Windows inbuilt backup utility helps you keep an exact copy of data available on your computer or somewhere else and helps you restore whenever you need it back. Using inbuilt backup utilities, you’d be able to keep the important data safe and easily restore it in the event of failure or system inaccessibility. Previous Windows OS like Windows 8 or 7 already has some of the below mentioned features but you can find these tools way much improved and capable enough to perform flawless backup & restore procedure.

Read on the important inbuilt Windows 10 backup utility that ensures data safety and availability:

Backup & Restore

Microsoft has included back the Backup and Restore feature of Windows 7. This feature was taken down in Windows 8 and finally removed in Windows 8.1; it is back with windows 10. It is known as Windows Backup. This feature helps you to restore any backup from Windows 7 to Windows 10 system. And one can use it to back up Windows 10 PC in the same way you had backed up a Windows 7 PC. Windows Backup can be used with much ease to create a backup of anything to everything on hard drive, in comparison to Microsoft’s new File History. You can find this tool in Control Panel, search for backup to find it.

File History

File History feature was introduced in Windows 8, which reappeared in Windows 10. It’s one of the recommended ways to take back up. Thus File History is integrated in both the new the old Control Panel and Settings app. This feature has limitation that it backs up files located in user account’s libraries. One needs to select where backups are saved. One can select any external connected drive, such as a drive on a network or USB drive. File History backs up copies of files that are in the Music, Documents, Videos, Pictures, and Desktop folders available on your PC. If you want some other folders or files placed elsewhere to be backed up, you need to add them to any of these folders. Once files are placed, Windows will automatically create backup of your files. One can use to restore all the files if ever lost by restoring a single file, or roll backing a file to an earlier version.

Reset This PC

Mostly people uses the Reset this PC feature to restore their computer to its default operating state. This replaces the need to reinstall Windows from scratch using USB drive or an installer DVD. Just reset the PC and it will go back to factory default settings. Windows 8 had Reset this PC and Refresh this PC options. But Windows 10 have just one option Reset this PC. Go to Settings app-> select Update and security-> select Recovery-> click Get started button under option Reset this PC. This tells your Windows to keep user files but resetting the operating system installing programs to default state (refresh), or remove everything (reset). Reset feature is faster than reinstalling Windows in the old-fashioned way.

System Image Backup

System image backup feature is back after user outcry and is present in Windows 10 even. System image is exact copy of your drive. A system image includes all the drives required for Windows to run.Open the File History of control panel and then selects System Image in the side pane. This feature allows you to create entire image of the current system that includes the settings, operating system, installed programs and user files. The backup can be stored on several DVDs, an external hard drive, or on network location. If you want to move your computer back to a certain state, one can restore the backup. One can get their computer operating system back to the initial state using this feature and restoring the individual files and reinstalling all programs. When one restore computer from a system image, it is a complete restoration, one cannot choose individual items which they want to restore, all of your system settings, current programs, and files is replaced with the complete copy of the system image.

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OneDrive

OneDrive might not be really a backup solution, but it is integrated in the Windows itself. OneDrive is online storage that comes automatically with Microsoft account. It is similar to an extra hard drive that is available from any devices one uses. No need to carry around a USB drive or email files to yourself .Files which one store in OneDrive account will be stored in your online account so one can access them on from other devices also. If the Windows crashes away then you have to restart from scratch or have to use different Windows device or one can just log in Microsoft account and all your files will be available in File Explorer.

Taking backup using third party Free Backup Utility

The above mentioned options weren’t always helpful and requires advanced backup tools that scales the capability of taking data backup. AOMEI Backupper standard is a free backup software available for Windows 10 and helps you backup almost everything – Complete hard disk drive, any specific partition or backup files and folders. It can make the backup procedure automated so you don’t have to remember taking data backup again.

This tool has inbuilt capability to take differential/complete data backup and allows easy restoration steps in the event of failure or crashes. AOMEI Backupper standard gives you list of benefits that can be of hugely important in different situations like:

• Complete Backup & Fast Restore
• Clone drive or any specific partitions and keep it safe as long as you want.
• Clone system to migrate on another system or going with high capacity drives.
• Backup different version of Windows like Windows 10/8/8.1/7/XP/VISTA.

Apart from this, AOMEI Backupper Standard can check backup images created on any platform as well as let you create bootable media for easy backup files and disaster recovery environment. Since it’s a free application available for all the latest Windows OS, you can easily get it installed from the developer website and start creating unlimited backups or take complete image of an entire drive in few clicks. The standard edition is only for PC users, if you need sever backup software, then you can look at their sever edition.

Over the years here at Lifehack, we’ve discussed plenty of apps that you can use to improve your overall productivity.

There are certain ones that many of our contributors and editors (past and present) have adopted over the long-term — there are always the stalwarts that stick around. But there are also new apps that crop up every day, adding more and more depth to the app category.

Some of the apps are incredibly plain and simple, while others are more robust and offer more features than you can shake a stick at. And everyone has the one they prefer.

It’s been our job (and still is our job) to keep abreast of all of the productivity-type apps out there. As a result — and as a bit of a refresher — we’ve put together a list of 40 best productivity apps for iPhone to provide you with an all-in-one resource for you.

Productivity apps to help you get things done

1. OmniFocus

This app is, while pricey, considered to be one of the (if not the) most robust and full-featured productivity apps on the market.

Download it here.

2. Forest

Train yourself to put your phone down and stay focused on the task at hand by playing with this planting game. It’s fun and will help you achieve more.

Download it here.

3. Things

Another robust choice, this app is a favorite amongst “productivityists”.^[1]

Download it here.

4. 30/30

Recently covered here at Lifehack

, 30/30 is a newcomer to the game that incorporates lists and timing of tasks into an elegant and easy-to-use interface.

Download it here.

5. Any.Do

A beautiful-looking app that is both easy on the eyes and your wallet.

Download it here.

6. PocketLife Calendar

This calendar app is specifically designed to be stylish and super easy-to-use. You can organize your life easily with different modern features.

Download it here.

7. Asana

We’ve covered Asana here at Lifehack

, and it is being actively developed by a strong team committed to making collaborative task management a more efficient and effective experience.

Download it here.

8. ToDoist

This app keeps track of everything – from simple errands to your most important projects – so you can get it all done and enjoy more peace of mind along the way.

Download it here.

9. FlowTasks

From the folks at MetaLab, Flow is a gorgeous collaborative task management app that is easy-to-use and incredibly functional.

Download it here.

10. Calendars 5

This calendar app focuses on events that help you to keep track of upcoming events and tasks easily. It has everything you need to organize, track and complete your to-dos.

Download it here.

11. Clear – Tasks, Reminders & To-Do Lists

A fun and innovative list-making app that relies on swiping and pinching to make things happen. Clear created a lot of buzz when it launched, and might be the perfect to-do list gateway app for many.

Download it here.

12. Due

A robust reminders app that lets you store and maintain reminders of all types. It’s replaced Reminders for me when it comes to the basics, and it’s worth a look if you want to keep the mundane stuff out of your head and cluttering your mind.

Download it here.

13. Checkmark 2

I use this app

for location-based reminders (such as groceries I need to get or single items I need to pick up from various locations). Checkmark is simple to use and a valuable addition to my productivity arsenal.

Download it here.

14. TeuxDeux

Created by Tina Roth Eisenberg and Fictive Kin — Teux Deux is simple and incredibly stellar in terms of design. If you like lists (including the popular “Someday Bucket”) and want to associate dates with tasks, then Teux Deux will be right up your alley.

Download it here.

15. Wunderlist 

Another incredibly popular choice is Wunderlist. Part of 6Wunderkinder’s software family, it sports a gorgeous design and is incredibly functional. We’ve talked about the app a couple of times here at Lifehack, so check those posts out here.

Download it here.

16. Nirvana

For the GTD enthusiasts, there’s Nirvana. Straight from the source: “Nirvana frees your mind to focus on actually getting things done. If you’ve had enough of generic to-do lists, it’s time for Nirvana.”

Download it here.

17. Priorities

An elegant-looking task management app that has received decent reviews,^[2] this could be the one for you if you’re not a fan of OmniFocus or Things — especially if you need (or want) to share tasks with others.

Download it here.

Productivity apps that help you build habits

18. Productive

With this app, you can plan your habits with an easy-to-use interface, schedule habits for any time of the day, set smart reminders for each time of the day and stay on track with useful feedback. This app is perfect for anyone who wants to build a habit that sticks.

Download it here.

19. Habitica: Gamified Taskmanager

You can complete tasks and build habits in a more fun way with this app. Input your Habits, your Daily goals, and your To-Do list, and then create a custom avatar. Check off tasks to level up your avatar and unlock features such as armor, pets, skills, and even quests.

Download it here.

20. Streaks

This app follows the model of the popular “don’t break the chain method” in that you use the app to track how you are donig in the pursuit of your goal. Great for goal-setting — and an easy and elegant interface to boot.

Download it here.

21. Remember The Milk

Another popular to-do list app, Remember The Milk has a huge following. It has plenty to offer, including the ability to share tasks with others.

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Download it here.

22. Day One Journal

When it comes to journaling, nothing really beats Day One. Its latest update added a slew of features that will make you want to start making journaling a habit.

Download it here.

Productivity apps that makes organization easy

23. Evernote

Touted as the world’s most widely-used productivity app, Evernote an be used simply as a notetaking app or can be customized to be your GTD app of choice — among other things.

Download it here.

24. Pocket

You can save an article, video or link you want to read or watch later to Pocket from anywhere including your computer, Safari, email, and your favorite apps like Facebook, Twitter, Flipboard, and Feedly.

Download it here.

25. Sync.Me

This app identifies unknown phone calls, warns you from annoying spam calls, and adds a caller picture to your contacts from Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

Download it here.

26. Droplr

One of the most popular file-sharing apps out there today. Straight from the source: “Stay productive on the go. Droplr for iPhone keeps you in sync and makes sharing on the iPhone natural.”

Download it here.

27. Dropbox

Before iCloud, there was Dropbox. And there still is Dropbox, which is still widely used by both Mac and PC users all over the globe. It’s like having a flash drive in your iPhone. A must-have.

Download it here.

28. iDolly 

In conjunction with Dolly Drive and DollySync, iDolly allows you to edit and share your documents from your iPhone.

Since all your changes sync automatically to all your devices, the current version of a document will always be accessible because Dolly Sync keeps everything in sync. Very handy.

Download it here.

29. Soulver

It may seem odd that a calculator app shows up on this list, but this is no ordinary calendar app. Ben Brooks over at The Brooks review describes Soulver as follows: “It is what calculators would have been if they were invented at the same time computers were, instead of what we have with most calculator apps.” ^[3]

Download it here.

Productivity apps that help you work smart

30. Captio

A simple capture tool. Straight from the developers: “It’s simple. Open Captio and start typing. When you’re done, hit Send. The note is immediately delivered to your email inbox.”

Download it here.

31. Drafts

A tremendous capture tool that allows for simple capture, followed by sending items to various applications such as OmniFocus, Things and more.

Download it here.

32. NoteShelf 2

This is a perfect note-taking app for you. You can take beautiful handwritten notes, type, annotate PDFs, record audio & create lists. You can organize them into categories or groups.

Download it here.

33. Doodle

This app links directly with the Doodle service, which is one that allows you to plan and organize meetings far more efficiently and effectively. Lifehack contributor Steve Dotto has written about Doodle more in-depth here.

Download it here.

34. TextExpander (Legacy)

I have saved countless hours of time with TextExpander, and despite its inability to be as robust on iOS as it is on the Mac, it is still a worthy app to have in your arsenal.

Download it here.

35. Launch Center Pro

A quick launcher for the iPhone that doesn’t just launch an app…with some of them it can do much more. This app saves you time by launching complex actions in a single tap.

Download it here.

36. GoodReader

This may seem to be an odd one to make this list, but here are plenty of reasons why it is here with this article.

Download it here.

37. LogMeIn

Want to be able to control your Mac from wherever you are? Then get this app.

Download it here.

Productivity apps that improve security

38. 1Password

There is simply no better password manager out there. I’ve even put together a 1Password Emergency Kit worth looking at here.

Download it here.

39. LastPass Password Manager

You can store passwords and logins, create online shopping profiles, generate strong passwords, track personal information in photo and audio notes.

All you have to do is remember your LastPass master password, and LastPass autofills web browser and app logins for you.

Download it here.

40. Truecallers

Identify and block spammers, search for unknown numbers and call friends easily with this app. With a community-based spam list from over 250 million users, you’ll need this app.

Download it here.

There are plenty of other options out there (and we’ve heard from readers in the past as to what they enjoyed using), but these 40 are among the best.