windows Backup is a cloud-based option for selected folders and some settings or app-related information; File History saves personal-file copies to a local or network destination. Neither should be mistaken for a complete Windows reinstall image.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
| Tool | What it does | Destination and requirements | Important limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Backup | Syncs selected folders and can back up settings and app-related information | OneDrive; the consumer Windows Backup app uses a personal Microsoft account | Cloud storage is limited; work or school accounts do not work with this app, and it is not a full Windows reinstall image. |
| File History | Saves personal files and earlier versions | External drive or network location | Requires separate setup and a destination with enough space for your files. |
| Recovery Drive | Provides Windows recovery files to help restore or reinstall Windows | USB drive created while the PC works | Does not include personal files; creating it erases the USB drive. |
| Windows installation media | Reinstalls Windows, including a clean installation | USB drive of at least 8 GB, according to Microsoft’s recovery options guidance | A clean installation removes files, apps, and settings from the selected Windows drive. |
| OneDrive Restore | Returns OneDrive files to an earlier state | OneDrive; restoring an entire OneDrive requires a Microsoft 365 subscription | For ransomware, connected devices must be cleaned before restoring files. |
Set up Windows Backup
Windows Backup is aimed at consumer devices using a personal Microsoft account. Microsoft says a free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of OneDrive storage; check that your selected folders fit and that OneDrive is signed in and syncing.
- Open Start and search for Windows Backup, or go to Settings > Accounts > Windows backup.
- Choose which of Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music to sync to OneDrive. Turn on any desired settings or app backup.
- Select Back up.
- Check the backup status in the Windows Backup app or Settings. If it reports a sign-in, sync, or storage problem, resolve it and verify the status again.
Microsoft’s Windows Backup guide explains the app’s account requirements and backup-status checks. Cloud backup is convenient across devices and avoids buying storage hardware, but it needs an internet connection. If you want a copy independent of cloud access, use File History with an external or network drive; Microsoft compares Windows backup choices in its backup-solution guide.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Set up File History
Connect an external drive or make a network location available, then configure File History in Windows to use that destination. It periodically saves changed personal files and can restore earlier versions. The storage requirement depends on how much data you need to protect and retain; the cited Microsoft guidance does not specify a universal drive capacity.
Prepare Windows recovery media
Create recovery media before you need it. A Recovery Drive contains essential Windows recovery files and can help restore a device, including after a hard-drive replacement, but it is not a file backup.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
- Connect an empty USB drive. Creating a Recovery Drive erases its existing contents.
- Open the Windows Recovery Drive utility and select Back up system files to the recovery drive.
- Follow the prompts to create the drive, then store it somewhere safe and separate from the PC.
If you need Windows installation media instead, Microsoft specifies a USB drive of at least 8 GB. If the affected PC cannot create media, use another working computer. See Microsoft’s recovery options for recovery and installation guidance.
Before relying on recovery options, locate the BitLocker recovery key if device encryption is enabled. Microsoft says most Windows Recovery Environment options require it. Its Reset your PC guidance also covers recovery-key considerations.
Rank #4
- 【Upgraded version】 - The mirror logo strip is combined with the striped non-slip design. The rounded corners of the shell are more suitable for holding. The strips play a heat dissipation function to ensure a stable and fast transmission process.
- 【Ultra-thin and quiet】 - The motherboard adopts JMicron 578 noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Pairing this external hard drive with JMicron 578 solution USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces enables blazing-fast data transfer. It boasts theoretical read speeds of up to 125MB/s and write speeds of up to 103MB/s.
- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
Recover Windows after suspected malware
Start with a Windows Security scan
Microsoft’s recommended first step for suspected malware is to run a virus scan using Windows Security. If the problem continues, its recovery guidance recommends reinstalling Windows from installation media and choosing a clean installation.
Understand what a clean installation removes
A clean installation removes Windows, personal files, apps, and settings from the selected drive. Back up important files before proceeding. After Windows is clean, restore only the personal files you need from a backup you trust; do not use the Recovery Drive as if it held those files.
Best Value
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
Use Microsoft’s recovery options in Windows for the current recovery route and installation-media instructions. The exact choices available can vary by Windows build, account type, edition, or organization policy.
Handle OneDrive files affected by ransomware
If ransomware has encrypted files synchronized with OneDrive, do not restore them while an infected device is still connected. Microsoft’s process is to identify suspicious files, clean or reset every device that uses OneDrive, and then restore OneDrive. Otherwise, files can be encrypted again after restoration.
Microsoft 365 subscribers can restore an entire OneDrive to a point within the last 30 days. For individual files, a previous version or the recycle bin may help; files permanently deleted from the OneDrive recycle bin cannot be recovered. Follow Microsoft’s OneDrive ransomware recovery instructions and Restore your OneDrive guide.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWindows 10 support status
Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. Free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes are no longer provided. If you still use Windows 10, plan a move to a supported Windows release; Microsoft’s Windows Backup guide also notes the support change.
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