Backup vs. Clone: Which One Do You Actually Need?
Understand the difference before replacing a drive or building a backup plan.
Read guide →Backup & restore
A backup is only useful if you can restore it.
Choose a backup method based on what you need to recover: a single file, your Windows installation, or an entire failed drive.
Keep at least one copy separate from your PC. A backup connected all the time can be affected by the same failure, malware, or accidental deletion.
A safer sequence
Work through the problem in order.
01
Choose the scope
Decide whether you need file history, a system image, a drive clone, or a combination.
02
Separate the copy
Use another drive or an appropriate cloud destination rather than another folder on the same disk.
03
Test the restore
Open sample files and verify recovery media before an emergency makes the test urgent.
Guides
Start here.
A Simple Three-Copy Backup Plan for One Windows PC
Turn one external drive and one off-device copy into a backup routine you can verify.
Read guide →How to Restore an Earlier Version of a File in Windows
Check OneDrive, File History, and other low-risk version sources before scanning a drive.
Read guide →AOMEI Backupper Review: Features, Limits, and Who It Fits
A practical look at backup, restore, cloning, edition limits, and the checks that matter before you install or buy.
Read guide →