How to create Partition and Volume Backup in Windows Easily

The partition backup feature allows you to select the partition or partitions you want to back up and does so into a single image file. A volume is simply a partition that has a drive letter associated with it such as C, D, E: etc. although all are considered as partitions. If you need to back up all partitions on your drive, then it is recommended you use the Disk backup feature for greater convenience.

Partition backup or volume backup is typically used in the following scenarios:

• Data Backup: When you want to back up specific partitions or volumes containing important data or specific application data, you can use the partition backup or volume backup feature.
• System Backup: If you only need to back up the partition or volume where the operating system is installed, instead of the entire disk, partition backup or volume backup is a quick and efficient option. It allows you to quickly restore the operating system in case of system failure or reinstall, without restoring the entire disk data.
• Space Management: If your disk contains multiple partitions or volumes, and you want to back up and restore selectively as needed, partition backup or volume backup can help you better manage backup files and occupied storage space. You can choose to back up specific partitions or volumes, thereby saving storage space and improving backup and restore efficiency.
• Differential Backup: Partition backup or volume backup is often used in conjunction with differential backup. Differential backup refers to backing up only the data that has changed since the last full backup. By combining partition backup or volume backup with differential backup, you can perform a full backup and then backup only the changes on the partition or volume, reducing backup time and storage space requirements.

Create Partition/Volume Image Backup in Windows 10 step by step

Prerequisites for Partition Backup:

• Connect the drive on which there are partitions for backup.
• A target drive (with enough free space) that you can save the backup image to. A local path and Share/NAS devices are supported.
• Download and install CBackup on the computer. The partition backup is a free feature; you can download and use the freeware on the computer. 

Step 1: Initiate Partition Backup

Run CBackup, select the Backup tab, and then select Partition Backup.

Tips: You can name this backup using the "Task Name" field to help you distinguish it from other backups.

Step 2: Select Source Partition

Click "Add Partition or Volume" and select partitions or volumes that need to be backed up. 

Tips: For Partition Backup, you can add several partitions or volumes to be backed up. But when you need to restore the image file, you need to select the specific partition to perform the restore procedure on one at a time.

Step 3: Select Destination

Select a destination path to save the backup to. Supported destinations include local drives (internal/external), DVDs, and network-attached storage (NAS) or shared folders.

Step 4: Additional Backup Settings (Optional)

Additional features to further enhance functionality and convenience:

Options: There are various settings to enhance functionality and customization. These options include:

• Compression Level: Choose the desired compression level to optimize storage space usage while maintaining backup integrity.
• Encryption: Secure your backup by enabling encryption, which protects backup from unauthorized access.
• Splitting Image: Split large backup files into smaller segments for easier storage and compatibility with Different Storage Devices.
• Email Notification: Receive email notifications to stay informed about the status and completion of backup tasks, ensuring peace of mind and proactive monitoring.

Schedule Backup: Since systems and data are constantly changing, you can set up scheduled backups to automatically back up the system at specified intervals. You have the flexibility to choose from daily, weekly, or monthly backups. In the paid version, you can also utilize event triggers or initiate backups upon USB plug-in.

Backup Scheme: With backup schemes, you have the option to choose between incremental and differential backup methods. Incremental backup captures only the changes made since the last backup, while differential backup captures the changes since the last full backup. This flexibility allows you to efficiently manage backup storage. Additionally, the paid edition can automatically delete older backup images to free up disk space, ensuring optimal utilization.

Step 5: Start Backup

Click the "Start Backup" button and wait for the process to complete.

1. When the backup is running, you can click the underlined sentence to check the backup process in detail.

2. While a backup is running, you can also click an icon in the lower-left corner to set to Shut down/Restart/Hibernate/Sleep PC after backup completion. Please tick the box and then click "OK".

3. And, please kindly wait for the backup process to complete and then click the "Finish" button.

4. After backup is completed, it generates an xxx.adi backup image file in the destination.  After completing the partition/volume backup, you can easily restore your partition/volume in the event of a partition/volume crash. For more details about the restore steps, please access Partition/Volume Restore.

• Tip: If you would like to view the contents of the partition and volume backup without restoring a backup image or you would like to copy some files and folders in the backup image, you can double-click the .adi image file in Windows File Explorer to view and copy backup data, or use the feature "Explore Image" to mount the image.

• You can back up the C: drive via Partition Backup, but we suggest you back it up via System Backup. If you back up C: drive via Partition Backup, the system may not boot after doing the restore.

• CBackup Standard version does not support performing any operations for a dynamic disk.

• Partition Backup image file created by the dynamic disk can be recovered to the original location, other volumes on the dynamic disk or a basic disk.

• Backupper allows several partitions to be backed up/restored at a time.

Conclusion

Partition backup or volume backup is suitable for scenarios where specific partitions or volumes need to be backed up, system backup is required, space management is important, and differential backup is desired. These features provide more flexibility and precision in backup and restore options to meet specific needs.

FAQs

Q: Can I back up a system partition via partition backup?

A: Sorry, you can't; the restored system won't boot if you back it up via partition backup. For the system partition, please use the system backup.

Q: Is it possible to back up multiple partitions and restore to a single disk?

A: Yes, it is possible.